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

Report 2026 Disabled Northeast: A disabled woman navigating a pavement with accessibility barriers in Darlington town centre

Access to the Everyday Report 2026: What Disabled People in the North East Are Telling Us

February 12, 2026

Disabled people in the North East told us everyday life is still too hard.
77 people shared their experiences.
Many said: Transport is unreliable or inaccessible! There are not enough accessible toilets! Services are confusing and stressful! Workplaces and buildings exclude them! They are treated without respect!
People want to be listened to and involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Access should not be optional. Everyone deserves to get around, use services, work, and be treated with dignity.
Read the full report to learn more and get involved.

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Insight Impact Disability History Month

From Insight to Impact: Disability History Month 2025 Across the North East

December 19, 2025

Disability History Month 2025 Across the North East: Across the month, we delivered a wide programme of activity spanning public events, creative workshops, exhibitions, training and institutional talks. These took place across the North East, including Hartlepool, Newcastle, Billingham and online, and involved disabled people, allies, cultural organisations and public-sector institutions.

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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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Donate Books This Disability History Month: Split-screen duotone image separated by bold white zigzag border: left side shows a young wheelchair user with glasses reading a book in vibrant magenta; right side shows a wheelchair user reaching for colorful children's books on shelves in yellow-green tones, creating a halftone print effect

Share Disability Stories: Donate a Book This Disability History Month

November 4, 2025

This November and December, you can help more people learn about disability by donating a book.
We’re working with Drake The Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees to share stories that show disabled lives with pride and honesty.
You can pick a book from our special list — from children’s stories like What Happened to You? to powerful memoirs like Being Heumann.
Buy it online, choose “Collect from shop,” and we’ll make sure it reaches a local school or community group.
Small actions make a big difference. Let’s share our stories!

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Autumn Budget Disabled People The chancellor stands holding the red budget box. overlaid people in a crowd holding protest signs that read "THESE CUTS WILL KILL" and "PIP = 0% FRAUD," with a purple tint over the image.

Add your name: Tell the Chancellor disabled people must not pay the price in the Autumn Budget

October 1, 2025

Add your name to an open letter to the Chancellor. The Autumn Budget should not make disabled people poorer. Many people in the North East are disabled and face extra costs every month. These costs cause debt and hardship. We ask the Chancellor to protect disabled people’s incomes, stop unfair welfare changes, and fund the support people need. Read the full letter below and sign the form to add your name. You can also join as an Ally. Sharing this page helps too. Together we can show decision makers that disabled people must not pay the price. Sign today please.

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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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