“We Want What You’ve Got”: Hartlepool’s Rights Fight
June 10, 2025
Hartlepool disability rights – Direct summary of community experiences from
Hartlepool disability rights – Direct summary of community experiences from
People met in Gateshead in May 2025 to talk about what life is like for disabled people.
Even getting to the meeting was hard because of transport, parking and access problems.
People shared stories about taxis refusing help, confusing signs, and public transport that is difficult to use.
They said services often expect everyone to use phones or read complex information, which does not work for many people.
Workplaces are not flexible, and support like Access to Work comes too late.
They want simple changes, better understanding, and more disabled people involved in decisions, so everyone can live well.
Have you ever felt left out of decisions that shape your everyday life? At Difference North East, we’re all about changing that. That’s why we recently ran an “On the Table” event for the Community Foundation’s Vital Signs report. This event brought disabled people together to share their experiences and talk about ways to make life fairer and more accessible. Here’s what we learned—and why you should join us to make your voice heard.
Transport accessibility is essential for enabling participation in everyday life, yet disabled people across the North East face barriers at every turn. Our response to the North East Mayoral Combined Authority’s Transport Plan highlights these challenges and offers actionable recommendations to create a system that works better for everyone. By embracing the principles of mobility justice, we can ensure no one is left behind.
This is a celebration of the early days of disability rights activism in the UK
Read about what it’s like to get an assistance dog.