Disability Resources

A number of Charity Fundraising Ltd clients including Essex Autistic Society www.essexautistic.org.uk and Autism West Midlands www.autism.westmidlands.org.uk work with adults and children with disabilities or learning difficulties, including providing sheltered employment opportunities and therapeutic work as component parts of rehabilitation. The following sites relate to disability issues.

The homepage of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), an independent body established in 2000 to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. The DRC offers support and seeks to find practical solutions for with disabled people, employers and service providers; including a telephone Helpline. For full details of services provided by the DRC, visit their website.

The link to the homepage for people with disabilities of the ‘Directgov’ website (a directory providing information on government and public services). Information is provided for people with disabilities, including employment, financial support, home and housing options, health and support, education and training, rights and obligations, amongst others.

The Mental Health Foundation works to promote good mental health in the UK; to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. Work includes undertaking research, developing services, working towards influencing policy and raising public awareness through media work, information and online services. The Mental Health Foundation incorporates the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is one of the most comprehensive website on learning disabilities / difficulties in the UK. The Foundation works to promote the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning difficulties. Work includes research and development projects to promote social inclusion and citizenship, and raising public awareness through spreading knowledge and information. The website provides information on the work of the foundation and links on help and support for people with learning disabilities and difficulties.

Link from the National Statistics website to the Disability Statistics Users' Group (DSUG).

The British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) is a national umbrella organisation, founded by disabled people themselves in 1981, which works to promote the full equality and participation of disabled people within society. It now represents some 130 organisations (all run and controlled by disabled people) and is seen as the disabled people’s movement in Britain. The BCODP website contains information on issues affecting disabled people and full details of the organisation.

disabilityWORLD.com was established in 1999, borne from the frustration of not knowing where to find relevant information for people with disabilities and their families. The result is a comprehensive directory of information and websites relating to disability.

Focus on disability seeks to provide a wide range of information for disabled people and their carers in the UK. The comprehensive list of topics covers useful organisations, addresses, website links and information pages.

The homepage of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the UK’s leading charity campaigning for equal rights for people with sight problems, and offering information, support and advice. Full details of the RNIB’s works and services can be found on the website.

The Shaw Trust is a national charity seeking to enable people who are disadvantaged in the labour market, for example as a result of disability, ill health or other circumstances, with opportunities and training for employment. The Shaw Trust is one of the largest providers of employment for people with disabilities.

The Shaftesbury Society is a large Christian charity supporting and providing practical services for people with disabilities or on low income; helping them to find security, self-worth and significance. The society works primarily in education, adult support and development and regeneration.

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) helps older and disabled people to find equipment solutions, which enable them to enjoy the opportunities created by greater mobility and to lead independent lives. The Foundation seeks to break down the barriers excluding them form living a full and productive life. The DLF website provides information about the organisation, links to helpful organisations and details of the DLF advice helpline, in addition to the provision of factsheets to assist people in choosing suitable and appropriate mobility equipment.

Remap is a registered charity, which provides one-off technical aids and equipment to enable disabled people of all ages to enjoy a better lifestyle. Visit the website for information about Remap’s work and for details about how to contact the charity to enquire about support.

Mencap is one of the leading UK learning disability charities, seeking to challenge attitudes of the stigma of learning disability, and working in support of equal rights. Mencap works with people with learning disabilities, in addition to their families and carers, to enable fuller quality of life for those affected. The website provides full details of the charity, including information, support and advice, in addition to a list of potentially useful websites.

Youreable has created a community-based website, which incorporates information, products and services for disabled people.

Mind is one of the leading mental health charities in England and Wales, working to create a better life for anyone affected by mental illness, of any degree. Full details of the work of the charity are available on the website.

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a charity which provides practical support to people with mental health needs across the UK. Services provided by the charity are wide-ranging, and include residential housing, employment and training, community support services and a national Helpline for all those affected by mental health. Full details available on the website.