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Internalised ableism can cause people to avoid or delay getting the support they need and are entitled to.

Many believe they’d be a burden for needing accommodations. As a result, they will often minimise their struggles as a result. This can be especially true if a condition fluctuates.

Internalised ableism can manifest as feelings of embarrassment or unworthiness. Because of this, some people will try to hide or mask their conditions to avoid judgement.

Unlearning internalised ableism can be a long and tricky process. It’s important for disabled people to be patient and have compassion for themselves.

Accepting accommodations, giving yourself compassion, and seeing support as a tool can be life changing.

📸 Image description: Dark purple text on a pink background reads: "Maybe I just need to try harder."

📅 Today marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The idea behind the day is to get people talking and learning about the importance and impact of digital accessibility.

And with over 14 million disabled people in the UK, that’s a big impact.

When something isn’t accessible, disabled people are left out. Digital inaccessibility is built into technology, online shopping, and even social media. It might mean not being able to take part in an online community. Or, it could even mean losing independence with things like online banking.

So, who is responsible for digital accessibility? Well… everyone. Businesses, the government, us, and you 🤝

And one of the ways that you can start taking responsibility for digital accessibility is right here on Instagram. To get started with more accessible content, here are three things to ask yourself next time you post:

Did I remember to add alt-text to my image so that a screen reader user will know what it is?

Did I include clear subtitles for the speaking in my video?

Have I used plain English and limited emojis to make my writing easy to understand?

You don’t have to know everything and it’s okay to still be learning. But the important thing is making the effort to learn and do better. And you’ll be helping to create a more inclusive world at the same time.

Image description: A computer window. The search bar reads, 'GAAD 2026'. Window text reads, 'Accessibility is everyone's responsibility.' There is a photo of two men laughing at their laptop.

It’s 2026, and the ‘R’ word is back on our screens, this time in ‘Euphoria’.

The words we hear in film and TV often reflect the way we’re already thinking and speaking to each other. But sometimes, it’s the other way round. Sometimes, the more we hear certain words on TV, the more normalised they become, creeping into our culture.

But when those words are harmful slurs about disabled people, it can cause a lot of harm.

Not every word needs a renaissance. When a punchline is just punching down on a vulnerable group, it’s probably something we can leave in the past.

Image description: Green and yellow text on a purple background, saying: ‘The ‘R’ word is not a punchline’.

Imagine being too scared to leave your house because strangers might harass you for using a blue badge.

That's the reality for too many disabled people right now.

The Guardian heard from almost 100 disabled people and their families who have been challenged by strangers for using a blue badge.

They've been verbally abused, filmed on phones, physically intimidated. Some have even had their mobility aids pulled away.

Research by MS Society showed more than one in 5 people with multiple sclerosis in the UK had been questioned for using a blue badge. Some reported being shouted at, harassed or even spat at.

The culture of suspicion around disability benefits has given people permission to question whether someone is "disabled enough". And it's fuelled by Motability narratives of "free BMWs".

But no one should have to prove they're disabled to a stranger. And blue badge holders should be able to go about their lives without harassment 💜

Image description: A blue badge parking sign. Next to the symbols, text reads: "People assume we're grifters."

“By putting disabled bodies at the centre of one of fashion’s most visible platforms, the Costume Institute is doing more than making a statement; it’s setting a new standard.”

Last night’s Met Gala showed bold fashion and real progress on inclusion.

For the first time, the exhibition and gala were designed to be accessible for disabled guests. The team worked closely with ‘Tilting the Lens’, an organization that lifts up disabled voices in arts, culture, community, and fashion.

One part of the exhibition, called ‘The Disabled Body’, was inspired by disabled people. It appeared alongside sections featuring pregnant and plus-size bodies.

The fashion industry has always focused on the body: shaping it, limiting it, and holding up one ‘ideal’ image. But it has rarely faced the full range of bodies that wear clothes every day.

By putting disabled people at the centre, not only as inspiration, but as leaders in design and culture, Costume Art pushes back on an industry that has often chosen fantasy over function, and style over access.

There is still a long way to go before moments like this feel normal. But this is a big step forward, and we hope to see many more.

💻 Read more about this story at whowhatwear.com

📷 Image description: A slightly out of focus background featuring paparazzi photographers and camera flashes at a red-carpet event. Headline from ‘Who What Wear’ reads “Finally, the 2026 Met Gala Made Accessibility the Headline—Not the Afterthought.”

