The latest news from Difference.
Disability History Month starts this week! 14 November 2024 – 20 December 2024 Disability History Month is celebrated between 14th November 2024 and 20th December 2024 and this year focuses on Disability livelihood and employment. At Difference, we are focusing on Mary Greaves from Whitley Bay as our historical figure as she worked tirelessly to… Read more »
Why Should You Avoid Calling Disabled People Superheroes? Over the last two years I couldn’t work in ‘traditional’ paid employment, so I took part in lots of volunteering from home. I spent two years as a patient representative working alongside the British Society of Gastroenterology helping to write the new best practice guidelines. I mentored… Read more »
The following letter was sent to Cllrs Gary Allen and Brenda Harrison of Hartlepool Borough Council, inviting them to a meeting to discuss proposed Telecare charges in the borough.Local charities offered time to meet with the council, but no one at the council responded!The letter was co-signed by several service providing charities locally that work… Read more »
Silenced is how we felt at the celebration! Read why we could not ignore this! Reflections From Blue Plaque Unveiling This reflective piece comes from a small group of disabled activists in the northeast of England who attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to Mary Greaves. On a pedestrian walkway in front of a… Read more »
Mary Greaves and the Disablement Income Group This week, on 18th July 2024, North Tyneside Council will unveil a blue plaque in honour of Mary Greaves, a true champion for disabled people. Mary, who was herself disabled, was born in Newcastle and led the Disablement Income Group (DIG). Mary’s hard work helped bring about the… Read more »
We are deeply concerned about the shocking shortage of accessible housing in our region. Shockingly, only one accessible home is planned for every 119 people who need them in the North East, recent data reveals. This alarming statistic highlights that those in power urgently need to take action to address the housing crisis facing disabled people.
Last year we wrote a blog about the Disability Housing Crisis, since then the Renter Reform Bill has faced delay after delay with still no date for the banning of no fault evictions Everyone deserves secure homes and fair treatment. But we need to support the push for better renter protections. The next government must… Read more »
By Debbie Austin, from North-East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network, talks about how the social model of disability helps her be a better parent. Learning about the social model of disability changed my life. I was 25 and travelling in Australia occasionally working as a physio, and generally having a great year or so away…. Read more »
Ahead of the North East Combined Authority elections for a new regional mayor in May 2024, we have some important points to raise. See below for our Disability Devolution manifesto, which outlines what Disabled people in the North East need for a fair and equal region to live, work and play. Disability Devolution NEMCA Manifesto… Read more »