TV star Mat Fraser (pictured above) is asking people across the country to share their memories and experiences of the Disability Arts movement as part of a national heritage project. Mat is supporting ‘Cripping Culture: A Journey into Disability Arts Heritage’, a major new project run by disabled-led charitable arts organisation, Disability Arts Online, supported through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project aims to save the stories of the Disability A

For the first time, more than 41,000 blind and visually impaired children in the UK could benefit from a breakthrough that will make block coding accessible for them. New screen reader compatibility has been launched in Microsoft MakeCode, removing barriers that have long prevented many blind and low vision pupils from taking part in block-based coding alongside their classmates. Developed in partnership with Micro:bit Educational Foundation and the Blockly team at the Raspb

A theatre company that features an integrated cast of actors with disabilities both visible and invisible is to stage Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. The classic satirical tale, tackling Victorian society’s obsession with social status, marriage, and superficiality, returns to The Actor’s Church in Covent Garden, London, on July 21, 22 and 24. Founded by renowned actor Mark Beer (pictured above), Dramaiocht Productions is one of the first theatre companie

Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft CBE has received an Honorary Doctor of Sport from Leeds Beckett University. The award is in recognition of her outstanding achievements in sport, her contribution to disability sport and inclusion, and her ongoing collaboration with the university's Carnegie School of Sport. Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Hannah is one of Britain's most successful Paralympic athletes. Competing in the T34 wheelchair racing classification, she has won ni

Congratulations to Georgina Colman (pictured above) and Seth Richardson whose pioneering disability savings platform was recently recognised as one of the world's most innovative affiliate partners.   Purpl, the UK’s first money-saving platform built by disabled people, for disabled people, was selected for the prestigious Awin Power 100 list from a vast network of more than one million active partners in 35 countries. Created to reduce the £1,095 average extra monthly costs

Students from Birmingham City University (BCU) have met Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at an event to mark one year to go until the start of the Invictus Games. BCU is contributing to a number of initiatives spanning research, student opportunities and the design of the official Games medals by staff and students from the university’s School of Jewellery. “Seeing the 'I AM' spirit of the Invictus Games come to life is something I'll never forget,” said 34-year-old student

A group of talented blind and partially sighted musicians have showcased their skills at an event at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The musicians and composers, all of whom have developed careers in singing, performing or composing across a wide range of instruments, performed for an audience of music professionals, blind and partially sighted people, and partner organisations. The event celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Me

A new Professional Association of Assistive Technologists (PAAT) has been launched to provide crucial accreditation for people working with disabled adults who use assistive technology. Assistive technology can support people to communicate, connect with others and live more independently. Access to assistive technology, backed by the right support, can transform everyday life for many disabled people. Recent rapid changes in technology mean daily tasks that were once challe

Paralympics’ most successful athlete of all time Dame Sarah Storey has announced her retirement from competitive sport. During her glittering career she competed at an incredible nine Paralympics Games winning a total of 30 medals, including 19 golds. Sarah was just 14 years old when she began her Paralympic career as a swimmer, competing at four games: Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, picking up a combined total of five gold, eight silver and three

Live to Your Living Room has teamed up with Furness Tradition Folk Festival to livestream a stunning double-bill of folk music from Ulverston in Cumbria. Sit back in your garden, relax, and enjoy two young rising stars in the festival folk scene in a very special afternoon show on Saturday (July 11). Folk duo Wychbury specialise in traditional folk songs with a modern twist - listen in for intricate finger-picking and ethereal, captivating vocals. The Madeleine Stewart Trio (

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has appointed five new trustees to its board. The new additions, three of whom have sight loss, bring a wealth of experience and will play a crucial role in making major decisions that affect the charity and its subsidiaries. The five new trustees are: Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, Andrew McCracken; finance expert Graham Colbert; Barry Hoffman - a former Chief People Officer at a FTSE company; Motabil

Disabled entrepreneurs and signatories of the Government-backed Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship (DFCE) have marked the launch of the 2026 Progress Report. Hosted by Lloyds on behalf of DFCE founding signatories (Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds and NatWest Group), and attended by the Department for Business & Trade, UK Finance and Small Business Britain, the event demonstrated the progress the Code has achieved so far and looked ahead to even more inclusive access to

A Golf Day held by Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has raised just under £10,000 to support young children with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments. Held at Mannings Heath Golf Club in West Sussex, the event brought together local businesses, supporters and community groups for a day of golf, fundraising and networking. The money raised will help the charity move closer to its 25th anniversary goal of supporting an additional 25 children and families acr

A fresh retelling of Shakespeare’s classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream for everyone aged seven and above has put access at the heart of the production. In a major collaboration between the Unicorn, the UK's leading theatre for young people and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), creative captioning has been fully integrated into the design, story and magic for every performance of the play. There will also be integrated BSL performances. Representing a landmark partners

Kew Wakehurst has launched a brand-new programme designed to help individuals connect, relax and engage with the natural world. Nature Connect is especially designed for those who may be experiencing mental health challenges, are from under- served communities or have limited experience of engaging with nature. Adults from all walks of life are invited to join, including parents and caregivers, or someone looking to unwind and boost wellbeing. Taking place on August 15 and Se

Congratulations to all those involved in Parallel Windsor 2026. To the organisers, volunteers, exhibitors, performers, charity representatives, and of course all of you who took part in yesterday’s challenge events – well done. The sun shone brightly and the smiles even brighter. A truly inspiring, uplifting day held in the majestic grounds of the Windsor Great Park. Parallel Windsor is becoming an iconic national event and LWD is proud to be involved as a media partner in th

There’s just two days to go before we get ready, steady and go for this year’s national inclusive sports event Parallel Windsor. Entries are still open to run, walk, wander, push or pull along Windsor Great Park’s stunning Long Mile, and organisers have announced that there will be free accessible shuttles to get there from local train stations. Designed for people to start together but finish whenever, Parallel’s flagship event aims to challenge everyone to get moving by

August Adventures: Eight UK Events Worth Travelling For August is a different kind of month. The evenings stretch out, school holidays are in full swing, and there’s a genuine sense that anything is possible. Whether you’re planning a proper weekend away, a family day trip, or just looking for something to look forward to, the UK’s calendar is stacked with reasons to get out and go. And here’s what’s changed. Accessibility is no longer an afterthought at many of the country’s

Oliver Hirst-Greenham (pictured above) has been crowned champion of the English Disability Open Scratch Championship for the second time. The England Golf Disability Squad player shot rounds of level-par (72) and +4 (76) to win the title at The Shire London by three shots. “I wasn’t really expecting it because I’ve had such a rocky season, but I worked really hard to get my swing in a great place for the event,” said Oliver, who has congenital hip dysplasia, creating chronic

Two authors who advocate passionately for disability rights were among the winners at the Society of Authors’ Awards. Grace Spence Green won a Somerset Maugham Award for her memoir To Exist As I Am (Profile Books, Wellcome Collection). In 2018, aged 22 and a fourth-year medical student, Grace sustained a spinal cord injury. She is now a full-time wheelchair user and, alongside her job as a junior doctor, is working to challenge the narratives surrounding disability, medicine