Access to the Everyday Report 2026: What Disabled People in the North East Are Telling Us
Disabled people in the North East told us everyday life is still too hard.
77 people shared their experiences.
Many said: Transport is unreliable or inaccessible! There are not enough accessible toilets! Services are confusing and stressful! Workplaces and buildings exclude them! They are treated without respect!
People want to be listened to and involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Access should not be optional. Everyone deserves to get around, use services, work, and be treated with dignity.
Read the full report to learn more and get involved.
Help Shape Disability History Month in the North East! We’re Recruiting!
Disability History Month is coming back to the North East: and we’re looking for a disabled person to help make it happen.
This paid freelance role supports events, venues, artists, and communities to make sure Disability History Month is accessible, welcoming, and led by disabled people. You’ll work flexibly, mostly from home, with support and reasonable adjustments built in.
The role pays £275 per day and is open to disabled applicants living in the North East. Applications close 13 February.
👉 Read the full job description and apply now.
Building Momentum for Fair Travel: MP & Mayor Support and Voices from Our Community
We are making progress in our campaign for fair and accessible travel. After we asked for change, Mary Kelly Foy MP confirmed she supports all of our actions. She will follow this up, and we will share updates soon. The North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, has also responded positively and is looking at our proposal.
This campaign is about disabled people’s real lives. Many people cannot travel when they need to. One member, Delta, shared how limited bus times and high taxi costs leave her feeling trapped. Fair travel would help disabled people live more independent lives.
We Want to Hear Your Access to Work Story
Has Access to Work helped you or let you down? Your experience matters and can help make real change in the North East. Deadline: 23rd Feb
Real Stories, Real Change. Help Shape Better Employment Support in the North East
We want to hear from disabled people in the North East who are not in paid work. Share your experiences and help shape better employment support. You will be paid for your time.
We’re also looking for three employers who want to show what inclusive work looks like.
Take part in interviews, discussion groups, creative photography, or filmed stories.
Sign up today using our online form or email us. Every voice matters, and together we can make work fairer and more accessible for everyone.
Driving Difference 2024-25
Disabled people across the North East made change happen in 2024-25.
We told our stories. We shared what barriers we face every day. Then we turned those stories into evidence that decision-makers had to listen to.
We wrote a 17-page report about transport problems. We campaigned when the government forgot about us. We trained police and council workers about disability.
When 18 MPs didn’t come to our meeting, we didn’t give up. We organized together. And we won a government meeting that didn’t exist before.
This is what happens when disabled people work together.
From Insight to Impact: Disability History Month 2025 Across the North East
Disability History Month 2025 Across the North East: Across the month, we delivered a wide programme of activity spanning public events, creative workshops, exhibitions, training and institutional talks. These took place across the North East, including Hartlepool, Newcastle, Billingham and online, and involved disabled people, allies, cultural organisations and public-sector institutions.
Budget 2025 Disability North East: Fix the Systems, Not the Rules – What This Week’s Budget Means for Disabled People
Fix the Systems, Not the Rules
This week’s Budget affects disabled people across the North East. Some changes, like ending the two-child limit, could help families and lift children out of poverty. But many measures focus on more checks and assessments, not on fixing the barriers that make life hard. Disabled people need income security, accessible systems, and a say in decisions that impact them. Tougher rules do not make life better, fairer, well-funded systems do. Change happens when disabled people and allies speak up together. If you agree, join Difference North East and help push for real change.
Breaking the Myths and Finding the Power in Disability History
Join us for a free talk with Claire Andrews from Difference North East this International Day of Disabled People. Learn about key moments in disability history, from banned sign language to protests that changed the law, and discover how the past shapes our future.
Wednesday 3 December 2025
1pm–3pm (Talk starts 1:15pm)
Billingham Library, TS23 2LN
Free – booking needed
Access: BSL, hearing loop, accessible toilets and parking.
Everyone welcome.
Book your free place and find the power in disability history.
The Support That Makes Our Work Possible
Difference North East is a community of disabled people. We are able to run events and create safe, accessible spaces because many people and organisations support us.
DARK shared their zines with us, helping us bring more disabled voices into our work. Local businesses like Drake the Bookshop make it easy for people to donate books. Venues such as libraries, theatres, and galleries let us use their spaces for free. Other organisations fund access, including BSL interpreters, so everyone can join in.
This support helps disabled people come together, share experiences, and take part. Join us for free