Scope

“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

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 [email protected]. 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.'

Changes to the Motability scheme have been confirmed. From July, changes will come into effect which will make the scheme more expensive for some people. These include charges for taking vehicles abroad, as well as reduced mileage allowances. The changes will only affect new leases from July, not existing ones. In last year’s Autumn budget, the government announced increases to taxes that affect the scheme. The knock-on effect for disabled people is that the scheme will cost more. The disability price tag already sits at over £1,000 a month. Increased costs to Motability will only make this worse. And risks denying disabled people the freedom and independence, putting yet more barriers in the way. If you’re concerned about how you may be affected, our helpline team can offer advice and support. You can reach them for free on 0808 800 3333 or email [email protected]. Image description: Text: Motability is designed to remove barriers. Rising costs rebuild them.

This week the Government published its response to the consultation on mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, as part of the forthcoming Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. The headline is clear: there is strong backing for transparency and action. 87% of respondents agreed that large employers should report both their ethnicity and disability pay gaps. And there was also strong support for mandatory action plans (81% for ethnicity and 85% for disability). That echoes our joint polling with People Like Us and Censuswide, which found 70% of UK workers support mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting and 77% support mandatory disability pay gap reporting. And 92% expect employers to explain gaps or take steps to address them. We now urgently need a clear timeline for implementation. In the meantime, large employers should start preparing by improving data collection, building trust for disclosure, and planning the actions they’ll take once gaps are visible. Thank you to everyone who has pushed this forward - especially those who engaged with the consultation. We’ll keep working until the Bill is on the statute book and delivers meaningful change. 📷 Image description: Legislation roadmap: Mandatory Ethnicity and Disability Pay Gap Reporting. June 2024, manifesto commitment made by Labour and Green Party. July 2024, King's Speech confirms the Bill. March 2025, public consultation launched. June 2025, consultation closes with 857 responses. March 2026, the government has confirmed it will make ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting mandatory for large employers, and has published draft legislation for the first time. TBC, full draft Bill published for scrutiny. TBC, Bill passes through Commons and Lords. TBC, Royal Assent - Bill becomes law.

Our Social Media Influencer nominees 📢 As always, we had so many wonderful nominations for this category. Along with the rest of our judges, @moeedmajeed has the impossible task of choosing a winner! Our 4 lovely nominees for 2026 are: Chronically Jenni: @chronicallyjenni Lucy Dawson: @luuudaw Samraddhi Awasthi: @samraddhi Tobi Green Adenowo: @toughcookietee Tune in to our livestream on April 30 to find out who’s won! We can’t wait to celebrate disability equality with this group of absolute superstars ✨ Video description: Scope Awards judge Moeed Majeed talks to camera about our 4 Social Media Influencer nominees. As he talks about them, photos and video clips of each nominee appear on the screen.

🚨 Right now, the government is working on future Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reform. This work is known as the Timms Review. And now it wants to know what disabled people think. It is collecting evidence on how effective PIP is and whether the assessment provides fair access to the right support. As well as our experiences of claiming PIP, and whether the experience changes between different groups of people. 📣 This is a crucial opportunity to make our voices heard loud and clear. Because disabled people deserve a welfare system that is not confrontational. And is built with them. It’s vital that the government understands the impact that PIP has for the disabled people that claim it. And where it isn't working. PIP exists because life costs more if you are disabled. And this needs to be at the heart of any decision making. But we must be clear: the government must not use this review to fit in predetermined decisions or spending plans. ✍ Respond to the call for evidence by 28 May via the link in our bio. Image description: A white paper background with text: 'Your voice is needed. The Timms Review has opened a public call for evidence on PIP reform.' There is a yellow icon with a purple megaphone at the bottom.