Random Acts of Kindness Day: Making the UK More Inclusive for Disabled People

Why Random Acts of Kindness Matter for Disabled People

Random Acts of Kindness Day is on 17th February and is a global celebration of small, thoughtful gestures that brighten people’s days. While kindness benefits everyone, it holds particular significance for disabled people in the UK, who often face barriers to accessibility, inclusion, and social participation.

For many disabled people, daily life can present challenges that others may not even consider. A small act of kindness can make a huge difference, helping to create a more inclusive and accessible society. This includes non disabled people and disabled people alike, the world feels like a pretty scary place right now and kindness is something that can make a difference to everyone.

Understanding the Challenges Disabled People Face

In the UK, over 16 million people are living with a disability, yet barriers to equality remain. From public transport access issues to social isolation and employment discrimination, disabled people often struggle with basic rights that many take for granted.

Some common difficulties include:

Physical accessibility barriers: Lack of step-free access, inadequate disabled parking, and inaccessible venues.
Communication barriers: Lack of British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, inaccessible websites, and unreadable signage.
Social isolation: Many disabled people experience loneliness due to mobility issues, being more likely to live in poverty and social stigma.
Workplace discrimination: Many employers still fail to provide reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 and disabled people are paid less than their non-disabled counterparts.

With these challenges in mind, Random Acts of Kindness Day presents a great opportunity to support and uplift disabled people in meaningful ways. This includes all of us in the disabled community being kind and uplifting each other. Purpl was formed by Georgina, who lives with MS, because she wants to make positive change in the lives of disabled people in the UK. The long term aim of Purpl is to start a foundation to be able to offer financial grants to people who need some extra support, Purpl also give back to charities as kindness is at the heart of all we do.

Simple Ways to Show Kindness

Small but meaningful gestures can go a long way in making people feel included and valued. Here are some easy ways to show kindness and promote accessibility:

1. Help your Fellow Human (But Always Ask First!)

If you see a person struggling, whether it’s carrying bags, reaching an item in a shop, or navigating a crowded space, offer help, but don’t assume they need it. Some people appreciate assistance, while other people prefer independence. This is the same for disabled and non-disabled people, you wouldn’t approach a non-disabled person and maneuver them in a different direction, so don’t do it to disabled people. Do not touch another person’s wheelchair or body without consent.

2. Make Public Spaces More Accessible

If you run a business or community space, check if it’s truly accessible. Is there a ramp? Are doorways wide enough? Is there accessible seating? Is the accessible toilet really accessible or being used as a store cupboard? If you don’t own a business, you can highlight accessibility concerns to management of any business and be an ally to the disabled community!

3. Be Inclusive in Conversations

Many disabled people feel invisible or spoken over. Whether in the workplace, a social setting, or online, actively include disabled voices in discussions, ensuring they are heard and valued. The saying goes, nothing about us, without us. Do not assume you understand the realities of disabled life if you do not have lived experience of it.

4. Educate Yourself and Challenge Ableism

Ableism, discrimination against disabled people, often stems from ignorance. Take time to educate yourself about disability rights, terminology, and accessibility needs. Challenge ableist attitudes when you see them, whether in conversations, workplaces, or policies.

5. Use Social Media for Good

A simple way to spread kindness is by amplifying disabled voices on social media. Follow and share content from disabled activists, highlight accessibility wins and failures, and use inclusive language and accessible formats when posting online. An easy way to do this is by using alt text on images and including a written Image description, especially if you are posting an image with written text on it.

6. Just be Nice

In my home, there have always only been two rules: Just Be Nice and Try Your Hardest. In a world where we see hatred, discrimination and bullying, just be nice! Be the kind person, be the nice person, be the person who lifts others not puts them down.

Our Disabled Led Brands

We have some incredible brands working with Purpl to bring you disabled discounts and make a real difference and positive change to the disabled community. Today on Random Acts fo Kindness Day, we thought we would celebrate the brands who encompass the With not For and Nothing About us, without us philosophy that brings together the disabled community!

Glamsticks

Sharon Farley-Mason is the owner of Glamsticks, she became disabled after a life-changing horse-riding accident in 1999. After she customised a mobile phone cover with gems, sparking demand for more designs, her creative passion led her to acquire Glamsticks, a business specialising in custom-designed mobility aids, which quickly gained recognition and a loyal customer base.

As Glamsticks flourished, Sharon sponsored models, Paralympians, and individuals in need, including custom crutches, wheelchair covers, and even a bespoke running blade.

The award winning business now creates mobility aids with a difference and Sharon says that Glamsticks is not just a job or a hobby, it has been her saviour. It is her inspiration to fight each day, even on the days when she is unable to get out of bed; to live life to the full and be truly grateful.

