In a poignant tribute, the disability community mourns the passing of John Knight, a formidable champion for accessibility and equal rights. Knight, who succumbed to sepsis at the age of 67, left an indelible mark on the charity and public sectors through his unwavering dedication and mischievous spirit.
Knight’s legacy is defined by his instrumental role in the successful “All Aboard” campaign, which pressured the UK government to set a 2020 deadline for making all train carriages accessible. Recognising the urgency, Knight orchestrated a powerful demonstration, delivering thousands of postcards to MPs and peers, each bearing a message from a disabled person expressing the grim reality: “I’ll be dead before I can get on a train.”
This audacious tactic exemplified Knight’s dynamic personality, which friends described as both refreshing and, at times, unconventional. Known for his love of fireworks and adapting his crutches into makeshift mortar tubes, Knight brought a unique flair to his work at the disability charity Leonard Cheshire.
Despite facing profound disabilities from birth, Knight navigated a remarkable journey, overcoming adversity to become a leading figure in the charity and public sectors. His early life was marked by immense challenges, including a prolonged hospital stay and the amputation of his twisted legs, before finding stability and a sense of purpose through the Barnardo’s children’s charity.
Knight’s unwavering commitment to driving change from within the establishment, even as he faced criticism from other disability activists, was a testament to his pragmatic approach. His achievements included securing disability equality training for London bus drivers and safeguards for disabled people under Labour’s 2008 benefit changes.
In recent years, Knight’s advocacy extended to the contentious issue of assisted dying, a stance that once again divided the disability community. Undeterred, he championed the rights of those with terminal illnesses, becoming a board member and patron of the pressure group My Death, My Decision.
John Knight’s legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and an unyielding dedication to improving the lives of disabled people. His mischievous spirit and ability to navigate the complexities of the political landscape have left an indelible mark on the disability rights movement, inspiring a new generation of advocates to carry on his work.
