SIGNPOSTS TO HELP FOR DISABLED PEOPLE AND THEIR CARERS
This short guide cannot, of course, be comprehensive. But it suggests some resources that may help you a lot. Throughout the text you will find many highlighted Internet links that should take you to the relevant websites where you can find further information.
ACCESS
Centre for Accessible Environments offers free information on all aspects of designing for accessibility. Tel/text: 020 7357 8182; www.cae.org.uk
ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Citizens Advice Bureaux offer free and confidential advice on benefits, debt, housing, welfare services, employment rights, consumer law, local resources etc. For nearest, see your phonebook.
Libraries are a rich source of information about local services.
Local authorities provide educational, housing, social and welfare services (not necessarily free). Some have one-stop advice centres. See your phonebook under the name of your local authority.
Yellow Pages directories list local community services in the front. There is a section in most under the heading 'Disability- Information and Services'.
Disability Information and Advice Centres are located in many areas. For the nearest, try Yellow Pages (see above) or ring DIAL UK: 01302 310 123; www.dialuk.org.uk
AIDS AND EQUIPMENT
Disabled Living Centres are located in a number of towns and cities. They show, demonstrate and provide information and advice about aids and equipment. For details of local centres phone 0161 834 1044 (voice), 0161 839 0885 (text); www.dlcc.org.uk
The Disabled Living Foundation in London has a particularly extensive information service. Helpline 0845 130 9177 (cost of local call).
ARTS
Artsline is London's information and advice service on access to the arts for all disabled people. Tel/text: 020 7388 2227; www.artsline.org.uk
BENEFITS
Benefits Agency provides a freephone enquiry line for disabled people:
England, Scotland, Wales: 0800 882 200 (voice),
0800 243 355 (text); www.dwp.gov.uk
BLINDNESS AND PARTIAL SIGHT
Royal National
Institute for the Blind (RNIB) has a wide range of relevant services.
Helpline 08457 66 99 99 (cost of a local call); www.rnib.org.uk
CARING
Crossroads Caring for Carers has local care attendant schemes: 0845 450 0350 (cost of local call); www.crossroads.org.uk
Carers UK provides information for carers. Freephone 0808 808 7777; www.carersonline.org.uk
The Princess Royal Trust exists to make it easier for carers to cope by providing information, support and practical help to carers. www.carers.org
CEREBRAL PALSY
Scope's aim is that disabled people achieve equality: a society in which they are as valued, and have the same human and civil rights as everyone else.www.scope.org.uk
CHILDHOOD DISABILITIES
Contact a Family provides information and advice about children's disabilities and support services: freephone helpline: 0808 808 3555 (voice), 0808 808 3556 (text); www.cafamily.org.uk
DEAFNESS AND HEARING LOSS
Hearing Concern is a mutual self-help organisation with a helpdesk that will provide
information about hearing impairment and link you to local advisors
and clubs:
0845 074 4600 (cost of a local call); www.hearingconcern.org.uk
Royal National Institute for Deaf People provides a wide range of services for people with hearing impairment. Freephone: 0808 808 0123 (voice), 0808 808 9000 (text); www.rnid.org.uk
EDUCATION
IPSEA offers
advice for parents of children with special educational needs:
freephone 0800 0184 016; www.ipsea.org.uk
EMPLOYMENT
Employment opportunities for people with disabilities helps disabled people find and retain work and provides advice. Tel/text: 020 7481 2727. www.opportunities.org.uk
FURTHER EDUCATION
Skill gives information and advice to disabled students about further and higher education, freephones: 0800 328 5050 (voice), 0800 068 2422 (text); www.skill.org.uk
GARDENING
Thrive gives information and guidance to disabled people and older people on easier gardening. 0118 988 5688; www.carryongardening.org.uk
HEALTH
NHS Direct offers free and confidential professional information and advice on healthcare matters: 0845 4647 (cost of a local call). You can also get a wide range of information about the NHS and other support services. NHS Direct Online provides similar services. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
HOLIDAYS
Tourism for All UK provides holiday information for disabled people: 0845 124 9974 (voice), 0845 124 9976 (text) (cost of a local call); www.tourismforall.org.uk
HORTICULTURE
Thrive promotes the use of gardening and horticulture. www.thrive.org.uk
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Foundations is the national co-ordinating body for home improvement agencies in England and can give you details of local agencies. Tel: 01457 891909; www.foundations.uk.com
LEARNING DISABILITIES
MENCAP-Royal
Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults has information,
advice and support services throughout England, N.Ireland and Wales:
freephone helpline: 0808 808 1111 (voice), 0808 808 8181 (text); www.mencap.org.uk
LEGAL SERVICES
Children's Legal
Centre runs a confidential free advice and information service: 01206
873 820; www.childrenslegalcentre.com
Disability Law Service provides legal advice and representation on issues
that relate to disability: 020 7791 9800 (voice), 020 7791 9801 (text);
www.dls.org.uk
Law Centres are located in many areas. They provide free legal advice (but not on criminal matters). Try your phonebook or Law Centres Federation: 020 7387 8570; www.lawcentres.org.uk
MENTAL HEALTH
MIND - National Association for Mental Health has an information line: 0845 766 0163 (voice), 0845 330 1585(text) (cost of a local call); www.mind.org.uk
MOTORING
Mobility Centres provide information and advice on driving and choosing or adapting a car. For nearest, try your phonebook or ring: 01372 841100, www.qefd.org
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Department of Health publishes and regularly updates 'A practice Guide for Disabled People or Carers'. Available free from Department of Health Publications, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH. Tel: 08701 555 455. Text: 08700 102 870
Directgov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online. It provides information from across UK Government departments. (www.direct.gov.uk/disability) and caring for someone sections contain lots of useful information on government disability and carers services.
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS SIGNPOST INFORMATION.
It is intended
to be concise and simple, but if you feel that there are key services
that we have missed, please let us know. National Information Forum,
33 Highshore Road,
London SE15 5AF. Telephone: 020 7708 5943
The National Information Forum would welcome your views about this website so that we can be as sure as possible that we have got it right.
The Signpost information is, of course, very limited but we hope you find it helpful to point you in the right direction to find out more.
UPDATED January 2008