Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation

British organization

Also known as: UPIAS

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

The Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) was a British organization formed in 1972. It was instrumental in politicizing disability in the UK and abroad, viewing disability within cultural, social, and political contexts rather than solely through a medical or psychological lens. UPIAS challenged the idea of a normal-abnormal binary, suggesting that a range of human variations are normal. This organization's roots are in the disability rights movement of the 1960s, and it inspired the formation of academic groups like the Society for Disability Studies in the United States.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

disability studies
In the United Kingdom the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS), formed in 1972, was instrumental in politicizing disability in the U.K. and abroad. In the United States the disability rights movement advocated for legislation relating to the civil rights of individuals with regard to employment, education, and…
Read More
In the United Kingdom the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS), formed in 1972, was instrumental in politicizing disability in the U.K. and abroad. In the United States the disability rights movement advocated for legislation relating to the civil rights of individuals with regard to employment, education, and…
Read More