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

Our Scope Awards 2026 winners!

We’re so proud to celebrate these passionate and hard-working disability equality champions 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday. We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will all achieve in the next year 🙌

Image descriptions: all images show pictures of the winners of each Scope Award, with their name and category written in white text. The pictures have a purple sparkly background.

Winners listed in the images are:

Celebrity Role Model: Rosie Jones
Colleague Network: Hull Truck Theatre
Community Group: CRIPtic Arts
Customer Inclusion: Anatome Education CIC
Local Service: Circus Starr
Media Moment: Code of Silence
Purple Pioneer: Yasmin Darling
Social Media Influencer: Tobi Green Adenowo
Workplace Champion: Kevin Hubbard

AI is transforming how we work 💻

But new research suggests many disabled people aren’t yet confident it will improve access to jobs. And some aren’t sure it will help at all.

That’s why disabled people need to be involved at every stage. From design to rollout.

Image description: People sit at computers in an open office space. A GR headline reads, 'Disabled people key to AI accessibility in the workplace'

📢 Not all impairments or conditions are visible.
When it comes to disabled parking bays and amenities, many still forget that.

Ian has multiple sclerosis (MS) and often feels judged when he parks in disabled bays or uses accessible toilets. That is until he takes out his rollator or wheelchair.

He then often faces dealing with being treated like he’s ‘invisible’ when he does use his wheelchair. With strangers speaking to his wife instead of him.

That moment when strangers decide you “look disabled enough” is something no one should have to deal with. Let's remember to be a little gentler, and less judgmental with what we assume about other people.

💻 Read Ian’s full story at yorkpress.co.uk

📸 Image description: An image of a disabled parking bay painted on the ground. Overlaid is a headline from The York Press reading “York man with MS feels 'judged' parking in disabled spaces.”

🚗 Motability changes risk taking independence away from disabled people.

Kay, a teacher, relies on her Motability vehicle to get to work and enjoy her hobbies. She says the changes will seriously affect her quality of life.

💬 “This is another restriction they've placed on us that's going to force us back into our homes.”

Motability is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. We need to treat it like one.

Life already costs more when you’re disabled. And making Motability harder to afford or access only adds to the barriers disabled people face.

Disabled people should be supported to live full lives on their own terms. Not pushed out of society.

Image description: A photo of a car park barrier with an ITV headline. It reads, Somerset teacher says motability changes will be 'devastating'.

Article: ITV News

The Equality Act is not optional.

And asking a wheelchair user to leave your venue because you consider them a “fire risk” is discrimination.

Disabled people like Maddie are forced to defend themselves over and over against negative attitudes. Having to explain your rights in the face of opposition like this can be simply exhausting.

It’s not fair to make disabled people feel like they are a problem.

We’re sending our support your way, Maddie 💜

Image description: The interior of a bar, with stools at tables. A BBC News headline is overlaid, which says: I was kicked out of bar because of my wheelchair.

🚨 We're excited to announce a new paid opportunity for a small group of emerging disabled content creators.

We'll provide workshops to support your content creation, networking, and collaboration opportunities.

Scope amplifies disabled voices. Because together, we’re a powerful movement for disability equality.

Just complete our short form to apply. The link is in our bio.

Any questions? Just drop us an email to the address listed in the form and we'll get back to you.

Image description: A woman takes a selfie with her phone. Text reads, 'Are you a disabled content creator? We need you!'

💻 AI has quickly become a tool that supports us in many areas of life. But it's important to remember that the information it provides isn't always accurate.

With upcoming changes to Universal Credit, for example, information may be outdated. Or you may get information for residents of a different part of the UK.

So if you use AI to answer questions about your benefits, it is really important to check trusted sources as well. Because it doesn’t always give the right information, or tell you everything that you need to know.

Always check your AI search results directly with a trusted source to make sure you have all the information you need.

For information and advice about anything related to disability, you might find what you need on our website. We have lots of information and advice pages on a wide range of topics. The link is in our bio.

Or you can get in touch with our free helpline by emailing helpline@scope.org.uk. Or calling 0808 800 3333 📞

Image description: A purple background with text: 'Do you use AI for benefits advice? Here's why you should be cautious.'