Purpl and Glamsticks offer new customers a 10% discount on your first order!

MouMou and Friends

Sara Momtaz is an author, disability campaigner, mother to a daughter who lives with Down’s Syndrome and founder of WAB® – We All Belong LTD.

She campaigns for more inclusive playgrounds and has published a series of children books: The Amazing Adventures of MouMou & Friends normalising children with disabilities and special needs. She created the children’s character, MouMou, with Down’s syndrome and each of the stories introduces a new character with a disability.

She says“It’s about trying to raise awareness about kindness, that’s the concept.”

Purpl members can get 30% off their first order of the Amazing Adventures of MouMou books.

Adult and child hands hold a childrens book called the amazing adventures of moumou and friends, the cover is orange and has a cartoon drawing of a young girl with a ponytail and a dog and cat wearing clothes

Human Beauty

Millie Flemington-Clare was born with a rare condition called Cystinosism, she created the accessible beauty brand, Human Beauty. A disabled owned business on a mission to create cosmetics accessible for all, spreading the message that ‘Perfect is boring and Human is beautiful.

She believes that we all have the right to see ourselves represented in the beauty world. But we also have the right to use accessible products that were created with different needs in mind.

As a disabled-owned business, Human Beauty will never pretend to be inclusive while ignoring key issues that put beauty out of reach. Their innovative products are tested by a diverse panel of people, including those with a range of disabilities, to make sure they actually work. They look at both the content of their products and their packaging to make sure they’re high quality and easy to use.

Purpl Members can get an exclusive 30% off Human Beauty products.

Differently Perfect

Differently Perfect is a brand of tshirts created by , parents of a little girl called Aara who was born with a rare genetic disorder called Rubenstein Taybi Syndrome. A condition that affects 1 in 125,000 new-borns and comes with varying health and learning difficulties. Because of this condition Aara’s behaviours are not conventional. They include various forms of stimming and limited speech. They say “to us as parents she is just perfect, maybe different but perfect none the less.” Differently Perfect is a fashion brand is all about inclusion, offering apparel to highlight we all are perfect in our own different way and their T-shirt designs aim to promote and empower everyone.

From sensory hoodies, that have magnetic closures, extra padding in the hood for noise control and an eye mask for over stimulation, to a range of neurodiversity awareness tshirts with a whole host of designs and slogans. We love Differently Perfect and Purpl Members can get 15% off your first order!

A family of a mum, dad and two young children are sat on a bench wearing differently perfect tshirts

Dotty About Braille

Hayley Kellard is a disabled entrepreneur based in Greater Manchester and owner and creator of Dotty about Braille. She was born with a rare genetic eye condition called Wagner’s Syndrome, and has been visually impaired her whole life. Dotty About Braille specialises in personalised, accessible braille greetings cards and gifts.

Hayley came up with the idea of braille greetings cards as she’d always been aware of the limited options for braille greetings cards, how they were often old fashioned, overpriced or not fully accessible. She created a unique range of braille greetings cards, cards that are fully accessible to blind and visually impaired people. The cards don’t have images, patterns or printed text, just braille. All cards are available in lots of different colours and in any language where a braille code exists, including English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, German, French and Polish.

Purpl members receive 20% off braille greeting cards from Dotty about Braille.

A white woman with long blonde hair is sat at a braille typewriter at a desk

Making Kindness an Everyday Habit

While Random Acts of Kindness Day is a wonderful reminder to be more compassionate, kindness shouldn’t be limited to just one day. True inclusion comes from consistent efforts to support and uplift disabled people year-round.

By being more aware, inclusive, and proactive, we can make the UK a kinder, more accessible place for everyone.

Join the Movement!

This Random Acts of Kindness Day, take a moment to make a positive impact in a disabled person’s life. Whether it’s offering support, advocating for better accessibility, or simply being more inclusive, every act of kindness helps build a better society. Let’s create a UK where kindness and accessibility go hand in hand.

Share Your Kindness Story

Have you witnessed or experienced an act of kindness? Share your story on social media using #RandomActsOfKindnessDay and #Purpl and inspire others to make a difference!

Are you a Purpl Member?

Are you a Purpl member? If you are a disabled person in the UK, you could be eligible to join Purpl and start saving money today! We are the UK’s first disabled discount website to help offset the cost of living with disabilities. We see discounts for everyone else like student discounts, key-worker discounts, NHS discounts and the disabled community had been left behind. We are a disabled discount site created by a disabled founder, for disabled people. Have a look through our How to Join Purpl Guide now!

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