Disability History Archives - Difference North East

Budget 2025 Disability North East: Fix the Systems, Not the Rules – What This Week’s Budget Means for Disabled People

December 1, 2025

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.

Support Makes Work Possible: Collage-style graphic featuring the logos of organisations that support Difference North East. Visible logos include: ONE IT Services & Solutions, Disability Action Research Kollective, Newcastle Libraries, Northumberland Estates, Northern Stage, and Alphabetti Theatre. The background is dark with layered textures and circular date markers.

The Support That Makes Our Work Possible

November 25, 2025

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

Claiming the Normal. Photograph of Kev Howard's work for 'claiming the Normal' being exhibited in Newcastle Library

Claiming the Normal: Everyday Lives Through the Lens of Kev Howard

November 17, 2025

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!

Disability Discrimination Act Disability History Month: Black and white photographs with magenta overlay showing disability rights protesters marching with 'THESE CUTS KILL' banner, illustrating activism during Disability History Month and context for Disability Discrimination Act

30 Years On: Reflecting on the Disability Discrimination Act and Launching Disability History Month 2025

October 31, 2025

This November marks 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) became law. The DDA made it illegal to treat disabled people unfairly at work, school, in shops, and in public services. But full inclusion is still not here. Disability History Month 2025 explores this history under the theme “Disability, Life and Death”. It looks at how society values disabled lives, past harms, and how activism and community work continue to create change. Join events across the North East to celebrate achievements, share stories, and plan for a fairer future.

A colorful collage featuring overlapping protest imagery, banners, and circular date markers reading “1971,” “1980,” “1987,” “1999,” “2011,” and “2021.” A central figure holds a sign that reads “Cuts Will Kill — I am disabled not disposable.” Other visible text includes “Justice Not Charity” and “Block Telethon.” The artwork uses bold purples, yellows, blues, and greens with a textured, layered effect symbolizing decades of disability rights activism.

Join Us for Disability History Month 2025

October 20, 2025

Join Us for Disability History Month, 2025
Events, Learning and Action in the North East. November 15th to December 20th 2025

Ramping Up Rights: Teesside. Three disabled speakers sit in armchairs during the “Ramping Up Rights” event at Stockton Library. The person in the centre holds a microphone and wears a T-shirt that reads “#TakingThePIP.” A Joy Division bag is on the floor nearby. The setting is relaxed and informal, with bookshelves in the background and water glasses on a table in front. The image is tinted purple.

Ramping Up Rights: Disability Power in Teesside

July 11, 2025

Celebrate Wins & Keep Fighting: Ramping Up Rights Ignites Hope!

Rachel Charlton-Dailey’s “Ramping Up Rights” book launch in Stockton was powerful! We celebrated a huge win: community action forced the government to change harmful welfare plans. This proves together we win! This is important even if we’ve not got everything we want!

The book shows how understanding our history helps fight today’s battles. We heard moving stories, like Joy Dove’s fight for justice after losing her daughter Jodey to cruel benefit cuts. Sadly, while Joy spoke, her MP voted for more cuts.

The fight isn’t over. We need everyone! Join Difference North East to build community power, sustain the fight, and win more rights for disabled people. Get the book!