• One in three (34%) disabled people do not feel they belong in their communities, compared with 18% of non-disabled people.
• Nearly half (48%) of disabled LGBT+ people often feel lonely, compared with a quarter (25%) of non-disabled people.
• One in three (34%) disabled people feel unsafe walking alone near their home after dark, compared with 24% of non-disabled people.
• Just one in ten (11%) of people with disabilities feel well represented by the UK Government, and two-thirds (66%) of disabled people feel poorly represented by the UK Government, while just 11% feel well represented.

London, UK, [JULY 2026] – Disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people not to feel they belong in their communities, according to a new report published by the Belonging Forum to mark Disability Pride Month.

The research, based on a new analysis of the 2026 Belonging Barometer, found that one in three disabled people (34%) report a weak sense of belonging to their communities, compared with 18% of people without a disability. The gap is even wider among disabled people who identify as LGBT+, with two in five (40%) saying they do not feel they belong.

The Belonging Forum found that many disabled people have strong personal relationships and close connections within their local communities. Levels of friendship satisfaction are almost identical to those of non-disabled people (67% versus 69%), and both groups are equally likely to know their neighbours well (57%).

Despite strong personal relationships, disabled people continue to report lower levels of social connection than those without a disability. The research also found higher levels of loneliness, lower wellbeing, greater concerns about safety and weaker feelings of representation, all of which make it harder to connect with communities.

More than a third (37%) of disabled people say they often feel lonely, compared with a quarter (25%) of non-disabled people. Among disabled people who identify as LGBT+, this rises to almost half (48%), while disabled women are considerably more likely than disabled men to experience loneliness frequently (42% versus 29%).

The impact is also evident in wider wellbeing, with disabled people reporting lower levels of life satisfaction and happiness than non-disabled people.

Concerns about personal safety can make it harder to feel connected to local communities. One in three disabled people (34%) say they feel unsafe walking alone near their home after dark, with the figure higher among disabled women.

The Belonging Forum’s report found that physical health makes it harder for disabled people to access and spend time in community spaces. Disabled people are also less likely to spend time in shared community spaces such as parks, cafés and leisure facilities. Almost a quarter (23%) said physical health prevents them from spending more time in these places, compared with just 3% of non-disabled people.

The research also highlights a significant gap in political representation. Two-thirds (66%) of disabled people say they feel poorly represented by the UK Government, while a similar proportion (67%) do not believe their wants and needs are considered when decisions are made.

The report also shows that experiences of disability cannot be understood through a single lens. Disabled people who identify as LGBT+ report some of the greatest challenges in the research. Those who live alone or rent their homes are also more likely to experience lower wellbeing, face greater barriers to participating in community life and feel less represented by decision-makers.

Published during Disability Pride Month – which celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities while raising awareness of the barriers they continue to face – the report examines how disability shapes people’s relationships, their connection to the place they live, their sense of purpose, and their opportunities to contribute and whether they feel heard by those making decisions.

Kim Samuel, Founder of the Belonging Forum, said:

“Disability Pride Month is an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements, contributions and resilience of people with disabilities, but also to understand the barriers that can make belonging harder to achieve.

“Our research shows that many disabled people have strong friendships and meaningful relationships, yet still face barriers that make it harder to participate fully in community life, access shared spaces and feel heard by the institutions that shape their lives.

“Belonging is about more than social connection. It is about being able to take part, contribute, feel valued and have your voice heard. These aren’t abstract ideals—they are things we can design for. By putting belonging at the heart of our communities, workplaces and public institutions, we can remove barriers that prevent people from participating fully in society.”

The findings highlight the importance of embedding belonging in the design of communities, workplaces, public services and institutions. The Belonging Forum is inviting organisations and individuals to sign its Global Charter for Belonging, which provides a practical framework for strengthening belonging across People, Place, Power and Purpose. The Charter calls on signatories to reflect on the barriers people face, take meaningful action to improve participation and inclusion, collaborate with others, and share what works.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

For media inquiries and interviews, or further information, please contact: press@belongingforum.com

About the Belonging Barometer:

• The research was carried out by Opinium on behalf of the Belonging Forum and surveyed a nationally representative sample of 10,001 UK adults. The survey was conducted between 1^st and 17^th December 2025.
• From the nationally representative sample, the weighted numbers for disability status were:
  • 2,412 people with disabilities
  • 7,589 people without a disability
•  Estimates of the number of people affected are based on the latest mid-year population estimates, which place the UK adult (18+) population at 55,022,253.
• Estimated population figures are therefore calculated by applying survey percentages to the latest UK mid-year adult population estimates, and are indicative estimates based on the nationally representative sample.
• The poll included figures from the general population and was broken down by demographics, including gender, age, socioeconomic status, and working status.
• The full findings of the third edition of the Belonging Barometer can be viewed here.

About the Belonging Forum

The Belonging Forum is a global non-profit advancing the right to belong – a birthright that connects us to one another, to the places we call home, to the systems that shape our lives, and to a shared sense of purpose.

We bring together research, advocacy, and action to ensure belonging is embedded in policies, institutions, and everyday life. Through collaboration with thought leaders, community builders, and changemakers around the world, we turn ideas into impact and build a world where everyone can flourish.

The Belonging Forum was founded by Kim Samuel – activist, author, educator, and leading voice in the global movement for belonging.