Difference North East

Read more about this project !
differencenortheast.org.uk/neca-employm...

@differencene.bsky.social wants to hear from people across the North East about the Access to Work scheme

Share positive experiences or where it hasn’t worked (e.g. long waits, missing support). Submit anonymously

differencenortheast.org.uk/take-action/...

Did a photography session for Difference North East with Kev Howard Creative Photography. The purpose was to realistically and positively portray a disabled person in their workspace - its not just OK, but photogenic, to have mental health issues, neurodiversity (and a bandaged hand) and still work!

Finding Power in Disability History - Difference North East Finding Power in Disability History: Join us this International Day of Disabled People for a powerful and engaging talk that connects the past, present, and future of disability rights.

It’s a chance to celebrate our history, reflect on how far we’ve come, and explore what it means for the future of our movement.
The event is free, but places are limited.
Book your place here:
differencenortheast.org.uk/event/findin...

Event poster with vibrant purple, yellow, and orange geometric overlays. Title reads "Breaking the Myths and Finding the Power in Disability History" with subtitle "Free Talk with Claire Andrews | Wednesday 3 December 2025". A protest image shows someone holding a sign reading "Justice Not Charity". Bottom text invites people to "Join us this International Day of Disabled People for a powerful and engaging talk that connects the past, present and future of disability rights." Sponsored by One IT Services & Solutions, whose colorful flower petal logo appears in bottom left corner.

Difference North East is proud to host a special event for Disability History Month at Billingham Library on 3rd December 2025 at 12pm.
Our South Region Development Manager, Claire, will be sharing powerful and little-known stories from disabled people’s lives, from the 1600s right through to today.

Donate Books This Disability History Month- Difference North East Donate Books This Disability History Month: We’ve partnered with Drake The Bookshop to get books about disabled lives into schools, community groups across the North East.

How to donate(full details in link!): Visit our curated list at Drake The Bookshop. Choose books to donate. Select “collect from shop” (no postage!).
🔗 differencenortheast.org.uk/donate-books...
Questions? hello@differencenortheast.org.uk
#DisabilityHistoryMonth

Featured title: "What Happened to You?" by James Catchpole: A gentle, powerful story about Joe, a child with one leg who simply wants to play.
Watch Bex explain why this book matters: www.instagram.com/p/DCoORqotmSg/

Why it matters: Books can shape how we understand the world. For disabled children & adults, seeing themselves in stories challenges pity, builds pride, opens up belonging. Our list has memoir, history, kids' books, something for every age.

Split-screen duotone image with bold white zigzag border: young wheelchair user reading on left in magenta; wheelchair user browsing bookshelves on right in yellow-green. Vertical text reads 'SHARE DISABILITY STORIES' and 'DONATE A BOOK' with campaign details '16 NOV-16 DEC, DRAKE THE BOOKSHOP' and Difference NE branding.

Split-screen duotone: Difference North east at an event launching a book at Drakes the bookshop with white zigzag border. Text bands: DONATE A BOOK, SHARE DISABILITY STORIES. Campaign 16 NOV-16 DEC at DRAKE THE BOOKSHOP. Difference NE logo.

Small act. Big difference.
This Disability History Month, help us get books about disabled lives into schools & community spaces across the North East. Partnership with Drake the bookshop
How to donate 🧵👇

Disability Discrimination Act and Launching Disability History Month - Difference North East Disability Discrimination Act and Launching Disability History Month.

Throughout the North East & online. Throughout November–December
Read more here (all our links are also in our bio) differencenortheast.org.uk/disability-d...

Protest images both contemporary and historic with 'Piss on Pity' sign visible. Text overlay with raised fist emoji reads: 'The slogan was clear: "Piss on pity." Disabled activists demanded rights & justice, not charity.' Bottom text: 'Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join! Difference NE'

This year’s theme, “Disability, Life and Death”, explores how society values disabled lives, past and present, and celebrates your communities who still fight for justice.
Join Difference North East for events, workshops, and talks across the region.

