When Disabled people organise, we make change happen
A small group of Disabled activists in Hammersmith & Fulham
achieved what no one else in England has done—and changed
the way their council thinks about disability forever.
WATCH OUR STORY
This film documents 8 years of campaigning that ended home care charges, protected the Independent Living Fund, and established the UK’s first co-production model led by Disabled people.
This Is How We Did It—And How You Can Too
HAFCAC closed in March 2021 as we had achieved all our aims, but our victories live on. This website preserves our story and resources for Disabled activists everywhere who are fighting for their rights.
What we achieved in Hammersmith & Fulham can happen in your community, too.
In October 2025 we launched our film £12.40 an hour for a shower… the story of how we won the campaign.
The film has reignited Disabled people in the Borough to defend the policy going into the 2026 local elections.
What HAFCAC Achieved
Three groundbreaking victories. Fifteen years of sustained grassroots organising. Thousands of Disabled lives transformed. Here’s what happened when ordinary Disabled people refused to accept discrimination.
Ended Homecare Charging
2015
Hammersmith & Fulham Council stopped charging Disabled people for essential support to live independently. And continues to do so 10 years later.
2,000+ people freed from charges (and counting)
Protected Independent Living Fund
2015
Ring-fenced ILF support packages when the government fund closed. No other Local Authority in England made this commitment to Disabled residents.
Funding protected until 2020 and beyond
Revolutionary Co-Production Model
2018
Created the UK’s first Disabled People’s Commission, making co-production the default way decisions are made in the borough—with us, not to us.
First in the country
HAFCAC Podcast
Hear the Stories Behind the Victories
Founding members share the strategies, setbacks, and breakthroughs that made HAFCAC’s campaign successful. Essential listening for anyone building a grassroots movement for disability rights.
The Strategies that Won
We weren’t funded. We didn’t have big resources. Just Disabled people who knew our rights and refused to give up. These are the practical tactics we used—and you can use them too.
In memoriam…
Debbie Domb: A Fearless Freedom Fighter
“Debbie will always be a fearless and principled freedom fighter for Disabled people’s rights. She gave her all to whatever needed to be done, giving much of her precious energy to get behind the campaign to end discriminatory homecare charging.”
Debbie Domb (1958-2018) was a founding member of HAFCAC. Her name is on the legal case that challenged the council. She was almost crushed by police at a peaceful ILF demonstration. She is why 1,231 people today don’t pay for basic support.
“Debbie Domb was one of the people that played a pivotal role in setting Hammersmith & Fulham on a course to make our borough the most accessible community in the country for Disabled people.”
— Cllr Stephen Cowan, Council Leader
Your Turn to Make History
HAFCAC proved that grassroots organising works. That Disabled people can win. That change is possible when we fight together. Now it’s your community’s turn.
Stay Connected
Follow us on social media for updates, inspiration, and connections to the wider disability rights movement.
£12.40 an Hour for a Shower selected for showing at the Together Festival 2025 (LINK)
Film also selected for showing at the London Lift Off Festival 2025 (LINK)
