Voluntary organisations
National agencies
Throughout this booklet you will find references to help you. These can be obtained from organisations that serve particular needs, such as Arthritis Care, Carers UK, MIND (National Association for Mental Health), Multiple Sclerosis Society, RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation), Royal Mencap Society, RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind), RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People), SCOPE and Spinal Injuries Association.
Some organisations have networks of local groups which offer a range of activities and act as a channel for the services of the parent organisation. Just as important, they provide the support of people who share or understand your particular disability.
Disability Wales - Anabledd Cymru
This independent voluntary group works to promote the recognition, rights and support of disabled people in Wales through:
- a comprehensive information service accessed through central and mobile units and networks of local and national information agencies;
- encouraging new local disability groups and developing new information resources, training services and action packs for local groups;
- providing advice and consultation on access issues through its central Access Unit and a national network of local access groups;
- working with central and local government and professional bodies to encourage, develop and put into action effective policies and law.
Tel/textphone: (029) 2088 7325 (Mon-Fri 9.00-13.00 & 14.00-17.00);
Website: www.dwac.demon.co.uk.
Local groups
You are probably just a phone call away from an active group working in the interests of disabled people.You can obtain details by getting in touch with the national headquarters of organisations listed in 'Helpful organisations' or through the contacts given in Action points.
Coalitions of disabled people
These are support, campaigning and lobbying groups run by disabled people for disabled people.Your local group may have a resource centre which can lead you to the right equipment, services, benefits, grants and advice. Such groups are linked to The British Council of Disabled People (BCODP), representing over 100 independent organisations run by disabled people.
Tel: (01332) 295551;
Textphone: (01332) 295581;
Website: www.bcodp.org.uk.
Disability organisations
The names of local groups supplying information and services vary from one area to another, for example: Disability Advice Centre, Council for Disability or Disability Forum. Some may have local authority support. A Disability Action Group or Centre for Independent Living provides a focus for self-help independent living groups. There are also disabled women's groups and associations for particular disabilities.
Action point: 'Yellow Pages' under 'Disability - Information & Services' or 'Local Services' will list local disability associations. Or try www.yell.com.
- Your public library or information centre will be able to give you information on the work of groups in your area and how to contact them.
- Your local Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL) will have full details of all groups and services in your neighbourhood. See phone book for your local DIAL or call DIAL-UK on (01302) 310123.
- Councils of Community Service or Councils of Voluntary Service may have directories of local self-help and disability support groups.
- The Disabled Living Centre for your city or region will also have full details (for telephone numbers, see the list under 'Equipment' in the chapter on 'Help with everyday needs').
- Citizens Advice Bureaux can give advice about money, housing, legal and a wide range of other problems.
- NHS Direct can give you information about groups specialising in particular disabilities.Tel: 0845 4647.
