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Living Library Disability History Month 2025-2027. Were you there in 1995?
Were you there in 1995?
Difference North East wants to hear from Disabled people who were alive in the North East during the 1990s, when the Disability Discrimination Act was passed.
We are building a Living Library: a digital archive of recorded stories, available online and in libraries across the North East.
To take part you need to be a Disabled person born before 1990, living or working in the North East, and a free member of Difference North East.
You decide what you share. Nothing goes live without your approval.
Callout closes Friday 26 June 2026.
Email bex@differencenortheast.org.uk and allison@differencenortheast.org.uk
Researcher Callout – Researcher Disability Living Library Archive
Difference North East is looking for a Disabled researcher based in the North East to help uncover and preserve local disability history.
Working across 2026 and 2027, you’ll dig into archives held by local authorities and other institutions, exploring stories of figures like Mary Greaves, disability rights protests in the 1990s, and the history of workhouses and special schools in the region.
The role pays £275 per day for 10 days per year, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Grant.
Applications close midday 1st July 2026. Send a short expression of interest to bex@differencenortheast.org.uk and allison@differencenortheast.org.uk.
Share your PIP experience – Timms Review
Share your PIP experience Timms Review The government is reviewing Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We’re making sure disabled people’s real experiences are part of that conversation and we need to
Access to Work Parliamentary Inquiry
Access to Work and our report to Parliament
Access to Work is a government scheme. It helps Disabled people stay in work. It can pay for things like equipment, taxis, or a support worker. Parliament is looking at whether Access to Work is working properly. We sent them a report. Our report was based on what Disabled people across the North East told us. Many people had problems. The biggest problems were long waits, poor communication, and support being changed or cut without warning. Some people had good experiences. When Access to Work works well, it really helps people stay in work and do their jobs. We told Parliament five things that need to change so the scheme works better for everyone.