Your Voice Matters in Hartlepool

Are you a disabled person living in Hartlepool? You're not alone. With an estimated 21,145 disabled residents in Hartlepool, our community is strong, but we face daily challenges that shouldn't exist.

Difference North East is a Deaf and Disabled People's Organisation (DDPO) that puts disabled people in charge of our own movement. We're run by disabled people, for disabled people, and we're active right here in Hartlepool fighting for the rights we all deserve.

What is a Disabled People's Organisation?

A Disabled People's Organisation (DDPO) is different from a traditional disability charity. We operate on a simple principle: "Nothing about us, without us."

  • Led by disabled people: At least 75% of our board members and 50% of our staff are disabled people with lived experience
  • Social Model approach: We believe society disables people through barriers, disability isn't your fault, it's society's responsibility to fix
  • Member-driven: Our work is guided by what disabled people in Hartlepool and across the North East actually need
  • Campaigning for change: We don't just provide services, we fight to change the systems that discriminate against us

Why does this matter? Because we understand from lived experience what it's like to face discrimination in healthcare, struggle with inaccessible transport, or fight for workplace adjustments. We're not speaking for you, we're speaking with you.

Our Work in Hartlepool: Real Impact, Real Change

Hartlepool has been a crucial battleground for disability rights. Here's what we've been fighting for in your community:

🏥 Telecare Charges Campaign

In 2024, Hartlepool Council planned to charge disabled people £5-£14.40 per week for vital telecare services, a lifeline for independent living.

What we did: Led by Claire Andrews, we co-signed an open letter with local charities including CLIP, Incontrol-able, Hartlepool Deaf Centre, and The Artrium. We challenged the council to pause and consult with disabled people before implementing charges.

Read our open letter to Hartlepool Council →

📊 Community Listening Sessions

In May 2025, we hosted "Everyday Struggles in Hartlepool", a community conversation where disabled people shared real experiences of healthcare discrimination, transport barriers, and employment challenges.

Key findings: Patronising healthcare, inaccessible taxis, broken transport systems, and workplace adjustments being stripped away over time.

Read what Hartlepool residents told us →

🗳️ Holding MPs Accountable

Jonathan Brash MP (Hartlepool) is one of only 9 North East MPs who stood with disabled people to oppose PIP welfare cuts in 2025.

His commitment saved Hartlepool residents an estimated £20,312,438 in cuts, protecting 21,145 disabled people from losing an average of £354.23 each.

See which MPs stood with us →

🎨 Claiming the Normal Exhibition

December 2025: We brought our photography exhibition to Hartlepool Art Gallery, challenging stereotypes about disability by showing disabled people living everyday lives, working, shopping, enjoying hobbies.

Photographed by Kev Howard, the exhibition celebrates authentic disabled representation beyond the "superhero or helpless" narrative.

Learn about Claiming the Normal →

🎨 Creative Activism Workshops

We hosted zine-making workshops at Hartlepool Art Gallery for ages 12-15, teaching young people how to "Make Noise Without Social Media", giving disabled young people tools for advocacy.

See our Hartlepool events →

📢 National Policy Influence

We walked out of the government's Disability Network in protest when disabled voices were shut out of welfare reform discussions, and we made sure Hartlepool residents' voices were heard anyway.

Why we walked out →

The Reality for Disabled People in Hartlepool

Our community listening sessions revealed the everyday barriers disabled people in Hartlepool face. Here's what we heard:

🏥 Healthcare Discrimination

"My doctor has been my doctor since my teens, but I find her to be very patronising. She knows my condition, and she talks down to me like I am a child."

  • Carers ignored in emergency situations
  • Lack of interpreters for deaf family members
  • Medical jargon not explained in accessible language
  • Intimate health decisions questioned and controlled

🚌 Transport Chaos

Taxis in Hartlepool: The council website lists six numbers for accessible taxis. Two no longer do it. Two don't work after 5pm. And you can't pre-book." - read more here

  • Only 2 functioning accessible taxi services after 5pm
  • Buses without audio announcements leave dyslexic and visually impaired people stranded
  • Tees Flex service has pickup points 25 minutes' walk away, defeating its purpose
  • Harassment on trains: One woman was threatened with violence for asking someone to move from the wheelchair space

💼 Employment Barriers

'The Employment Advisor told her to leave off the fact that she was neurodiverse on her job application. That was the government advisor.' read more here

  • Job Centre advisors recommend hiding disabilities
  • Reasonable adjustments stripped away over time
  • "Remote" jobs still require a car, not a reasonable adjustment
  • Disabled people only getting hired by other disabled people

💷 The Cost of Being Disabled

£975/month

Extra costs disabled households face on average, equivalent to 63% of income after housing

  • 69% of people referred to food banks are disabled
  • 41% of disabled people can't afford to heat their homes (vs 23% non-disabled)
  • Disabled people are 3x more likely to live in material deprivation

Join the Movement in Hartlepool

You don't have to fight alone. Whether you're disabled, a family member, carer, or ally, there's a place for you in Difference North East.

Become a Member

Free & for disabled people

Join 200+ disabled people across the North East. Get involved in campaigns, access free training, attend events, and make your voice heard.

Join Free

Become an Ally

Support our mission - for organisations & non-disabled individuals

Not disabled but want to support disability rights? Become an ally and stand with us in fighting discrimination.

Support Us

Attend Events

Connect locally

We host regular events in Hartlepool, from community discussions to exhibitions and workshops.

See Events

What You'll Get as a Member:

  • Quarterly newsletter with local and regional disability rights updates
  • Free disability training on rights, the social model, neurodivergence, and more
  • Campaign participation to shape policy in Hartlepool and beyond
  • Community connection with other disabled people who get it
  • Events and activities including film clubs, book clubs, and social gatherings

Why Hartlepool Needs Disability Rights Advocacy

Hartlepool faces unique challenges:

  • 21,145 disabled residents potentially facing PIP cuts worth £20.3 million
  • Telecare charges that would cost disabled people up to £748/year on top of existing poverty
  • A broken accessible transport system with only 2 functioning taxi services after 5pm
  • Healthcare settings where disabled people report feeling patronised and ignored
  • Employment discrimination starting with Job Centre advice to hide disabilities

But here's what gives us hope: Hartlepool has a strong MP (Jonathan Brash) who stood with us. Hartlepool has brilliant local organisations working together. And Hartlepool has disabled people who refuse to be silenced.

"We want what you've got."

That simple statement captures everything. We're not asking for special treatment. We're demanding the equality, access, and dignity that non-disabled people take for granted.

Join us. Let's get what we deserve, together.

Learn More About Disability Rights in Hartlepool

Our Hartlepool Campaigns & Articles:

Understand Your Rights:

Upcoming Hartlepool Events:

Check our events calendar for the latest Hartlepool activities, workshops, and community gatherings.