News features, contributions and interviews
Here you will find articles I have contributed towards, as well as media piece around my advocacy work. Press requests have been a mixture of articles, TV and radio.
Metro: 11th July 2023
Disabled woman refused entry into Primark because of her guide dog
“A Primark worker refused to allow a disabled woman into a store because she had a guide dog with her.
Chloe Tear, 25, was shopping with her sister in Leeds city centre on Sunday when they decided to visit the budget clothing store.
But a staff member stopped the siblings, who had Chloe’s 19-month-old guide dog Dezzie with them, because ‘dogs are not allowed’.”
Purple Tuesday: 17th April 2023
Our ambassaors in the UK for Purple Tuesday
“Our Disabled Customer Ambassadors are absolutely vital to the Purple Tuesday movement. Individuals who are committed to helping change the disability conversation, motivated by their own lived experiences.”
ITV News: 22nd September 2022
Mother says disabled son is practically ‘on death row’ as energy bills soar
“I’m going to be faced with some really difficult choices this winter – not putting the heating on is going to make me in more pain and need more medication,” she said.
Patchwork Hub: 11th June 2022
Patchworker Spotlight: Chloe’s story
Chloe is a disability blogger, freelancer and content designer from Leeds, UK. Living with cerebral palsy, Chloe is also registered blind. Chloe kindly spoke to us about her experiences, the development of her blogging platform, and her disability advocacy work.
21andsensory podcast: 13th October 2022
Episode 62: Special Guest, Chloe Tear (Disability Blogger and Writer)
I am really excited to chat to today’s special guest which is the lovely Chloe Tear. Chloe is 24-years-old and is an award winning disability blogger and freelance writer with 9 years experience. On her blog she documents her lived experiences as a disabled young woman and she currently works in the charity sector as a Content Designer.
The Mirror: 5th October 2022
Disabled hate crimes soar to record highs as violence rockets and prosecutions plummet
One victim, Chloe Tear, was in the sixth form when she suffered disability hate crime. The content designer, now 24, remembers hearing the words “Get the girl in the wheelchair” before a group of teenagers threw eggs at her as she waited at a bus stop in Leeds in October 2015.
Chloe, who has cerebral palsy, said: “It was something that really affected me.”
RNIB Connect Radio: 8th October 2021
Award winning Blogger Chloe Tear talks to Connect Radio!
Chloe Tear is an award winning Blogger who just recently had her work recognised by the Yorkshire Blogger Awards. Ellie caught up with Chloe to find out more about the award and what blogging has meant to her since she started 8 years ago.
Each Other: 3rd August 2021
Why Is Disability Hate Crime So Hard To Prove?
Content designer Chloe Tear has reported a few incidents of hate crime, including an online death threat and an occasion where an assailant threw eggs at her. She says both incidents were motivated by her being disabled.
RNIB Connect Radio: 2nd July 2021
Love Island, the press and inspiration porn…
Representation is media is important, but being labelled as inspirational in the press for being a disabled love islander has had the disabled community again explaining that being disabled doesn’t make you inherently inspirational, Ellie’s been finding out two women’s thoughts on representation and inspiration porn.
BBC 5 Live radio: 18th May 2021
A Technology Special
With more of us than ever reliant on the digital world, how do websites, apps and smart speakers fare when it comes to accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired?
Sked Social: 12th May 2021
Interview: How blind users experience Instagram
Chloe cautions against content creators and businesses relying on the platforms and devices to solve their content accessibility problems as not every user will have access to (or can afford) the same technologies.
Motability News: 30th April 2021
Keeping mental health front of mind
“I think yes, as a society we are getting better at talking about mental health, yet there does seem to be a line. For example, speaking about suicidal thoughts is still frowned upon.”
Big Hack: 25th March 2021
Disabled bloggers to follow in 2021
Chloe’s blog (formerly Life of a Cerebral Palsy Student) began as a place to document Chloe’s life while studying at university. Since then, her blog has grown, receiving numerous accolades.
RNIB Radio: 17th March 2021
A Year In Lockdown Chloe Tear
As we’re #ComingOutOfLockdown we’ll be looking back at the year and sharing experiences of #blind & #PartiallySighted people.
Today we hear from 22-year-old @chloe_tear who is registered blind and has been living at home during lockdown.
Refinery29: 4th March 2021
People Are Dressing Up To Get The Vaccine. Here’s Why.
