Disability History Archives - Difference North East

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!