How to organise a more accessible protest

This page is part of a series on Disabled people’s rights, developed with Disability Rights UK (DRUK). See their website for a summary. There are also downloadable versions: a shorter pdf version, as well as small cards that you can print or save on your phone.

Disclaimer: the information on this website is for general information in England and Wales. It’s not intended to be used as legal advice. For information on how to get legal advice, please see our page here.

Include disabled people from the start

• Assume that disabled people want to protest. We can think creatively about ways to protest that allow as many people as possible to participate.
• Don’t assume Disabled people will have help. Many disabled people do have personal assistants and carers, but it’s important not to assume this. Places are more accessible if disabled people can navigate that area by themselves.

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Places and routes

1. Getting to the protest

• Public transport: where are the nearest stops, and are they accessible? For London, see TFL’s step-free station guide.
• Parking: is it available? Where is it, and are there disabled spots?
• Timing: avoid really early or late demos. It can take a while for people to leave the house and get home.

2. Getting around during the protest

This helps everyone, but especially those of us using wheelchairs or who have reduced mobility.

• Kerbs: how high are they? Are there any dropped kerbs?
• Roads and pavements: what’s the surface like? Let people know of potholes, gravel, grass etc.
• Sitting: check for benches, seats, or rest areas. You could bring portable seating.

3. The protest route

• Length of route: tell people so they can prepare. Some wheelchairs and mobility scooters can only go so far, and they need to go home after.
• Speed: can everyone keep up? Try not to leave anyone behind.
• Toilets: are there any, and are any gender neutral? Are there disabled toilets and do people need to bring a radar key or ask someone to unlock them?
• Charging: some people use battery powered assistive equipment. It can help people protest if they can charge their devices when out and about.

Considering others

• Quiet zones: this gives people a chance to regulate themselves and allows them to participate. Not always possible, but it’s something to consider.
• Tactics: Noises, bright lights and smells can trigger symptoms for people who are sensitive to these things. Smoke can make it hard to see, and some people rely on sight for communication. Let people know if you’re planning on using these tactics. You could also consider alternatives or only using them in certain places or times. You can include this in the accessibility statement.
• “Hidden” or less visible conditions: Some people wear sunflower lanyards. These help people communicate that that they have a disability and may have differing needs. Some people also wear medical alert bracelets, which help healthcare workers identify key information about them in an emergency. Be aware of these.
• Language: We are all free to describe ourselves how we want. However, avoiding language that equates being disabled with being a bad person helps people with stigmatised disabilities to participate.

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Giving information

Access or transparency statement

This is information on how accessible your protest is. It will contain information like that above. This helps people plan for the day. Try to check if the accessibility information you have is up to date and accurate. You can use this accessibility statement generator to make one.

• Access needs: if possible, have a way for people to tell you what they need to attend. This increases participation.
• Honesty is best: Some things won’t be accessible, despite our best efforts. Be honest if you can’t meet give full access information, or everyone’s access needs. It helps people decide for themselves.

Written information

• Keep it simple: use plain English and short sentences. Pictures can also help.
• Describe images and use alt text online: this helps our blind, visually impaired fellow protestors, as well as those who find images hard to process. See this guide for tips.

Talking and speeches

• BSL/sign languages: this helps Deaf and hard of hearing people know what’s going on, especially if there are speeches.
• Transcripts and captions on videos: Give written info in different forms, so people watching videos after can understand. Remember to be secure when sharing videos of protests.
• Hearing/induction loops: this helps people who use hearing aids.

Part of keeping people safe is making sure everyone knows what’s going on. This includes information:

• Before the march: time, place, whether masks will be provided, and how to keep yourself safe
• During a march: instructions from police, changes in direction, and other relevant information.

The more formats information is in, the more people you will reach.

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Know the law

1. Know equality law and disabled people’s rights

Disabled people often face discrimination, including from the police. While many disabled people do know their rights, it shouldn’t be their responsibility alone.

• Disabled people should not face discrimination when they are protesting because of being disabled. In some circumstances, they have the right to reasonable adjustments. This is when a service provider or a public authority must change their policy to make things less difficult for disabled people.
• However, Disabled protestors are often at greater risk of harm from police than non-disabled people. This includes information sharing tactics that target disabled people.

More people who can identify what is discrimination and unlawful behaviour means that more people can challenge it. You can read up on Disabled people’s rights here.

2. Know your rights

It’s everyone’s human right to protest. The police can only limit this right in specific circumstances, where

• the law allows this, and
• they have a good reason, and
• they’ve only limited your right as far as they need to in order to achieve that good reason.

The police can do this by putting conditions on protests or by banning a protest.

Keep up to date with developments on the law by reading our pages on:

• Changes to UK protest law in 2022 and in 2023
• Information on Palestine Protests
• Information on the Prevent programme

3. Know your obligations

In some situations, the law requires organisers to notify the police about protests. Read our page on organising a protest for more information.

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Other pages you might be interested in

Our website has more information on:

• Palestine Protests
• Prevent
  how to organise a protest
• what happens if you’re arrested at a protest
• protest bust cards (with translations)
• practical protest tips
• Filming the police at a protest
• a guide to kettling
• how the Policing (PCSC) Act 2022 affects your protest rights
• how the Public Order Act 2023 affects your rights

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