This guide tells you where to find information, services and equipment if you:
- are a disabled person
- are an older person
- have mental health problems
- support or care for someone.
The guide is designed to provide you with accurate up-to-date information about your rights and the services you can use. It should also be helpful to those working in services for disabled people and in voluntary organisations.
Throughout the guide you will see:
- Action point: directs you to a place to go or someone to talk to;
- Reference point: tells you about publications and where you can get further information. (Note: Voluntary organisations appreciate a stamped, selfaddressed envelope if you are sending for free material.)
The information in this guide mainly relates to services in England, although some contact details are given for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A Practical Guide for Disabled People or Carers can also be made available on request in Braille, audio cassette, disk, large print and in other languages.
If you wish to notify the Department of Health about a change to an organisation's details, please email:
The Department of Health wishes to thank all the individuals and organisations who provided information for this publication. Particular thanks to the members of the steering group for the original edition of this guide: Jean Ashcroft (Arthritis Care), Stephen Bradshaw (Spinal Injuries Association), Ann Darnbrough (National Information Forum), Anne Davies & Patrick Molloy (Disability Information Trust), Maggie Winchcombe (Disabled Living Centres Council).
Every effort is made to ensure that the information herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors, omissions or misleading statements in that information caused by negligence or otherwise and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies or individuals mentioned.