She had to fight to get herself a shot — something that she recognizes is a problem, not only for her but for all people who have disabilities. “It’s not something we should have to fight for,” she says, “but these dungarees empowered me to keep fighting for my rights and to support others to do the same.”
Metro: 16th February 2021
The pandemic has worsened the online bullying of disabled people
Chloe Tear, a disability blogger and freelance writer who is blind and has cerebral palsy told me, ‘I’ve experienced disability hate crime both online and when out in public. I’ve had eggs thrown at me because I was in a wheelchair. ‘Since the pandemic, I’ve been told that someone should shoot me in the head and that I’m worthless — all because I’m disabled.’
RNIB Connexr Radio: 14th February 2021
Dating with a visual impairment: What is it like?
An interview for RNIB Radio. It was part of a compilation of work for Valentines Day. I discussed what it was like to be in a relationship when you have a visual impairment and the stereotypes you’d can face. Audio credit: RNIB.
Refinery29: 14th February 2021
I Accessorised My Way To Embracing Disability
“When your walking stick complements your outfit, it’s like it’s meant to be there,” agrees Chloe. “It no longer looks medical or misplaced in the hand of a 22-year-old – it’s exactly where it needs to be.”
Twinkl: 15th January 2021
20+ New Year’s Resolutions for Families
“This year I would like to be more mindful of what I spend my time doing. To make an effort to be intentional with time and purchases will hopefully simplify my day to day life.”
Motability: 13th January 2021
How to set up a disability-friendly home office
“I need my area to be well lit due to my level of sight,” says Chloe, who is also partially sighted due to a visual cortex disorder. “To achieve this I use lamps that have magnifiers and are adjustable so that I can position them to suit me.”
Enable Magazine: 2nd December 2020
RNIB reimagines fairy tale to highlight the lack of disabled role-models in children’s books
Chloe Tear who is visually impaired and is a disability blogger and writer, has experienced this first hand. Chloe says: “It is so refreshing to see a blind character within a children’s book.“
Ilkley Gazette : 19th November 2020
Former students are inspiring the next generation at Otley
“Chloe Tear, meanwhile, left Prince Henry’s in 2016 to study Psychology and Child Development at Leeds Trinity University.
Chloe has cerebral palsy and started a blog, Life as a Cerebral Palsy Student, during a Year 10 IT lesson at Prince Henry’s which became the platform for her awareness-raising efforts.”
Twinkl: 3rd November 2020
Top Disability bloggers 2020
“This year for International Day of People with Disabilties 2020 (December 3rd), we wanted to showcase and promote some of the excellent disability blogging content of 2020. We hope you take the time to read some of these fantastic bloggers, as our time spent reviewing them was enlightening and a rewarding experience. Each has a unique voice and perspective, and there’s a lot to take away from each blogger.”
Cibes Lift: 19th October 2020
Great initiatives to make your business more accessible
“Disability blogger Chloe Tear told us that “I believe businesses are getting there,” and that the “level of awareness has increased, this just needs to be put into practice. Businesses need to make themselves accessible if they want to have support from disabled people..”
BBC 5 Live: 9th October 2020
50 years of Disability; Job Diaries; Virtual Reality
“As part of our 50th birthday celebration we’ll take a look at disability. It’s half a century since the Chronically Sick and Disabled Act was passed, which compelled Local Authorities to offer welfare services to their disabled citizens.
We’ll hear from three of our listeners about disability and care in 1970 and what’s changed, plus we’ll speak to the former Home Secretary and Labour peer – Lord Blunkett.”
University Business: 31st July 2020
Access all areas? An overview of life for disabled students in HE
“Disabled people often have to rely on the kindness of staff who go out of their way to provide accessibility. But we can’t just rely on those few members of staff who believe in our abilities. In 2020, this needs to become the norm.”
Rail Delivery Group: 28th July 2020
All train operators in Britain now recognise the Sunflower scheme
“The subtle symbol means we won’t have to continuously explain and often justify our needs if they are invisible to others. […] The fear around not receiving support or being judged for using priority seats is eased by the sunflower lanyard and card.”
CP Teens UK: 29th June 2020
Blogging Q&A for young people with Cerebral Palsy
An online interactive Q&A where I spoke about education, blogging and growing up with CP.
Echo Chamber Escape: 4th May 2020
How to build, sustain and grow a blog from scratch
“Blogging has become such a passion due to the way I am able to express myself and share my experiences. It is incredibly powerful to have someone say, “I can relate to that, you’ve made me not feel alone”.
