Tackling Disability Discrimination and Disability Hate Crime

All my life I have had to live with the fact that I am different. When I was born my parents were told that I would not walk or talk so the prejudice started from the cradle. During my very young years I came across hostility from other children but at least they were honest and naive and wanted to know what was wrong with me. As I got older the comments changed from curiosity to name calling, bullying and downright verbal abuse. When as human beings do we change from asking probing questions to fearing and abusing one another because we see difference? As a swimmer, I have found sport to be a great leveller. The 2012 Paralympic Games held in London opened people's eyes to the abilities and achievements of those usually labelled 'dis-abled'. This book tackles the prejudice I personally experienced and makes a step towards creating a society in which disability hate crime no longer exists.

Each chapter has been created to consider what is important in the engagement process and clearly indicates the definitions/conceptualisations of hate crime, with detailed discussions of a range of hate crimes... The material well planned, well organised and is accessible to those who know or who are new to the subject

Offering an engaging and diverse blend of personal, professional and academic perspectives on hate crime against disabled people, Shah and Giannasi have drawn together authors from varying disciplines to paint a rich picture of both the experience and its impact, and the needed responses to this entrenched social and criminal problem. This book both details the many insidious ways in which hate crime can persist in the lives of disabled people, and provides a multi-layered framework for action to combat it. Both a practically and academically useful work, it will no doubt be of interest to readers in the UK and more widely.

Readers from many backgrounds will find much to stimulate their thinking in this edited collection of essays from academics, activists and policymakers. Disability hate crime has moved from being a poorly understood subject on the margins to a central part of the equality agenda for disabled people. Paul Giannasi, who has headed the British government's hate crime programme for many years and Robina Shah, an academic specialising in social care, have much to contribute. This book will further the debate about this critically important issue.

The important link between disability discrimination and disability hate crime is one we have needed for some time. In this publication we are given a good insight into this key area. Having worked with Paul for several years I know of his diligence and concern in raising awareness of this added burden facing disabled people. I welcome and recommend this publication for filling in some very critical gaps.

This important new book outlines the challenges posed by disability hate crime and the urgent need for meaningful action to support victims. Its combination of professional, personal and academic reflections offer unique depth and context to this subject area and fresh perspectives on ways to deliver improved responses.