Access to Work is meant to be a lifeline. For many disabled people across the North East, it should open doors to employment, keep us in our jobs, and help us thrive at work. If you have ever waited months for support, had your funding cut without warning, or struggled to get the help you need, this is your chance to speak up.

Difference NE is gathering real stories from people like you to submit evidence to the government's Access to Work enquiry. Your voice matters and can make a difference.

What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a government scheme designed to help disabled people start, stay in, or move forward in employment. It can fund practical workplace support that goes beyond standard reasonable adjustments, including things like:

• Support workers or job coaches
• Specialist equipment or assistive technology
• Adapted transport to and from work
• Communication support such as BSL interpreters
• Mental health support at work

The scheme is available to employed people, self-employed individuals, and those who have been offered a job. It is meant to be flexible, person-centered, and responsive to your needs. That is the theory, anyway.

The Reality Right Now

While Access to Work has been transformative for many disabled people, the scheme is facing serious challenges.

Some people are waiting nine months or more for decisions, while payments are delayed, leaving people out of pocket. Payment delays are leaving people struggling to pay support workers, taxi companies, and other providers. Some people are experiencing sudden cuts to long-standing support packages without clear explanation, while others report inconsistent decision-making and difficulty reaching their case managers.

These are not just administrative hiccups. When Access to Work fails, disabled people lose jobs, employers lose talented workers, and our community loses the opportunity to contribute our skills and experience. The delays and cuts are having real consequences for real people right here in the North East.

That is why your story matters.

We Want to Hear From You

Whether Access to Work has been brilliant for you or has let you down, we want to know about it. The government is reviewing the scheme, and this is our chance to make sure decision-makers hear directly from the people who rely on it.

We are looking for stories about:

• The good stuff: Has Access to Work helped you get a job, stay employed, or progress in your career? Has it funded support that made a genuine difference to your working life? We want to celebrate what works.
• The challenges: Have you faced long waiting times for applications or payments? Has your support been reduced without warning? Have you struggled to get the help you need, been caught in administrative loops, or felt unsupported by the process?
• The real impact: How has Access to Work or the lack of it affected your day-to-day life, your mental health, your financial situation, or your career prospects?

You do not need to share everything, and you do not need to have all the answers. Even a few sentences help. Your story does not need to be perfect. It is your lived experience that counts. Whether your experience was last month or last year, whether it is a success story or a frustration, we want to hear it.

Your Privacy Matters

We know that sharing personal experiences takes trust. That is why you can submit your story completely anonymously through our website. We will not share identifying information without your permission. Your experiences will be used to build a clearer picture of how Access to Work is actually working or not working for disabled people in our region and to push for improvements that make a real difference.

How to Share Your Story

Head to our website and fill in the short form:

You can share as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable with. Every story helps us build stronger evidence for change.

Join Our Community

Become part of Difference NE, a community of disabled people and allies working together to challenge inequality. Membership is free and means you will be connected to people who understand your experiences. If you would like to stay updated or take part in future campaigns, join here:

Let's Make This Count

Share your Access to Work story today. Your experience is evidence that cannot be ignored. Every submission, even a few lines, helps build a scheme that truly supports disabled people to work, thrive, and succeed.

Consider submitting sooner rather than later. Early responses strengthen our evidence for the government review.