The latest news from Difference.
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 »
Our Training and Campaigns Coordinator Bea, writes about why Children in Need is problematic today. Disabled children have the right to be included in their local community and to do the kinds of things that non-disabled children do. They have the right to support to help them do this. Following the ‘Rights not Charity’ chant… Read more »
Jeremy Hunt! Strengthen Our ‘Threadbare Safety Net’! Along with Over 50 North East organisations, Difference North East has signed a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt asking him to strengthen our threadbare safety net at this month’s Autumn Statement “…forcing low income families – who have borne the brunt of the cost of living crisis –… Read more »