As I have explained before, Remploy is a collection of sheltered factories designed to be a short term solution for a post-war era when it was assumed disabled people needing rehab type work before entering the mainstream job market. The factories failed on that part leaving disabled people in long term segregated employment. It is right that these factories close and current employees are supported to find new employment opportunities.


It is therefore interesting that there is now a divide between user led charities over whether than they are for or against the closures. I feel the divide symbolising the new two completed ideologies between the old social model disability movement and the new medical model sick and disabled movement which has arose since this government came into power. The old movement, which I mostly align myself to, believes in human rights, citizenship, equality and inclusion where disabled people have a right to participant in society, they have however not got around to the responsibility part yet. The new movement is simply about the right to be disabled and have the benefits associated with it, including cold hard cash. Their medical model need for people to pity them means they are against anything which does not treat disabled people no less than fragile china dolls.


Disability is in a mess and we are just seeing the start of it!