General information and advice

The Government website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople gives lots of information on various issues.

Capability Scotland - Advice line: 0131 313 5510 Email: ascs@capability-scotland.org.uk Website: www.capability-scotland.org.uk Capability Scotland was set up to support people with cerebral palsy, but has developed to support children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities. One of Scotland’s leading disability organisations, it provides a diverse range of services including community living, day and residential services, employment, respite/short breaks, therapy, education and learning, family support and activities. Its very useful website has downloadable publications and factsheets on many subjects, including equipment, holidays and leisure activities, and wide range of links.

Carers Direct is a national information, advice and support service for carers in England. Available online at www.nhs.uk/carersdirect and as a free, confidential helpline seven days a week on 0808 802 0202, it provides accurate, relevant information for carers and those who support them.

Cerebra - Tel: 01267 244 200 Helpline: 0800 328 11 59 Email: info@cerebra.org.uk Website: www.cerebra.org.uk Cerebra is a charity that offers an information and support service for parents, carers and others involved with any child or young person with a brain related condition. It has a range of factsheets, including an excellent guide to claiming DLA, runs a postal book library and has a number of regional offices. It can also give grants for certain kinds of equipment and therapy.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau - Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk Provides an online guide to rights, benefits etc. The home page will direct you to pages for all parts of the UK.

Contact a Family Tel: 020 7608 8700 Fax: 020 7608 8701 Helpline: 0808 808 3555 Email: info@cafamily.org.uk Website: www.cafamily.org.uk/index.php For families of disabled children, whatever the disability. Excellent website with good UK wide links. Produces a directory of rare conditions (also on the website). Puts families in touch with each other or local groups. Produces helpful leaflets.

Council for Disabled Children - Tel: 020 7843 1900 Fax: 020 7843 6313 Email: cdc@ncb.org.uk Website: www.ncb.org.uk/cdc/home.aspx Provides collaboration between organisations offering services and support for children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs.

DIAL UK - Tel: 01302 310 123 Fax: 01302 310 404 Email: dialuk@scope.org.uk Website: www.dialuk.info Information and advice on a range of disability issues. Umbrella organisation for over 160 Dial UK advice centres run by & for disabled people. Produce regularly updated fact sheets and booklets, downloadable from their website.

Face 2 Face - Tel: 0844 800 9189 Email: face2facenetwork@scope.org.uk Website: www.face2facenetwork.org.uk A network of trained volunteer befrienders. HemiHelp also has a local group scheme which will put you in touch with other members in your region. For more information contact the office.

Gransnet - Website: www.gransnet.com  A new social networking site from Mumsnet for the UK's 14 million grandparents.

Kids: Working with Children with Special Needs - Tel: 020 7520 0405 Fax: 020 7359 3520 Email: enquiries@kids.org.uk Website: www.kids.org.uk Provide services to children with special needs and their families through Family Centres in London (020 7520 0405), the West Midlands (0121 355 2707), Yorkshire & the Humber (01482 467540), the South West (0117 947 6111) and the South East (01329 312312) - call national office or refer to website for further regional contact details.

Mumsnet (SN area) - Website: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special-needs The parents' support website has a dedicated area for the parents of children with additional needs. Mumsnet has campaigned on a number of family issues, including calling on local authorities to improve respite care for parents of disabled children.

RADAR (Royal Association for Disability Rights) - Tel: 020 7250 3222 Fax: 020 7250 0212 Email: radar@radar.org.uk Website: www.radar.org.uk/radarwebsite/ RADAR campaigns for better lifestyles for disabled people and their families by providing information and advice on many issues, including education, holidays and mobility. Produces good leaflets which are regularly updated. Supports about 700 member groups. Has a guide to the National Key Scheme, which allows people with disabilities to use over 8000 locked toilets across the UK (you can also order a key from the site).

REACH: The Association for Children with Hand/Arm Deficiency Tel: 08451 306225 Fax: 08451 300262 Email: reach@reach.org.uk Website: www.reach.org.uk/reachcms/ Similar organisation to HemiHelp providing information and support for people with an upper limb deficiency. Provides a regular newsletter, local group and a one-handed recorder loan scheme.

SCOPE - Tel: 0808 800 3333 Email: response@scope.org.uk Website: www.scope.org.uk Scope is a disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. Information, advice and initial counselling. Has a wealth of experience and knowledge of cerebral palsy. Many publications. Able to advise on education, specialist equipment, etc. Runs schools as well as a further education college in Lancaster.

Stroke Association - Tel: 020 7566 0300 Helpline: 08453 033100 Fax: 020 7490 2686 Email: info@stroke.org.uk Website: www.stroke.org.uk Information and advice, much of which is relevant to hemiplegia. Centres throughout the UK. Phone the Publications Department at 01604 231000 for literature. If you are based in Scotland, contact: Chest, Heart and Stroke Association Tel: 0131 555 7240

Yourable.com - Website: www.youreable.com Friendly internet-based disability info & news service. Vast range of information, including messages, posted to the site by its users.