Disabled people across the UK are being urged to take part in a series of major consultations that could significantly influence the future of welfare, mobility rights and access to public services. From a wide-ranging review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to proposals on digital identity and mobility device laws, campaigners say this is a critical moment for lived experience to shape national policy.

At least four active consultations are currently open to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, each focusing on different aspects of daily life. Together, they represent one of the most substantial opportunities in recent years for disabled voices to influence decision-making at a national level.

PIP review: the chance to reshape disability benefits

The most high-profile of the consultations is the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment, launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 19th March 2026.

The review aims to examine whether PIP — a benefit supporting nearly four million people with the extra costs of disability — is still “fair and fit for the future” in a changing society.

Central to the process is a public **call for evidence**, inviting disabled people, carers and organisations to share their experiences and ideas for reform. The consultation focuses on four key themes, including the purpose of PIP, fairness in eligibility, the experience of claiming, and how changing societal conditions should influence the system.

Importantly, the review is being **co-produced with disabled people**, with a steering group including individuals with lived experience alongside experts and policymakers.

The outcome of the review could shape future reforms to PIP, with recommendations expected later in 2026.

You can provide feedback and insight to the PIP Call for Evidence online, via email or by post. Accessible formats of the consultation, including large print, braille, audio, Easy Read, and British Sign Language (BSL), are available. The call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 28th May 2026.

For full details on the PIP review and to have your say, visit: Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment: Call for Evidence

Mobility devices: updating laws that affect everyday independence

A second consultation focuses on the laws governing powered mobility devices, such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The government is seeking views on potential changes to how these devices are defined and used in public spaces.

Proposals under consideration include:

• Updating legal definitions of mobility devices and users
• Reviewing where devices can be used (roads vs pavements)
• Changing rules on speed, size and age restrictions
• Considering whether passengers should be allowed
• Exploring whether new types of devices should be permitted

For many disabled people, these rules directly affect independence, safety and access to communities. Campaigners have long argued that outdated legislation does not reflect modern mobility needs or advances in assistive technology.

The consultation closes 11:59pm on 22nd April 2026, and responses will help determine whether new laws better reflect the realities of disabled people’s lives.
Accessible versions of the consultation are available in formats including large print, braille, audio, Easy Read and BSL.

For full details on the proposed changes and to have your say, visit: Reviewing the law for powered mobility devices

Read: Campaign Triumph: UK Government To Review Outdated Powered Wheelchair Legislation

Digital ID: inclusion, access and concerns about privacy

Another major consultation centres on the government’s proposed **national digital ID system**, part of a broader push to modernise public services.

The consultation, launched on 10th March 2026, seeks public input on how a digital identity could be designed to be **“useful, inclusive and trusted.”**

The proposed system would allow people to prove their identity digitally, reducing the need for paperwork and repeated verification when accessing services.

Government ambitions include:

• Simplifying access to services like benefits, tax and childcare
• Reducing bureaucracy and duplication
• Giving users more control over their personal data

However, the consultation comes amid ongoing debate about privacy, trust and digital exclusion. Critics have warned that even voluntary systems could disadvantage people who lack digital access or skills, including some disabled people.

To address these concerns, the government has emphasised that participation will be voluntary and that non-digital routes will remain available.

For disabled people, the consultation raises important questions about accessibility, usability and whether digital systems can truly meet diverse needs.

This consultation runs until 5th May 2026 and can be completed in the following ways:

• Complete the online survey (20–40 minutes) selecting topics of interest.
• Submit responses via email at consultation@digitalid.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
• Post to: c/o Digital ID, Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AS.

If you’re responding by email or post, state if you’re an individual, an expert or responding on behalf of an organisation. A People’s Panel will follow, with selected participants shaping recommendations through workshops.

You can also view accessible formats of the Digital ID consultation, including BSL, audio and Easy Read.

For full details on the Digital ID plans and to have your say, visit: Making public services work for you with your digital identity

Community-led research: focus on FND experiences

Alongside government-led consultations, people are also being encouraged to take part in a research study focused on individuals with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

The study aims to generate the first large-scale dataset on physical activity levels, sedentary behaviour, and quality of life in adults with FND. The research findings will hopefully help shape future support systems and treatment pathways.

The research is being led by Laura Graham, a student at York St John University’s School of Science, Technology and Health, who lives with FND herself.

By contributing, participants can help build a clearer picture of how FND affects daily life, ensuring that real-world experiences inform future services and interventions.

Participants must be aged 18 or over and are invited to complete a short, anonymous online survey, which closes on 30th June 2026. If you have any questions, you can contact Laura at laura.graham@yorksj.ac.uk.

For full details on the FND research and to have your say, visit: Exploring physical activity levels, sedentary behaviour, and quality of life in adults with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Why participation matters if you have a disability?

These consultations cover key areas of disabled people’s lives, including income, mobility, identity and access to services. Together, they could shape how support is delivered for years to come. There is a growing focus on co-production, with policymakers seeking input from those with lived experience, but campaigners stress that participation must be meaningful and accessible.

With deadlines approaching, people with disabilities and health conditions are being encouraged to take part. Sharing real experiences — from benefits to mobility and digital access — can directly influence future policy. Many see this as a rare opportunity to ensure decisions are shaped by those most affected, not made without them.

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