Protest images both contemporary and historic with 'Piss on Pity' sign visible. Text overlay with raised fist emoji reads: 'The slogan was clear: "Piss on pity." Disabled activists demanded rights & justice, not charity.' Bottom text: 'Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join! Difference NE'

In 1995, disabled activists chained themselves to buses, blocked traffic, and demanded equality. They didn’t wait for permission, and they made history. As we launch Disability History Month 2025 (15 Nov–15 Dec), we remember that history and ask: How far have we come? How far do we still have to go?

Protest images both contemporary and historic overlaid with 'These Cuts Will Kill' banner. Text overlay reads: '30 Years Since the Disability Discrimination Act. Won through resistance, not goodwill. Join us this Disability History Month as we look back, and plan for the future and for now!' Bottom text: 'Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join! Difference NE'

Everyone deserves equal access to live the life they want. Thirty years ago, the Disability Discrimination Act became law. It changed everything, but it was never enough.

A collage showing a person holding a protest banner reading “Cuts Will Kill” and “I Am Disabled Not Disposable.” Repeated “Block Telethon” posters fill the background in bright teal, purple, and yellow tones. Overlaid icons and text list: “Theatre. Photography. Zines. Learning.” Followed by: “Join Difference North East from Nov 15 – Dec 20 for a celebration of creativity and history.” Bottom text: “Difference North East. Disability History Month 2025.”

History isn’t finished. You’re making it every day.

differencenortheast.org.uk/disability-h...

#DisabilityHistoryMonth #DisabilityCulture #DisabledAndProud #DisabilityRights #DifferenceNorthEast #InclusionMatters #DDA30

A layered protest collage with slogans including “Block Telethon” and “Justice Not Charity.” Circular date markers show years 1960, 1974, 1999, 2011. Overlaid text reads, “We’re not just looking back. We’re creating, reflecting and taking action.” At the bottom: “Difference North East. Disability History Month 2025” in yellow, teal, and white.

All led by disabled people, for our community & allies.
Join Difference North East from Nov 15 – Dec 20 for a celebration of creativity, activism, and history.

A colourful collage featuring protest imagery and disability rights banners. Text on a white banner reads “Cuts Will Kill” and “I Am Disabled Not Disposable.” Black circular date markers show key years — 1960, 1974, 1987, 1999, 2011. Below, large text reads “🎉 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act.” At the bottom: “Difference North East. Disability History Month 2025” in yellow, teal, and white.

Disability History Month 2025!
30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act!
We’re not just looking back. We’re creating and taking action.

Theatre.
Photography.
Zines.
Learning.

Difference North East Shortlisted for Social Impact Business of the Year - Difference North East We are thrilled to announce that Difference North East has been shortlisted for Social Impact Business of the Year in the Tees Valley Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Awards 2025.

We are proud to be part of such an inspiring community and invite you to join us as a member or ally to help us continue making a difference.
Read more here and JOIN as a member or an ally

differencenortheast.org.uk/difference-n...

This nomination recognises the hard work of our team, members, and allies who are committed to challenging perceptions of disability and dismantling barriers across Tees Valley and the larger region

Difference NE logo and Tees Valley EDI awards logo Overlaid text reads Nominated for 2025 award.

We’re thrilled to announce that Difference North East has been shortlisted for Social Impact Business of the Year in the Tees Valley Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Awards 2025!

Autumn Budget & Disabled People: Sign the letter - Difference North East Add your name to an open letter to the Chancellor. The Autumn Budget should not make disabled people poorer. Many people in the North East are disabled and face extra costs every month. These costs ca...

Disabled people must not pay the price in the Budget. Add your name to our open letter to the Chancellor & stand for fairness. In the North East, 1 in 5 people are disabled. Too many face poverty & extra costs of £1,000+ monthly. Sign the open letter
bit.ly/46ub5Sy

A digital graphic from Difference North East features a quote criticizing the DWP job search system for failing disabled jobseekers. The quote, placed in a purple text box with white and bolded text, states: "In my personal opinion, I don’t think it’s acceptable that in the whole of the UK, there are only 21 remote jobs on the DWP’s own Find a Job service I could be ‘confident’ to apply for as a disabled person. Kendall is right about one thing – the system has become defined by poor experiences and low trust among many people who use it..." The background is a stylized collage with a blue-green tint

The DWP job search system is failing disabled jobseekers, creating systemic barriers to employment. Urgent reforms are needed to build an inclusive and supportive environment.
differencenortheast.org.uk/dwp-job-sear...

