Difference North East - Changing Perceptions of Disability
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Category: Human Rights

Finding Power in Disability History. Historic images of disability protest. Overlaid with colourful geometric patterns

Breaking the Myths and Finding the Power in Disability History

December 1, 2025

Join us for a free talk with Claire Andrews from Difference North East this International Day of Disabled People. Learn about key moments in disability history, from banned sign language to protests that changed the law, and discover how the past shapes our future.
Wednesday 3 December 2025
1pm–3pm (Talk starts 1:15pm)
Billingham Library, TS23 2LN
Free – booking needed
Access: BSL, hearing loop, accessible toilets and parking.
Everyone welcome.
Book your free place and find the power in disability history.

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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.

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Community event promoting Cleveland Police & Crime Plan 2024–2029 highlighting priorities such as improving safety and tackling Cleveland Disability Hate Crime, with Difference Members standing beside awareness banner and with PCC Matt Storey

Shaping Cleveland’s Disability Hate Crime Strategy

September 22, 2025

On 15th September, Difference North East joined Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey at a Hate Crime workshop. Claire spoke about Disability Hate Crime. She said many crimes are not reported, and we need better awareness, education, and training. Deaf and Disabled people must be involved from the start in planning safer communities.

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Collage of disabled activists and disabled people protesting welfare reforms and gathering in Difference NE community events, overlaid with the words "Department for Work & Pensions" in bold black letters. Some protest signs read “THESE CUTS WILL KILL” and “PIP = 0% FRAUD”. The image is tinted purple and promotes solidarity and resistance in response to the Universal Credit Bill.

Reflecting On The Universal Credit Bill And Why We Now Must Rest To Resist

July 17, 2025

The Universal Credit Bill – What Happened and What’s Next

On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, MPs voted on changes to benefits. These changes will make life harder for many disabled people. Only 9 North East MPs voted against the changes.

This was upsetting. But we are proud of how disabled people came together to fight back.

The fight is not over. The Bill still has to go through more checks. More changes could happen.

We need to rest, take care of each other, and get ready for what’s next.
Because care is resistance. Rest is resistance. Community is resistance.

Join us. Together, we are a roar.

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Disability Rights Community, Darlington. Stylised image with a purple background and purple overlay. A teapot pours liquid into a teacup that is already stacked inside another teacup, causing it to overflow. To the left is a sugar pot with a spoon, and to the right is a decorated cake topped with macarons and fruit. At the top left, there are two logos: the "Difference NE" logo with the text “Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join!” and a second logo reading “D.A.D” with teal letters bursting through a red brick wall.

Disability Community, Darlington, Tees Valley

June 1, 2025

People met in Darlington in May 2025 to talk about their lives as disabled people. They shared honest experiences about transport, money, health, and support for their children. Many said getting around is hard. Taxis refuse equipment. Buses do not use ramps. Streets are difficult to use. Forms and benefits systems are stressful and confusing. People must fight for help they are entitled to.
Parents said they often battle alone to get support for their children.

Everyone wanted the same things. Fair treatment. Simple adjustments. Enough money to live.
They want a local community, led by disabled people, supporting each other and speaking up together.

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Oxevision Lampard Inquiry NHS surveillance - A black and white hand-printed poster with the words “STOP OXEVISION.” The text is surrounded by images including a person slumped over, another figure looking at a screen in a room decorated with lights, and a third figure sitting or kneeling. The style is expressive, with rough textures and bold line work

Surveillance is not safety: Now more than ever

May 20, 2025

Rose Powell from ‘Stop Oxevision’ tells how her group was stopped from speaking at the Lampard Inquiry on 14 May 2025. They had worked for two years to collect stories from mental health patients. They were meant to share this, but the hospital trust sent in another statement and their talk was pushed back. Rose explains why cameras in hospital bedrooms can be harmful and why public money should not be spent on unsafe tech instead of real care.

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