From the collective

Off Our Backs, Nov/Dec 2002

This issue of off our backs is the first of a two-part series devoted to examining the issue of women with disabilities. off our backs was the first publication to publish an issue on women with disabilities twenty-one years ago-back in 1981! Since that time, a multitude of serious issues-marginalization, abuse, poverty, unemployment, and inadequate health care, among many others-still affect women with disabilities.

In general, there is still not enough focus on disability issues among feminists. It is important to realize that women with disabilities often don't conform to the stereotypes of a "good" woman, wife, and/or mother and so experience both ableism and sexism simultaneously.

We introduce our special issue with an overview of issues to consider in relation to women and disability. Next, there is an article on the rights of disabled women to have and keep their children in the context of abortion rights. Women with disabilities write about trying to get health care through Medicare and about struggling to maintain identity as a woman while respecting one's disability. A blind woman writes of her struggles to maintain independence when faced with the unwanted interventions of strangers, and a young woman comes to terms with her diagnosis of cervical cancer. Finally, there is an analysis of interviews with disabled women at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival and reactions to the issue of nudity and acceptance of the female disabled body at the festival. We've also included some essential web resources on women and disability-let us know if you know of any others that should be added to the list.

In other articles in this issue, we have coverage of the latest anti-corporate globalization protests that took place in Washington, D.C., over the weekend of September 27-29. We also bring you a recap of the unusually political opening ceremony of the recent Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. There is a fascinating retrospective of the important contributions of women to the early punk rock movement (lest these talented women be written out of music history). Finally, there is a review of an important new book, September 11: Feminist Perspectives, and of the latest issue of the British radical feminist publication, Trouble & Strife, which also deals with feminist responses to September 11.

As always, we have the latest of the all-important must-be-read Dykes to Watch Out Forcartoons as well as announcements of upcoming feminist festivals and conferences.

Remember, off our backs is here for you, so if you have something you want to share with other feminists, just send it our way!

In sisterhood, the off our backs collective