We Want to Hear Your Access to Work Story
January 13, 2026
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
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
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.
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.
Claiming the Normal: Everyday Lives Through the Lens of Kev Howard. The exhibition of portraits of Disabled people opened today in Newcastle Central Library- more details here!
Join Us for Disability History Month, 2025
Events, Learning and Action in the North East. November 15th to December 20th 2025
Read about how we are trying to make it easier for disabled people to use buses.
Here are 5 ideas that can make transport better for disabled people. so that they can travel more easily.
People in Stockton-on-Tees met in May 2025 to share their experiences of disability and everyday life.
They talked about transport problems, with very few accessible taxis and buses that do not always provide clear information.
Shops and public places were often hard to use, with not enough Blue Badge parking or mobility equipment available.
Many people described stressful benefits assessments and systems that make them fight for support.
They also spoke about losing jobs, rebuilding confidence, and finding strength through community.
The group wants practical changes and to be involved in decisions, so access is designed with disabled people, not without them.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has just announced
The government’s Pathways to Work plan ignores disabled people. It makes big changes to benefits (like PIP and Universal Credit) but won’t let people have a proper say.
❌ Key problems:
There were no meetings in the North East (only Leeds/Glasgow).
Online sessions filled up fast.
Easy Read versions came 3 weeks late.
💬 Disabled people say:
“I needed work adjustments but was ignored.”
“Train stations still aren’t accessible.”
“They said my cerebral palsy ‘wasn’t disabled enough’.”
We demand:
Stop the changes.
Listen to disabled voices first.
Fix the unfair system.
Act now! Sign our campaign or email hello@differencenortheast.org.uk.
“Nothing about us without us!”