Web Links
General Contacts
Ann Craft Trust
(Protection from abuse of adults and children with learning disabilities)
A National Group dedicated to the protection from abuse of adults and children with learning disabilities.
Tel: 0115 9515400
Website: www.anncrafttrust.org
After 16
Information and advice on transition planning.
Website: www.after16.org.uk
Asperger's Syndrome Foundation
Committed to promoting awareness and understanding of Asperger's Syndrome.
Website: www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk
Assist UK
Advice on independent living equipment.
Tel: 0870 7702866
Website: www.assist-uk.org
Association for Real Change
The website for the Association For Real Change serves a membership based organisation which supports providers of services to individuals with a learning disability. The organisation promotes best practice, providing information and support and training services to its members.
Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH)
Offers advice and information for people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus and their families and carers - to achieve individual choice, control and quality of life.
Tel: 0845 450 7755
Website: www.asbah.org
British Council of Disabled People (BCODP)
Campaigns for the rights of disabled people, nationally and internationally.
Tel: 01332 295551
Website: www.bcodp.org.uk
British Deaf Association
Information and guidance related to hearing impairment.
Website: www.signcommunity.org.uk
British Epilepsy Association
A Registered charity which campaigns and provides information on all matters relating to epilepsy.
Website: www.epilepsy.org.uk
British Institute for Learning Disabilities (BILD)
The website for BILD includes information, training, publications, network and search facilities.
British Psychological Society Faculty for Learning Disability
BPS provides a forum for psychologists who have an interest in working with children and adults with learning disabilities.
Care for the family
A telephone befriending service for parents of children with additional needs.
Tel: 029 2081 0800
Website: www.careforthefamily.org.uk
Carers
Information and guidance for carers.
- Carers Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 9043 9843
Website: www.carersni.org
- Carers Scotland
Tel: 0141 221 9141
Website: www.carersscotland.org
- Carers UK
Tel: 020 7490 8818
Website: www.carersuk.org.uk
- Carers Wales
Tel: 029 2081 1370
Website: www.carerswales.org
CBIT- The Child Brain Injury Trust
A registered charity supporting children, young people and families affected by an acquired brain injury to enable them to achieve their potential.
Tel: 01869 341075
Helpline: 0845 601 4939
Website: www.cbituk.org
Cerebra
For Brain injured children and young people.
Providers of information, support, training and research for parents and professionals supporting many injured children and young people.
Tel: 0800 328 1159
Website: www.cerebra.org.uk
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
This organisation exists to improve the lives and conditions of people with learning disabilities and accompanying challenging behaviour, their families and carers.
Tel: 01634 838739
Website: www.thecbf.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Provides free information and advice.
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Community Living
A resource with accessible information, advice and support services.
Community Service Volunteers
CSV works to reconnect people to their community through volunteering and training.
Tel: 020 7278 6601
Website: www.csv.org.uk
Contact a Family
Contact a Family is a UK charity which provides support and advice to parents, whatever the medical condition of their child. The organisation has information on rare syndromes and disorders. It has a network and is involved in campaigns.
DIAL UK
Provides information and advice on all aspects of living with a disability.
Tel: 01302 310123
Website: www.dialuk.info
DANDA
Developmental Adult Neuro- Diversity Association
For people with conditions such as Dyspraxia, ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome.
They are offering emotional and practical support, raising awareness and establishing a network of support groups.
Website: www.danda.org.uk
Directgov
Government information on independent living, benefits, rights and education.
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/disability
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/carers
Disability Alliance
Offers various advice and information.
Tel: 020 7247 8776
Website: www.disabilityalliance.org
Disabilities Care Register, The
Free service for those looking for care homes or independent housing options.
Tel: 0800 389 2077
Website: www.carechoices.co.uk
Disability Rights Commission
Campaigns to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
Tel: 0845 762 2633
Website: www.drc-gb.org
Disabilitynow
National disability newspaper.
Website: www.disabilitynow.org.uk
Disabled Parents Network
For disabled people who are parents and their families, friends and supporters.
Tel: 0870 241 0450
Website: www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk
Disabled Living Centres Council
They offer independent advice on appropriate equipment for disabled people.
Tel: 0161 834 1044
Website: www.dlcc.org.uk
Disabledgo
Information on access to all sorts of services.
Website: www.disabledgo.info
Down's Syndrome Association
The only UK organisation focusing solely on all aspects of living successfully with Down's Syndrome.
Tel: 0845 230 0372
Website: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Undertakes the role of the Disability Rights Commission in Northern Ireland.
Tel: 0289 050 0600
Website: www.equalityni.org
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Campaigns to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity.
Tel: 0845 762 2633
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Every Disabled Child Matters
A campaign promoting disabled children and their families.
Tel: 0207 843 6318
Website: www.edcm.org.uk
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
The Foundation has an excellent website containing a wide range of information. As part of a regular update on learning disability sites, the Foundation operates the Connects Portal which lists over 3000 sites, many of which have been reviewed. A useful search facility.
www.learningdisabilities.org.uk
www.connects.org.uk
Fragile X Society
A UK charity providing support, information and friendship to families whose children and relatives have Fragile X Syndrome. They also help professionals.
Tel: 01371 875100
Website: www.fragilex.org.uk
Headway (The Brain Injury Association)
Aims to promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers.
Tel: 0115 924 0800
Website: www.headway.org.uk
Inspired Services
Accessible information, advice and support services.
Tel: 0800 0430 980
Website: www.inspiredservices.org.uk
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
The JRF website includes information on the latest research and development, publications and 'findings'.