Bustle: 8th March 2020
UK Universities Have An Inclusion Problem & Change Isn’t Happening Fast Enough
“Disabled students should just be seen as students, they pay the same amount of money to be there and deserve to be able to reach their potential.”
Leeds Trinity: 10th January 2020
Award-winning blogger and Leeds Trinity alumna, Chloe Tear, has been shortlisted for a British Education Award.
“To raise awareness of her disabilities, Chloe developed Life as a Cerebral Palsy student, her award-winning blog, and has written for 70 publications including Times Higher, BBC and the UK’s leading disability magazine, Able.
She’s delivered presentations to health professionals and parents whose children have Cerebral Palsy, delivered sessions in schools with national disability charity Scope, sat on national panels about access within higher education, and been involved with national campaigns for Scope and RNIB to change attitudes around disability.”
BBC Radio Leeds: 10th December 2019
Liz Green: Up Close
RNIB: 26th November 2019
‘Social Media Influencer of the Year’: Finalist
”An absolutely incredible afternoon! It was an such an honour to attend the ceremony as a finalist and to meet the finalists. I didn’t win my category, but it was an amazing to watch @lifeofablindgrl give her moving speech and receive the award.”
BBC News: 15th October 2019
Spikes – and other ways disabled people combat unwanted touching
After accepting assistance from someone who asked her first, disabled pedestrian Chloe Tear tweeted: “I really appreciate people OFFERING support, rather than assuming I need it.”
BBC News Look North: 10th October 2019
Hate crime study shows it’s the worst in Yorkshire
BBC News: 9th October 2019
‘Malicious disability comments part of daily life’
“She said three years ago she was in a wheelchair when eggs were thrown at her.
“It really shocked me. The person who did it knew me, knew that I was an open book about my disability.
“It’s really hurtful when you spend your whole life trying to be positive about it.”
She said the incident, which she did report to the police, took a long time to recover from.”
Save The Student: 26th September 2019
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) guide 2019
“I found the assessment odd, but in a good way. For once, they were the ones trying to get you things, rather than you trying to justify it to them. They’re on your side, which was actually really nice…”
Mail on Sunday: 4th September 2019
Blog for Better
“Chloe Tear, below, started blogging aged 15 to document what it’s like to live with Cerebral Palsy, a lifelong condition that usually affects movement and co-ordination…”
RNIB: 18th June 2019
RNIB Sight Loss Advice
“Enjoy the ability to part crowds (most of the time) with your long cane. It’s a superpower!”
Huffington Post: 30th April 2019
Living With Sight Loss In Your 20s: ‘It’s Not The Only Thing That Defines Us’
“Going through that in your 20s is scary,” she adds. “You need support and you need people to try to understand. I think people forget the age that you are.”…
InvisiYouth: 3rd April 2019
Global Brand Leader
I’m 21 years old and I’m a disability blogger and activist who is in my final year of university. I’m currently studying Psychology and Child Development, as well as being the Disabilities’ Officer for the Students’ Union. I have mild Cerebral Palsy (CP) and I’m registered as partially sighted…
Wharfedale Observer: 11th March 2019
Student aiming to dispel the myths around sight loss
An award-winning student from Otley is helping to challenge misconceptions about sight loss. Chloe Tear has won a number of accolades for her work – including running the Life as a Cerebral Palsy student blog – as a disability activist…
Disability Horizon’s: 1st March 2019
Interview: we speak to disability activist and blogger Chloe Tear
Back in spring 2017, we spoke to disability blogger Chloe Tear about her life as a student with cerebral palsy. Since then, she’s achieved a lot. Her blog has now had more than 86,000 views, she’s been voted into the Shaw Trust’s Power 100 list, which recognises influential disabled people, and she’s worked with MPs to bring about change for disabled people…
Enable Magazine: 4th January 2019
New Year’s Resolutions
My resolutions for 2019 is to slow down. I had a very fast paced and exciting 2018 with incredible opportunities, but also personal challenges along the way…
Wharfedale Observer: 27th December 2018
National award – and letter from PM – for Otley disability activist
A DISABILITY activist from Otley has received a prestigious award – and a letter from the Prime Minister. Twenty one year old Chloe Tear has been presented with a Points of Light award in recognition of her outstanding voluntary work to raise awareness of cerebral palsy…
Wharfedale Observer: 18th December 2018
Otley Ambassador Christmas Speech
Teenage singer Emeli Mumford also performed while ambassador Chloe Tear gave an inspirational speech and Town Poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard read his new piece of verse about Otley…
JMW Solicitors: 17th November 2018
Misconceptions of Cerebral Palsy
Always ask. We will have lived with this disability for our whole life so probably will have been asked the same question that you are thinking of. I personally would not be offended by any question, as long as the individual’s question was out of genuine interest…
Wharfedale Observer: 18th October 2018
Student Chloe makes Disability Power 100 List
AN AWARD-WINNING campaigner from Otley has been named one of the most influential people with a disability in the UK. Twenty year old Chloe Tear was included in The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List at a launch event in London this week…
Companion Stairlifts: 12th September 2018
A guide to planning a holiday in the UK this spring
“When traveling I would definitely advise a lot of planning, I know it sounds obvious but I have had loads of places that claim to be accessible on the website, yet I get there and am faced by a flight of stairs, so I would say to always clarify what is meant by accessible, you will be amazed at what they sometimes say!”
