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The latest news from Difference.

Then Barbara Met Alan: Lessons from a History of Disability Activism

29 November 2024

This week, members of Difference North East gathered to discuss the thought-provoking film, “Then Barbara Met Alan“. The film, portraying the groundbreaking activism of Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth, offers a reminder of the power of community, the importance and function of direct action, and the need for an ongoing fight for equality. This was… Read more »

a circle with a logo of a wheelchair in the centre text below this reads "What Does Disability History Month Mean?"

Disability History Month! What is it, when is it, and what can you do?

12 November 2024

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 »

Photograph of Claire the Author "Disabled People Are Not Superheroes! What you say, and how you say it, matters. "I am a proud disabled person. My ever-evolving disabled identity is part of me and all of me, it is who I am and who I am meant." Disabled people are not superheroes: What you say, and how you say it, matters.

Disabled people are not superheroes: What you say, and how you say it, matters.

22 October 2024

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 »

Text on the left hand side reads "Nothing about us, without us? Not consulted! Not invited! Silenced is how we felt at this celebration! Read why we could not ignore this!" on the right hand side is a plaque for Mary Greaves colourised purple. at the bottom of the image are 3 people holding up flyers.

Nothing about us, without us: Not consulted! Not invited!

24 July 2024

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 »

Celebrating a Local Disability Hero!

18 July 2024

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 »