Castle Howard, revisited
Photographer, Peter Lau, takes us around another of his favourite accessible strolls. The Yorkshire Arboretum is located within the vast grounds of th…
Columnist
Securing reasonable adjustments shouldn’t be hard
Size and significance are not the same thing. Think of a newborn baby. When my daughter came into the world, she was only a tiny little thing. Yet, it …
One small change for you, one giant leap for your wellbeing!
With a heightened gaze on nutrition and wellbeing, for so many very good reasons, it can be somewhat overwhelming when thinking of how to shop, cook an…
Seamless inclusion – Columnist, Melissa Cassidy
Put yourself in my shoes - it’s late July, you’re in a shopping centre and you’re looking for a nice pair of jeans to wear to university but unfortunat…
Small but meaningful – Columnist, Ciara Lawrence
Growing up with a learning disability, I was often told I wouldn’t achieve anything but after 23 years working at Mencap, I’ve felt the power of small …
Iron Monger!
Racing driver and presenter, Billy Monger, speaks with Able Magazine about his epic Comic Relief challenge to become the youngest double amputee to tak…
A new beginning
Photographer, Peter Lau, takes us around another of his favourite accessible strolls. Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is located between Brighouse a…
Telling stories
Columnist- Ciara Lawrence Growing up with a learning disability, I never wanted to read, and I didn’t understand books. Now, I’m the voice behind t…
Figuring Out University
Melissa Cassidy After six years at a blatantly inaccessible secondary school, sitting even more inaccessible exams, the time has come for me to fin…
Why are autistic people dying?
Gareth Ceidiog Hughes I’m going to start with the good news. Unfortunately, the good news isn’t all that great. According to researchers led…
Lose the pity: The need for empathy and support for parents of disabled children
Ruben Carol Receiving a diagnosis or facing a traumatic injury can be a life-altering experience, not only for the individual directly affected but…
Nights Out
For many people, the end of the week is a signal to let go of their stresses; the chance to let their hair down and relax. Here, Lauren Hunter takes u…
Welcoming the New Year
Happy New Year! It’s 2024 now, and you know what that means – a mix of opportunities and challenges awaits us. Life has a funny way of throwing curveb…
2023 wasn’t OK -and that’s OK
I’m not going to lie, 2023 was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. Personal tragedies have combined with professional changes - moving from one team to a…
Learning self-confidence- the ultimate challenge
Now, more than ever, we are very self-conscious as a society. Growing up in the digital era as a disabled person, my self-image has evolved lots over …
My cookfulness recipes are all about pleasure and relaxation in the kitchen.
I have been incredibly lucky that my cookbook and cooking courses have allowed me a new career following my serious health changes. However, that has …
The obstacle I overcame that wasn’t as important as I thought
To be autistic is to feel alone. Or at least that is what it has felt like for much of my life. I did not know that I was on the spectrum during my te…
Cheap and not so cheerful
Columnist - Ruben Carol I’ve always said that I will avoid flying with Ryanair at all costs, but recently I had no choice as I needed to book a fli…
I’m happy to speak out about my life – but don’t assume all disabled people are the same.
Columnist - Ciara Lawrence In late September, the Government launched a brand-new campaign, ‘Ask, Don’t Assume’, encouraging people to talk to disa…
The final push: back to school
Not so long ago, that time of year rolled around for buying a new pencil case, checking that the second-hand uniform still fitted, before recharging y…
Why is it that autistics are viewed as inflexible?
Interview - Gareth Ceidiog Hughes Humans are often described as creatures of habit, though as a species, we are far from unique in this regard.…
Unlocking Independence: Wheelchair skills training
When I received my first wheelchair, I was provided with basic instruction on how to move forwards, backwards, turn, navigate ramps and open doors. Ho…
Just 5% of people with a learning disability are in employment. Every time I read this statistic, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have a job that I really like – and it’s only getting better!
I’ve just moved back into the Communications, Advocacy and Activism Directorate team at Mencap. I’ll be helping the team think about how they can enga…
Autistic people tend to be treated as if they are the ones who are broken.
Those around them and the society they form are given a free pass for making life needlessly difficult for those on the spectrum. Because of this, aut…
Recognising disabled people’s achievements
In June, I received my Diana Award. A few weeks prior I had received an email from my pastoral care teacher (or guidance teacher) that he had put me f…