Simon Duffy is Fighting for Independence

When we think of moral agents, the mind goes first to the figureheads. Emmeline Pankhurst. Nelson Mandela. Dr King. But many suffragettes led the fight for fair votes, and the leadership of the anti-apartheid and civil rights movements was similarly broad based.

In this weeks podcast, Simon Duffy describes the background, characteristics and contributions of several leaders of the movement that has secured, is still securing, independence and autonomy for people with intellectual disabilities.

Simon has played a big part in this story. He was part of the coalition that, over a four decade period, fought for the rights of people with disabilities to move out of the warehousing of Dickensian institutions and into the community. And then when they were in the community, to release them from the grip of professionals who saw themselves as indispensable. 

Simon is part of the global Citizen Network that works on the principles of community, justice, inclusion, democracy and environment. Simon’s book with Wendy Perez Everyday Citizenship: Seven keys to a life well lived is available from Redpress. 

The conversation between Michael and Pritpal in the postscript reflects their views.

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Ratio Talks is produced with the help of sound designer Nik Paget-Tomlinson and creative director Richard De Angelis. The show’s theme song is by Luca Picardi.

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