Bus franchising: have your say on accessible transport in the North East
Right now, private bus companies set routes, timetables, fares and service standards. An ‘Enhanced Partnership’ is in place, but bus companies still control key decisions. The proposal is a Bus Franchising Scheme. If introduced, bus companies would be contracted by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA) to run services. The public would have more say over services, timetables, routes and fares. This consultation asks for your views on that proposal.
Difference Yearly Report 2025-2026
Welcome to Difference’s Yearly Report. Difference thanks our funders, the National Lottery and their Reaching Communities Fund for funding our Driving Difference project, Heritage Lottery Fund for funding our Disability […]
Middlesbrough wheelchair-accessible taxis fallen 80%! & disabled people are being stranded
In Middlesbrough, wheelchair-accessible taxis have dropped from 150 to just 30 in six years. An 80% fall. This means many disabled people cannot get to hospital, work, or see family. The council scraps taxis when they turn 12 years old, even if they still work well. They are thinking of changing this rule, but it’s not enough.
This problem is happening across the North East. We are asking MPs for:
– Better driver training
– A national plan with targets
– Easy booking systems
– One place to report issues.
Share this story and tell us your taxi experiences. Disabled people have waited too long. We need action now.
PIP Review Confirms What Disabled People Have Been Telling Us
We’ve heard it from people across the North East for years: PIP isn’t working. This week, the government’s own review agreed. The interim findings from the Timms Review, the first […]
Andy Burnham Free Bus Pass
We’ve sent this open letter to the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, urging him to extend a change he already championed as Mayor of Greater Manchester, scrapping time restrictions on […]
Book Donation Drive 2026
Disability History Book Drive 2026 Last year we asked our community for help getting good disability books into more hands across the North East. It worked, and we’re doing it […]
Join the Artists Database
Difference North East are looking for Disabled zine makers, visual artists, and creative facilitators, based in the North East. We are creating a database of disabled creatives who can run creative workshops for young people: and we would love to hear from you.
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.
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