Leeds Trinity University: 6th September 2018
Leeds Trinity student making a difference to disabled people in the UK
When I first heard about the nomination I was blown away! I received a phone call from a member of staff at Scope who oversees the volunteer work that I do and didn’t quite believe her. I have volunteered for Scope for four years, something I have done alongside my blog, and have been able to work with them on disability related campaigns over the years…
The National Student: 17th August 2018
These wheelchair users say people accuse them of faking their disability
‘People are shocked if I stand up or tell me I am making it up. It is because of these attitudes that awareness needs to be raised and I hope this hashtag does just that.’We are the same person whether we are stood up or sat down, this is our way of managing our disability or condition.’
Cosmopolitan: 4th July 2018
The important reason why the plastic straw ban doesn’t work for everyone
“I can completely understand that we want to help the environment and reduce plastic, we only have one planet and we do need to look after it,” she says. “But targeting straws is totally the wrong way to go about it.”
RNIB Connect Radio: 8th June 2018
Employment with Lord David Blunkett
‘This week Steven Scott finds out about some of the leading blind people in the world of work got into their careers. We also hear more on the discussion about religion and disability with one of’
JMW Solicitors: 8th August 2017
Inspiring other young people with disabilities
Attitudes towards disability are often negative, but they can also be positive. Not only that, it has also been proven that if the individual has more interaction with someone who has a disability, then their attitudes can only improve…
Wharfedale Observer: 20th July 2017
Student with cerebral palsy becomes charity ambassador
Chloe’s work for CP Teens and to raise awareness of the condition – including through her Life as a Cerebral Palsy Student blog – has seen her nominated for several national awards…
Wharfedale Observer: 7th July 2017
Otley Family of School launches Equality and Diversity Charter
Other special guests included Otley Ambassador and CP Teens Ambassador Chloe Tear and Leeds City council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Lisa Mulherin…
Wharfedale Observer: 16th June 2017
Rotary award for Otley student Chloe
AN OTLEY student has been presented with an award for raising awareness of cerebral palsy. Nineteen year old Chloe Tear, who was diagnosed with the neurological disorder when she was seven, received her Rotary Young Citizen Award last week…
Wharfedale Observer: 2nd March 2017
Leading figures from sport, science and the arts become Otley Ambassadors
A WORLD champion cyclist, a historical weapons expert and a TV scientist are among the first Otley Ambassadors. Otley Town Council has named a team of 16 individuals, chosen from the fields of sport, science, business, the arts and politics, who will represent the town in the new role…
Leeds Trinity University: 26th January 2017
Life as a Cerebral Palsy student
Meet Level 4 Psychology and Child Development student Chloe Tear. Chloe was born with mild cerebral palsy affecting her legs and left arm; her experience inspiring her to create her blog – Life as a Cerebral Palsy student…
Leeds Trinity University: 15th December 2016
Campaigning student nominated for national Young Citizen award
18-year-old Chloe Tear, from Otley, has been nominated for the 2017 Rotary Young Citizen Awards for her blog, Life as a Cerebral Palsy Student...
Wharfedale Observer: 2nd December 2016
Campaigning Otley student earns Highly Commended recognition in national award
AN OTLEY student’s inspirational work to raise awareness of cerebral palsy has earned her national recognition. Chloe Tear was Highly Commended in the Most Inspirational Young Person category of this year’s Kids Count Inspiration Awards…
Wharfedale Observer: 18th November 2016
Otley student shortlisted for national ‘inspirational’ award
A CAMPAIGNING Otley student is in line for another major award. Chloe Tear has already received an annual Young Achiever Award from Otley Town Council this year and was nominated for a National Diversity Awards (Positive Role Model) honour too…