#DisabilityRights #InclusiveEmployment

A useful reality check for the media frenzy on Disabled people and work. We need government action to make work more accessible, not more training for Disabled people! What has your experience been?

DWP Job Search Fails Disabled Jobseekers - Difference North East The DWP Job Search Fails Disabled Jobseekers. We expose its failures in accessibility and remote job listings

Only 23 truly remote jobs in ‘Disability Confident’ organisations in the whole of the UK: Claire from @differencene.bsky.social blogs about how difficult it really is for Disabled people to find remote jobs: buff.ly/LxKRHWl

Email: Claire@differencenortheast.org.uk
WhatsApp: 07304061207

Your voice matters—let’s make water services work for everyone! 🌍💙

#AccessibleServices #DisabilityRights #NorthumbrianWater #HaveYourSay

Graphic image of a glass of water. Overlaid text repeated in the main body

Have your say on inclusive water services! 💧♿
Claire is meeting Northumbrian Water on Feb 13 to discuss customer priorities & accessibility—and she wants to hear from YOU!
🔹 Do you have experiences to share?
🔹 Any issues or suggestions Claire should raise?

Join us: I want to fight for disability rights - Difference North East Join our network of people who want to put an end to disability discrimination in our region. Our ability to make change happen relies on having a strong collective voice.

Your voice shapes real change! 💬
👉 Join Difference North East to attend: https://buff.ly/3CygHz7

#AccessibleHousing #DisabilityRights #HousingForAll

A promotional graphic for an event by Difference North East. The background features a stylized image of a housing estate split into four vertical sections with purple, yellow, teal, and green tints. Overlay text reads: 'Your Home, Your Needs, Your Voice! Accessible Housing for All. Housing & Accessibility | 25th Feb 2025.' A circular logo in the bottom left corner states 'Members Make The Difference – Difference North East' with illustrations of diverse figures, including one in a wheelchair. In the bottom right corner, text reads: 'Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join!' next to 'Difference NE.

What Do You Need from a Home?
Join us for a vital discussion on **housing & accessibility** 🏠♿
Feb 25 | 6-7 PM | Online (Zoom)
BSL & live captions provided
Let’s talk:
🔹 What makes housing truly accessible?
🔹 Challenges in renting & social housing
🔹 Your experiences & solutions

It’s time for action! Join Difference North East to fight for inclusive climate justice.
👉 https://buff.ly/3CygHz7

A stylized, digitally illustrated graphic with a bold, high-contrast color palette of blues, greens, and purples. On the left side, large text in yellow and white reads: "How Climate Change Affects Disabled People: Insights from the Stockton Business Climate Coalition." On the right, an abstract mural-style background features an eye with the Earth in its iris, surrounded by text that says, "Open Your Eyes." A dark vertical banner on the right reads "Difference NE" with a smaller tagline below: "Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join!

Disabled people are being left behind in climate planning.
🚨 Rising energy costs
🚨 Food insecurity
🚨 Inaccessible transport
🚨 No evacuation plans
Read more about climate and disability.
https://buff.ly/42UqNFf

#ClimateJustice #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters #Teesside

Join us: I want to fight for disability rights - Difference North East Join our network of people who want to put an end to disability discrimination in our region. Our ability to make change happen relies on having a strong collective voice.

🚨 Does this sound familiar? Tell us the biggest barrier you face in the comments. Join us to campaign for real change.

🔗 Join us today - https://buff.ly/3EzCwi2

#DisabilityRights #AccessibleFuture #DisabledVoices #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

Read the update here! https://buff.ly/4gt4dXj