Newly diagnosed?

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It can be difficult tracking down the information that you need, the following are just some of the many organisation that now exist to offer advice, information, help, products and services.

Contents:


General sources of information

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) - see your local Yellow Pages or call 0207 833 2181 for details of your local office.
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk

Disability Information Advice Lines (DIAL)
Information for disabled people and their carers - see your local Yellow Pages or call DIAL UK on 01302 310123 for information on your local DIAL service.
Website: www.dialuk.co.uk

Youreable
Information via the net on benefits, money matters, products etc.
Website: www.youreable.com

Disability Information Service
Diss offers disability information to enquirers across the UK.
Website: www.diss.org.uk

Disability UK website
Provides generak information.
Website: www.disabilityuk.com

The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)
RADAR publishes a number of useful leaflets, including information about:

  • holidays
  • transport
  • the W.C. National Key Scheme (for admission to accessible toilets)

Tel: 0207 250 3222
Website: www.radar.org.uk

Money

  • Benefits Enquiry Freephone - call 0800 882200
  • Forms Completion Service - call 0800 441144
  • Welfare Rights Officers may be available through your local council or CAB.
  • Northern Ireland Benefit Enquiry line - call 0800 220674

See also ‘General sources of information' and the Community Legal Service website that offers advice on entitlement and help in filling in the various forms (see below).

Carers

Carers UK
free-phone: 0808 808 7777
Website: www.carersonline.org.uk

Age Concern Helpline
Tel: 0208 679 8000 (ask to be put through to the helpline)
Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk

Help the Aged senior line
Tel: 0808 800 6565
Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk

Equipment

The Disability Living Foundation holds a large database of aids and equipment. Larger local libraries may have a copy of the list.
Helpline: 0845 130 9177 (calls are 8p a minute)
Websitewww.dlf.org.uk

For information on ‘Local Disability Living Centres’, call the Disabled Living Council for details of your local centre.
Tel: 0161 834 1044

Occupational therapists can assess your needs and they are available through your local Social Services.

You may also want to consider obtaining equipment second hand. The Disability Equipment Register offers this service.
Tel: 01454 318818
Website: www.disabreg.dial.pipex.com

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has a comprehensive Adaptations Manual that provides advice and practical ideas on adapting your home.
Tel: 0207 720 8055
Email: ot@muscular-dystrophy.org

More information on the Adaptations Manual

Legal

The Disability Law Service offer free legal advice to people with disabilities
Tel: 0207 791 9800

Local Law centres

  • See your Yellow Pages
  • Check with your local Citzens' Advice Bureau (CAB)
  • The Community Legal Service website www.justask.org.uk


Travel

Tripscope
Offers advice on travel arrangements.
Tel: 08457 585641
Website: www.tripscope.org.uk

Holiday Care
Offers information on the many different aspects involved with holidays.
Tel: 01293 774535
Website: www.holidaycare.org.uk

NHS/health

NHS direct is a 24-hour helpline.
Tel: 0845 4647
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Community Health Councils offer information on local GP practices.
See your Yellow Pages or visit the website:
www.achcew.org.uk


Useful publications

The Disability Rights handbook is published every April and is a thorough, in depth guide to benefits and rights for disabled people and their carers.
Call: 0207 247 8776 to order a copy (cost varies). (Your local library may also have a copy.)
Or visit the website at: www.disabilityalliance.org

‘Disability Now’ is a newspaper with news, views and articles on disability.
To subscribe, call: 01454 642444 or visit its website: www.disabilitynow.org.uk


Information about other publications