Hampshire self-advocate Fahmina features in new book about learning disability, race and discrimination
Fahmina Hoque has said she’s proud of building up her confidence and “being able to be my authentic self”.
Fahmina Hoque (left) from Hampshire has featured in Double Discrimination, a new book written by journalist Saba Salman (right). Photo credits: Fahmina Hoque/Saba Salman
Fahmina, 27, features in Double Discrimination – a powerful, overdue exploration of how race and learning disability intersect, revealing complex challenges overlooked in mainstream debates.
The book is written by award‑winning social affairs journalist Saba Salman, who previously invited Fahmina to speak at a Learning Disability Network London event after hearing about her story through her work with us.
Double Discrimination talks about Fahmina’s experiences as a British Bangladeshi with a learning disability and autism, and how her journey to self-advocacy started with a conversation with VoiceAbility and its Speak Out Hampshire group, and continues through her work with the Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership (HLDP).
Fahmina (left) met Saba (right) during a Learning Disability Network London event. Learning Disability England co-founder Gary Bourlet is also pictured, centre. Photo credit: VoiceAbility
Chapter 10 – ‘Everyday Leaders: The Way Forward’ – starts with a quote from Fahmina:
It shouldn’t matter what colour you are if you have a hidden disability. We are humans. Having a hidden disability needs to be normalised. Why should people feel the need to hide away?
It goes on to describe Fahmina as a “younger, emerging voice in the campaign movement” and talks about how “the British Bangladeshi, now in her 20s, was only a teenager when she stood up to a racist”.
Fahmina says:
I’m shocked and I can’t believe I’d be part of this book by a journalist, I never thought I’d ever be in one.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to raise awareness within the wider communities about how individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds can also be neurodivergent. Many different cultures are not fully aware of the existence of neurodiversity (hidden disabilities).
“We can experience daily challenges, including facing hate based on our race, and also not being treated equally because we are neurodivergent.”
I sometimes face double discrimination for being different, for looking different, and for simply being myself.
“I’m proud of building my confidence and being able to be my authentic self, like no longer highly masking. I’m accepting my autistic and learning disability sides, putting my likes and dislikes first, accepting that it’s OK to ask for help when it’s needed, and no longer thinking about what others think of me. I recognise who to approach and not to approach, as not everyone is neurodiversity friendly.
“I’m really proud that ever since I moved to the Hampshire area, I’ve become part of HLDP, continuing to engage in communication with others and equally helping out the community.”
And I’m really proud seeing that as a team we are trying our best to reduce barriers. Most importantly, I’m proud of trying to remain confident in my own way.
Fahmina (right), pictured with Leon and Trish from VoiceAbility’s Speak Out Hampshire. Photo credit: VoiceAbility
“Outside of my work life, I’m proud of trying new things, even if it’s little thing and that’s a little scary for me, which was filling out forms for adopting felines by myself. I’ve successfully adopted two cats, which means my partner and I are now cat parents.
“My home is a safe place, as it has everything there for me: my art, my music, my laptop, my cats, and my partner. I love working from home for HLDP so much that I am considering opening up a side project, which is creating art posters and selling them online, with support from my partner.”
Fahmina with her new cats Pandora and Diatsi. Photo credit: Fahmina Hoque
Double Discrimination is available to buy from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and major retailers like Amazon.
You can find out more about VoiceAbility’s Speak Out Hampshire group, a voice for people in the county who have a learning disability, by visiting voiceability.org/speak-out-hampshire.
For more on the Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership, see hldp.org.uk.