Manchester Histories DigiFest 2020-Online Screening

Due to Covid19 Manchester Histories presents its first ever DigiFest, taking place on Friday 4 & Saturday 5th September 2020, transmitting live from Central Library’s Performance Space.

You can now see the online programme of events, to find out what’s on and how to get involved. Click here to see the programme. Click here to download the PDF.

Click here to watch the live stream from 6:50pm on Friday and 12-6pm on Saturday

Manchester Histories DigiFest 2020 will mark the 50-year anniversary of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (CSDPA) 1970.

This landmark legislation was pioneered by the late Lord Alf Morris, who subsequently became Britain’s first minister for disabled people. Often described at the Magna Carta for disabled people, this was the first disability rights legislation anywhere in the world and laid the foundations for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010.

Alf Morris was born and bred in Manchester and served as an MP for Wythenshawe. Throughout his lifetime, he campaigned tirelessly for the rights of disabled people.

DigiFest brings together disabled and non-disabled people, from organisations and as individuals, who have worked collaboratively to put together DigiFest 2020, with lots of additional content coming from a public call out.

Broadcasting live from Manchester’s Central Library, DigiFest will be hosted by multi-award winning artist and activist Jackie Hagan and leading the celebrations will be Lord Alf Morris’ family.

Jackie says, “I’m delighted to be hosting this event – to celebrate a local working class man like Alf Morris who worked so hard to give disabled people the legal recognition we need.

“We’ve got a fantastic array of talent on board and an exciting way of getting round lock-down that I think will mean more disabled and non-disabled people can attend.  People can come to hear so many brilliant disabled artists, a fitting tribute to Alf Morris and his work.”

Manchester Histories DigiFest 2020 is a collaborative programme between The University of Manchester, the family of the late Lord Morris of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester’s Students’ Union, the TUC (Manchester), Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. Manchester Histories DigiFest 2020 will also kick start other activity click here to find out more.