2026 Access to the Everyday Report

Access to the Everyday 2026 is a report from Difference North East, built from conversations with disabled people across the North East.

People told us the same thing again and again: the basics are not working. Everyday life is shaped by barriers, not choice, and too often people feel dismissed, judged, or blocked from accessing what should be available to them.

Our report sets out what needs to change, based on lived experience. Because access to the everyday is not a luxury. It is a right.

Key Findings

88%

of disabled people felt disrespected, judged or dismissed

64%

faced barriers using public transport

68%

struggled to get information or support