Other UK sources of information If you have read the booklet A Practical Guide for Disabled People, you will know whether your next port of call should your local Social Services Department. The booklet also contains many other useful phone numbers. The following (not arranged in any particular order) are some that existing sufferers have used. Disabled Living Foundation gives impartial advice about equipment for overcoming problems in daily living. Equipment is on display at their Centre at 384 Harrow Road, London W9 2HU; 0207 289 6111 (www.dlf.org.uk) Disability Information Trust publishes a series of reference books providing in-depth information on a wide range of equipment. Disability Information Trust Mary Marlborough Centre Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Oxford OX3 7LD 01865 227 592 Disabled Living Centres There are around 20 centres dotted about the country. They set out to make it easier for disabled people to live independently and give people a chance to see and try out products that could ease the difficulties. Driving Licences (DVLA Drivers Medical Unit, Swansea, SA99 1TU — 0870 600 0301) If you become disabled in a way which affects your fitness as a driver, you must inform the DVLA. You should expect your driving licence to be withdrawn until you have been assessed by a driving tester to see how well you can control a car (this is not the ordinary driving test). You will then have to get a doctor to sign a medical form to say you are medically fit enough to drive. If all is well, your licence will be reissued but it will list any special adaptations your car needs (hand controls, automatic gears, …). Orange/Blue Badge Scheme (Leaflet from the DETR; phone 020 7890 6800) This nation-wide scheme provides parking concessions for the disabled. The badges are obtained through your local Social Services Department. However in London special rules apply (obtain a Map for Orange Badge Holders by phoning 020 7747 4700. This also contains helpful notes). Disability Net 24–26 Glasshouse Street Nottingham NG1 3LW 01159 110 315 (www.disabilitynet.co.uk) Seemingly has contacts to everything. You may be lucky in finding just the information you need but beware. Some of the data on this web site is more than a year old and in some categories there is little of it. Nevertheless it is worth a look, or a phone call — you might just be lucky. Homecraft Chester-care Smith & Nephew sell a range of equipment for the disabled including wheelchairs, zimmer frames, rollators, ramps, walking sticks, bath aids, furniture, clothing, adapted household & kitchen items… For a catalogue and orders, contact: Smith & Nephew Homecraft PO Box 5665 Kirby-in-Ashfield Notts NG17 7QX (01623 722 337) Mobility Choice (www.justmobility.co.uk) This site lists hundreds of products and service companies plus hosts the Shopmobility web site covering over 240 schemes in the UK including vehicles, travel and holidays. The Disability Equipment Register (www.dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ae208/) — “The largest single source guide of used equipment for disabled people in the UK”. You can search for used equipment under the following categories:
Sadly the adverts are not dated. (www.dda.org.uk )
Other suggestions of useful contacts: Disability — Information & Services in the Yellow Pages will list local Disability Associations. Your local Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL) will have full details of groups in your area. Phone DIAL UK (01302 310 123) to find your nearest unit. National Centre for Individual Living (020 7587 1663). (www.esrin.esa.it:8080/handy/) — “Web site with information useful to disabled and their families. Information on aids, accessibility, documents, laws, articles, newsgroups, hotel, airports, transportation, courses, conferences, volunteer groups, software …” Magazines for the disabled Disability Now (www.disabilitynow.org.uk) For a free sample copy of Disability Now, phone 01454 642 444 (UK residents only). Disability Now is sent free to disabled people in the UK on means tested benefits. Therapy Weekly (www.therapy.co.uk) The only independent magazine for therapists. Gives details of Independent Living Events as wells as jobs, courses, conferences, … |