At Difference North East, we welcome efforts to remove barriers to employment. However, while schemes like “Working Well” provide valuable support, they don’t address the wider structural inequalities that disabled people face every day.
The “Working Well” scheme, a government initiative in partnership with local organisations like the North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC-ICB), aims to support people with disabilities or health conditions to overcome barriers to employment. Whether you’re struggling to stay in work, need help managing a condition to return to work, or are looking to start work, the scheme offers tailored support, guidance on reasonable adjustments, and personalised return-to-work planning.

At Difference North East, we welcome efforts to remove barriers to employment. However, while schemes like “Working Well” provide valuable support, they don’t address the wider structural inequalities that disabled people face every day.
The Challenges Disabled People Face
Disabled people continue to encounter significant barriers to employment, including:
- Inaccessible transport infrastructures, making it difficult to travel to work.
- Wage gaps, with disabled workers earning on average 13% less than non-disabled workers.
- Long waits for assessments, such as the 8-month delay for Personal Independence Payment reviews and the 6-month wait for Access to Work assessments.
These challenges are compounded by broader systemic issues. For example:
- Poverty and mental health: Many disabled people face financial insecurity, which can exacerbate mental health conditions and create additional barriers to employment.
- Employer inclusivity: While some employers are making strides in creating inclusive workplaces, many still lack the awareness or resources to implement reasonable adjustments effectively.
Why Your Voice Matters
Millions of disabled people in the UK are trapped in poverty because they’re unable to work or find accessible jobs. In fact, 62% of the 3.8 million people who couldn’t afford essentials like food or heating last year were disabled people. This is why it’s crucial that services like “Working Well” are designed directly with disabled people and Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs).
We agree with the campaign for disability justice in that we want a decent quality of life for ourselves and those we care about, and to live in a society that includes and values us, whether we are in or out of work.
Join the Discussion
The NENC-ICB is hosting online consultations to hear from:
- Disabled people in work but facing health-related challenges.
- Disabled people not in work due to health conditions.
- Professionals who support people into employment.
Session Details:
- 4th February, 6-7pm: Open to all disabled people.
- 5th February, 1-2pm: Open to all disabled people.
- 6th February, 6-7pm: For professionals supporting people into employment.
Participants will receive a £30 voucher as a thank-you for their time. To attend, email jenny@jharveyresearch.com to register.
Your experiences matter. By sharing your story, you can help shape better support for disabled people and create a more inclusive future. Together, we can ensure that disabled people have equal access to employment and the opportunity to thrive.
Join Our Networks:
- Allies Network: https://differencenortheast.org.uk/allies-network/
- Members Network: https://differencenortheast.org.uk/join-us