Disability

Drivers could face prosecution and a £1,000 fine for Blue Badge misuse. Here are six disabled parking rules to know during October half term.

Drivers face £1,000 fine warning over Blue Badge misuse this half term

Tom Hayes MP has welcomed new Government action to give eligible disabled people across England free bus travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1, 2027.

Tom Hayes MP has welcomed new Government action to give eligible disabled people across England free bus travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1, 2027.

Bournemouth MP welcomes free 24/7 bus travel for eligible disabled people

Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

Vikki Slade MP welcomes scrapping of disabled bus pass restrictions

Dorset-based charity Diverse Abilities is hosting the fireworks cruise on Thursday, August 27, aboard the Fortuna with Coastal Cruises.

Dorset-based charity Diverse Abilities is hosting the fireworks cruise on Thursday, August 27, aboard the Fortuna with Coastal Cruises.

Charity fireworks cruise to support of people with disabilities this month

Reform has set out plans to scrap PIP and the Universal Credit health element for working-age adults as part of a proposed £50bn welfare shake-up.

Reform has set out plans to scrap PIP and the Universal Credit health element for working-age adults as part of a proposed £50bn welfare shake-up.

Millions could face huge benefit changes as Reform targets PIP and Universal Credit

Diverse Abilities, based in Dorset, is organising a series of craft workshops across the county throughout summer and autumn, offering everything from painting and bath bomb making to block printing and sea glass art.

Diverse Abilities, based in Dorset, is organising a series of craft workshops across the county throughout summer and autumn, offering everything from painting and bath bomb making to block printing and sea glass art.

Dorset’s disability charity offers range of craft workshops in summer and autumn

The CRUMBS Project will participate in the Dorset Plane Pull at Bournemouth Airport on Monday, August 31 to raise funds and awareness for adults with disabilities.

The CRUMBS Project will participate in the Dorset Plane Pull at Bournemouth Airport on Monday, August 31 to raise funds and awareness for adults with disabilities.

Bournemouth Airport

Trainees from Dorset charity to pull 35,000kg plane as part of Dorset Plane Pull

Puppy Coordinator Izi Loe with one of the three new puppies

Puppy Coordinator Izi Loe with one of the three new puppies

Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs

Dorset charity relaunches its charity-trained assistance dog programme

Care South chefs led a fruit masterclass with trainees from The CRUMBS Project

Care South chefs led a fruit masterclass with trainees from The CRUMBS Project

Care South chefs serve up summer flavours for Dorset's catering talent

SAMEE charity interns will be exhibiting in Poole at the Dolphin Centre

SAMEE charity interns will be exhibiting in Poole at the Dolphin Centre

New charity exhibition to showcase young entrepreneurs in Poole next month

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is changing the Motability scheme to save £1 billion by 2030. Here’s what the new VAT and insurance rules mean for disabled drivers.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is changing the Motability scheme to save £1 billion by 2030. Here’s what the new VAT and insurance rules mean for disabled drivers.

Disabled drivers face Motability changes as DWP cuts tax reliefs to save £1bn

Blue Badge holders cannot automatically park in supermarket parent and child parking bays, with experts explaining why many drivers could face parking charges.

Blue Badge holders cannot automatically park in supermarket parent and child parking bays, with experts explaining why many drivers could face parking charges.

Can Blue Badge holders park in parent and child spaces? The rule many get wrong

How colour can improve a disabled person's life and why choice is essential

DWP Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden who is leading on benefits reform

DWP Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden who is leading on benefits reform

Millions on benefits urged to act as DWP seeks fresh evidence from claimants

Minstead Trust is calling on the local community to sign up for a fun and energetic inflatable 5k event on July 11

Minstead Trust is calling on the local community to sign up for a fun and energetic inflatable 5k event on July 11

University of Southampton

Charity invites community to take on giant inflatable 5k challenge in July

Connor Bates is taking on a 75 kilometre cycling challenge through the New Forest on May 24 to raise funds for Flourish in Nature.

Connor Bates is taking on a 75 kilometre cycling challenge through the New Forest on May 24 to raise funds for Flourish in Nature.

Volunteer to tackle 75km bike ride in support of inclusive outdoor organisation

Abbie Harrington

Abbie Harrington

Bournemouth University student performs with pioneering Para cheerleading team

A drop-in session from Diverse Abilities on June 24 in Poole aims to support families through the challenging transition from child to adult care services.

A drop-in session from Diverse Abilities on June 24 in Poole aims to support families through the challenging transition from child to adult care services.

Diverse Abilities

Dorset's disability charity to hold session to help transition to adult services

Bournemouth University hosted a Sports Day for visually impaired children which took place on Talbot Campus on April 30.

Bournemouth University hosted a Sports Day for visually impaired children which took place on Talbot Campus on April 30.

Bournemouth University

Visually impaired children experience sport for the first time in Bournemouth

The Treehouse Sensory Garden

The Treehouse Sensory Garden

Diverse Abilities

Charity garden for people with disabilities will open to the public in June

Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity are offering free multi-sensory sessions for families with babies aged 0-2 years with complex medical conditions.

Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity are offering free multi-sensory sessions for families with babies aged 0-2 years with complex medical conditions.

Diverse Abilities

Free multi-sensory sessions from charity for babies with complex medical needs

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden as benefit cuts come into force

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden as benefit cuts come into force

DWP benefit cuts begin as thousands of disabled people face £50-a-week loss

Diverse Abilities have announced a series of creative workshops across the year, include a watercolour painting evening on Wednesday, July 1, led by artist Lynda Larke at Langside School in Poole.

Diverse Abilities have announced a series of creative workshops across the year, include a watercolour painting evening on Wednesday, July 1, led by artist Lynda Larke at Langside School in Poole.

Diverse Abilities

Dorset disability charity launches new series of creative workshops

Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

MP meets minister to champion Dorset charity supporting young adults with SEND

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions

Thousands of disabled people in BCP and Dorset to get crucial support into work

Victoria-Jayne using the Priority Assistance service in Tesco with Raine aiding Victoria with her weekly shop.

Victoria-Jayne using the Priority Assistance service in Tesco with Raine aiding Victoria with her weekly shop.

How supermarkets and shops are improving in catering for disabled people

Thousands more people will qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard from March 2026, offering one-third off fares and companion discounts.

Thousands more people will qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard from March 2026, offering one-third off fares and companion discounts.

Thousands more people eligible for travel cards from this week, are you one of them?

Victoria-Jayne Scholes with the Milano Cortina 2026 winter flame

Victoria-Jayne Scholes with the Milano Cortina 2026 winter flame

Winter Paralympic Flame is lit as president says 'it's capable of transforming lives'

A flower workshop hosted by Diverse Abilities, one of their new craft activities in Dorset this Spring.

A flower workshop hosted by Diverse Abilities, one of their new craft activities in Dorset this Spring.

Diverse Abilities

Dorset disability charity offers new craft activities this Spring

James and the team at the Well Cafe Lounge.

James and the team at the Well Cafe Lounge.

Young SEN student tells how apprenticeship has opened doors for him

Diverse Abilities.

Diverse Abilities.

Help for young people in Dorset with disabilities transitioning to Adult Services

Chancellor Rachel Reeves removes high end cars from Motability Scheme in a move which makes people with disabilities feel like they are unworthy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves removes high end cars from Motability Scheme in a move which makes people with disabilities feel like they are unworthy.

Budget a 'slap in the face' to disabled people told they can't have luxury

When my body says ‘hey I’m reaching my limit now’, my brain overrules and that is when it all comes crashing down

When my body says ‘hey I’m reaching my limit now’, my brain overrules and that is when it all comes crashing down

What is Disability Burnout? How you can cope with it

For children with disabilities, playgrounds are often inaccessible, why are councils not making parks inclusive for all mandatory?

For children with disabilities, playgrounds are often inaccessible, why are councils not making parks inclusive for all mandatory?

My child has a disability - where can they go to play?

I am proud of myself, disability and all, and I think it has come from being in a community that accepts themselves, that has helped me accept myself.

I am proud of myself, disability and all, and I think it has come from being in a community that accepts themselves, that has helped me accept myself.

MPs have Disabled people's 'lives in their hands' but do they really understand?

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made concessions to disability benefits cuts after a Labour rebellion

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made concessions to disability benefits cuts after a Labour rebellion

Universal Credit and PIP cuts halted as Starmer announces benefits U-turn

'I am going to explain to you, the true cost of my Motability car, not because I feel I owe it to anyone, but because I want people to understand'

'I am going to explain to you, the true cost of my Motability car, not because I feel I owe it to anyone, but because I want people to understand'

Do you get a free car because you are disabled? The Motability Scheme explained

Getting into sports can be hard, but finding a sport adapted to your disability can be even more challenging when you don’t know where to start.

Getting into sports can be hard, but finding a sport adapted to your disability can be even more challenging when you don’t know where to start.

'I want to be involved in a disability sport, but I just don’t know how?'

Poster for the Hidden Dorset report

Poster for the Hidden Dorset report

Dorset Community Foundation launches online report into need and disadvantage

Benefit payments will increase this year - here's how much

Benefit payments will increase this year - here's how much

DWP benefits to increase this year - how much and when do they go up?

The DWP £150 disability cost of living payment will be paid to more than six million people from June 20

The DWP £150 disability cost of living payment will be paid to more than six million people from June 20

Cost of living crisis

Millions to receive £150 cost of living payment next month - are you eligible?

The one-off payment, announced in May, will be paid automatically to people who receive certain disability benefits from September 20 (PA)

The one-off payment, announced in May, will be paid automatically to people who receive certain disability benefits from September 20 (PA)

Cost of living crisis

Millions to receive £150 cost of living payment next month - are you eligible?

Tesco announce permanent change to UK stores (PA)

Tesco announce permanent change to UK stores (PA)

Tesco announce permanent change to UK stores