- Conference
- 2026 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 17 October 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes:
a)Many Black disabled women are not only managing their own impairments but also have significant caring responsibilities including for children, elderly relatives, or other disabled family members.
b)These dual roles often lead to increased isolation, stress, and barriers to accessing employment, healthcare, social support, and full participation in UNISON.
c)Black disabled women carers face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and caring responsibilities.
d)Research consistently shows that Black disabled women are more likely to experience poverty and underemployment, and that those with caring responsibilities often lack adequate workplace and trade union support.
e)The double burden of caring while managing one’s own disability can have significant emotional, physical, and financial impacts.
f)Existing support systems too often fail to meet the specific needs of Black disabled women carers, operating in silos that ignore the intersection of disability, race, gender, and unpaid care work.
Conference believes:
i)UNISON must champion the rights and needs of Black disabled women with caring responsibilities as a priority group.
ii)Reps must be trained and supported to challenge employer and government policies that fail to address these intersecting inequalities.
iii)The voices of Black disabled women carers must be heard and amplified within our union structures and wider society.
iv)Flexible working, access to reasonable adjustments, and targeted support services are essential to enabling this group to remain in employment and participate fully in union and public life.
Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to:
1)Work with UNISON’s National Black Members Committee to raise awareness of the specific challenges faced by Black disabled women carers.
2)Develop guidance for branches on supporting members with dual identities as Black disabled people and as paid or unpaid carers, with particular attention to Black women.
3)Work with UNISON Labour Link to campaign for stronger legal protections and rights for Black disabled carers, including paid carers’ leave, improved benefits, and accessible respite services.
4)Work with UNISON College to ensure that equality training and women’s resources explicitly include the experiences of Black disabled women with caring responsibilities.
5)Promote the creation of safe, supportive spaces within UNISON where Black disabled women carers can connect, share experiences, and influence policy.