Learning Disabilities UK
A large and impressive website which aims to be "the most informative and up to date learning disability related site in the UK". Features include a discussion forum jointly run with the Community Living Journal.
http://www.learningdisabilitiesuk.org.uk/
Learning Disability Awards Framework
The official site for the LDAF which may be of interest for those searching for the latest information on education and training developments.
Learning Disability Practice
Learning Disability Practice is a RCN journal for those working with people with learning disabilities. It contains editorial and news as well as practice updates and research information. There is a searchable archive of material.
www.nursing-standard.co.uk/learningdisabilitypractice
Mencap
A comprehensive website with access to information and resources from the major learning disability charity and care provider.
Mulitple Sclerosis National Centre
Tel: 0808 800 8000
Website: www.mssociety.org.uk
National Autistic Society
A key website for information on autism including advice and support networks, policies and campaigns, media, publications and volunteering.
National Development Team
Information about this independent, not- for- profit development agency seeking new opportunities and inclusion in ordinary life for people with learning disabilities.
Tel: 01473 836440
Website: www.ndt.org.uk
National Centre for Independent Living
Provides information about personal assistance and direct payments.
Tel: 020 7587 1663
Website: www.ncil.org.uk
National Electronic Library for Learning Disabilities
Part of the National Electronic Library for Health.
The site aims to provide access to best current knowledge in relation to development and delivery of services for people with a learning disability.
Website: http://www.library.nhs.uk/learningdisabilities/Default.aspx?pagename=HOME
National Family Carer Network
Links groups and organisations which support families that include an adult with a learning disability.
Tel: 0117 906 1751
Website: www.familycarers.org.uk
Norah Fry Centre
Part of the University of Bristol and established in 1988, the Norah Fry Centre has become established as one of the leading centres in the UK for research into services for people with learning disabilities. The Centre undertakes research and produces reports, including an information series called 'Plain Facts'.
Paradigm UK
The site of a consultancy and development agency working across health, housing and social care.
PARIS (Public Autism Resource & Information Service)
An online database provided by the National Autistic Society (NAS) . It draws from a UK - wide database of diagnostic services, schools, support groups, training courses, residential and day services and much more.
PARIS is designed to help people with autism (including those with Asperger's Syndrome), their families and people who work with them proffessionally to find out more about the services available to them.
Prader Willi Syndrome
This is a registered charity dedicated to supporting people with Prader Willi Syndrome; their families, carers and the professionals who work with them.
Tel: 01332 365 676
Website: www.pwsa.co.uk
Progress Magazine
Essential transition gudie for 13-25 year olds.
Website: www.progressmagazine.co.uk
RADAR
They campaign for better lifestyles for disabled people.
Tel: 020 7250 3222
Website: www.radar.org.uk
Respond
This is a charity which provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.
Tel: 020 7383 0700
Website: www.respond.org.uk
Rett Syndrome Association UK
A national charity offering advice, practical help, friendship and support to people with Rett Syndrome, their families and carers.
Tel: 0870 770 3266
Website: www.rettsyndrome.org.uk
Royal National Institute of the Blind
Services and campaigns on behalf of those who are visually impaired.
Tel: 0845 766 9999
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
RNID
RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this with the help of our members, by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.
Scope
Information and counselling related to cerebral palsy.
Tel: 0808 800 3333
Website: www.scope.org.uk
Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
SENDIST - Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
Hears appeals about the education of children with special needs.
Tel: 0870 241 2555
Website: www.sendist.gov.uk
Sense
The UK's largest organisation for children and adults who are deaf, blind or have associated disabilities.
Tel: 0845 127 0060
Website: www.sense.org.uk
Smith- Magenis Syndrome Foundation UK
A family based self help group formed to provide help and information to families with a member, who has Smith- Magenis Syndrome and interested professionals.
Tel: 028 877 69441
Website: www.smith-magenis.co.uk
Specialist Libraries
A specialist site providing a web-based portal to practice and policy information by the NHS aimed at professionals in a variety of settings can be found:
http://www.library.nhs.uk/learningdisabilities/Default.aspx?pagename=HOME
The electronic Library for Social Care (eLSC) contains a database of references and abstracts which can be searched online.
The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Services
One of a number of specialist sites this national charity offers information and resources to anyone needing assistance.
Tizard Centre
Information relating to this multi- disciplinary group undertaking research, teaching and consultancy, based at the University of Kent at Canterbury
Tel: 01227 764000
Website: www.ukc.ac.uk/tizard/
Tourette Syndrome (UK) Association
A registered charity dedicated to:
- Educating, informing and campaigning
- Providing support
- Promoting medical research
on behalf of all those affected by Tourette Syndrome.
Trans-active
Teenagers working together, includes a lot of information on transition.
Website: www.trans-active.org.uk
Transition Information Network
Advice for disabled young people.
Website: www.transitioninfonetwork.org.uk
Valuing People
This site is the initiative of the Department of Health team responsible for helping with the implementation of the Valuing People White Paper. An excellent resource.
Values into Action
A UK-wide campaigning organisation and registered charity working to promote the rights of people with learning difficulties to become citizens with full access to the opportunities of ordinary community life. Work is undertaken through research and good practice development, provision of advice and information, publications and training events.
Voice UK
An organisation specifically providing support for people with learning disability who have experienced crime or abuse. Also provides support to families, carers and professional workers. A helpline and legal advisers are offered.
Voice
A national charity committed to empowering children and young people in public care and campaigning for change to improve their lives.
Tel: 020 7833 5792
Website: www.voiceyp.org
Williams Syndrome Foundation
Run by parents for parents of children who have the syndrome.
Tel: 01732 365152
Website: www.williams-syndrome.org.uk
