On Monday, 13th January 2025, we lost a pioneer of the Independent Living movement in the United Kingdom and Europe, and one of the founders of the European Network on Independent Living – John Evans OBE.
As tributes from across Europe pour in, we are reminded of how lucky we were to have John amongst us, as a friend, mentor and a constant source of support. Fighting alongside us for independent living, against institutions and leading the way. We last heard from John during the Freedom Drive on 24 September 2024, when he addressed ENIL members and allies on the occasion of our 35th anniversary. In his powerful speech, John reminded us of the importance of fighting for our rights and not ever being complacent.
John was born in Swansea, Wales on 25 May 1950. In his youth, he travelled around the world, practiced yoga and meditation and was among a group running a peace project in Jerusalem. After becoming disabled during a stay in the US, he was first supported by friends, but eventually ended up in a Leonard Cheshire institution called ‘Le Court’. John described his escape plan and the eventual break out from the institution in a book ‘From Le Court to Strasbourg – Fighting for Independent Living for 30 years’, published in 2014 by Spectrum CIL (formerly Hampshire CIL).
As part of what was famously called ‘Project 1981’, John convinced the local authorities to give him and other disabled people a budget to employ their own personal assistants. He moved into his own place in Petersfield, Hampshire and got his freedom back. This was the beginning of independent living for John, but it changed the lives of countless disabled people too. John described his journey in a short film he co-produced in 2022 with his wife, Jana Bleckmann-Evans, called “My Fight for Freedom”.
John went on to establish the European Network on Independent Living in Strasbourg, in 1989, alongside late Adolf Ratzka and many others. He always stressed it was not just him and that the fight for independent living and other rights was a collective effort. John was closely involved in ENIL’s work throughout his life, until the very end. Between 1996 and 2014 he served as ENIL’s President for 10 years, as well as representing ENIL on the Board of the European Disability Forum.
With his powerful speeches and clear messaging, John addressed many Freedom Drives and travelled to Strasbourg and Brussels until recently, when he was no longer able to, due to his health. He was radical in his fight for independent living and against any form of segregation, yet had the ability to convince many politicians to do the right thing. Thanks to his diplomatic skills and warmth, he made sure ENIL received its first operating grant from the European Commission in mid 00s.
After the passing of his fellow freedom fighters Judy Heumann and Adolf Ratzka (as well as Bente, Martin, Kapka, Gordana, Peter and many others…), John could not believe he was still around. Especially after his diagnosis with cancer in 2018, when he sent his goodbyes. But, he kept going, working on co-production, doing training, sharing his expertise and documenting the story of his life and that of the independent living movement – all with his wife Jana by his side.
He shared his thoughts with ENIL about the past, present and the future of Independent Living in this interview for the International Journal of Disability and Social Justice, in September 2022.
Now John is gone too and it is up to the rest of us, especially the young generations, to continue his legacy and the fight for freedom for all disabled people. We will not let him down.
We extend our deepest condolences to John’s wife Jana Bleckmann-Evans, his family, friends in England, the UK and everywhere.
Read the tribute to John in the Disability News Service
