Newly disabled? Start here
My mobility started to reduce in my early 50s and I became a power-wheelchair user quite suddenly two years ago following my last stroke. I kept a notebook of the organisations, websites and bodies that I either found helpful or had to deal with for some reason.
I copy it below in the hope that it might shortcut the journey - or at least "springboard" some thoughts - for others who find themselves suddenly disabled. Waking up to realise you have a significant disability is bad enough - finding all the bureaucrats and organisations that you have to deal with is then a nightmare ... I couldn't find anywhere a single source of information on the subject, which is why I'm building a website that will hopefully signpost a route through the maze.
Anyway, these notes are obviously in places stroke related and you'll need to modify them for your own condition but they will hopefully still act as a jog in the right direction.
The landscape of websites and organisations offering help and advice to disabled people is changing all the time. This list is several years out of date (it predates the appearance of bespoken!) so please add any other useful links to sources of information, advice (or bureaucrats) by clicking the "Reply" button.
Hope the notes help some of you
George
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) |
An award of DLA - especially the Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) is typically taken as proof that you have a disability - the equivalent of the old "registered disabled". As such, it is an essential pre-cursor to many other benefits and entitlements. |
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/financialsupport/dg_1001... |
Blue Badge |
Apply to local authority - eg; Durham CC |
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Motability |
A new car in return for your DLA HRMC component payment. May require a cash injection from you if you want a larger car or need adaptations. |
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Second hand vehicles and directory of products |
JustMobility |
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Get a Disabled Railcard |
1/3 off fares, disabled access help |
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Join Mobilise campaign for the disabled - concessions on ferries etc |
Membership cheaper if you already have a Disabled Railcard |
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Apply for London Congestion Charge concession |
100% discount on congestion charge. Can register up to two vehicles. Costs £10 |
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/6736.aspx |
Panic alarm |
Amplicom panic phone £49.98 |
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amplicom-PowerTel-Alarm-Corded-Telephone/dp... |
Information & support
Stroke Association |
For all stroke sufferers |
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Different Strokes |
For younger stroke sufferers (age up to about 60) |
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RADAR |
Sells disabled toilet keys and guides |
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MouseAbility |
An organisation that lists companies and organistaions that welcome people with disabilities. |
Travel
Tourism for all |
Publishes guides and information for disabled access around Britain. Information on website is free but membership gets free guide and discounts |
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Air travel |
UK Government advice on air travel with a wheelchair etc. |
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/TravelHolidaysAndBreaks/... |
The Door-to-Door site offers a great deal of generic advice on disabled travel |
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Access Travel |
Specialist disabled travel holiday packages |
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CanBeDone |
Specialist disabled travel holiday packages |
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Disable Travel Advice |
Advice for the disabled traveller. Fairly wide-ranging but disappointingly generic advice |
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Mobilise |
Advice and representation for disabled motorists. Membership brings a monthly newsletter and a range of discounts on ferries / EuroTunnel, hotels, RAC / AA membership etc. |
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Disabled Motorists Federation |
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London |
Various guides to staying in and using our capital are available. |
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Open Britain |
Directory of accessible accommodation in Britain |
Driving
Newcastle Mobility |
Walkergate Park Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry Benfield Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4QD Tel: 0191 287 5090 |
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Bewick Mobility also carry out driving assessments |
01661 833913 Kevin |
Concessions
BBC Ouch! |
General advice and links to concessions |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/features/save_money_seek_out_disability_c... |
Cinemas |
Cinema Exhibitors Association Card (CEAC) costs £5.50 per year and provides one free ticket (for a carer) each time a full ticket is purchased for the disabled person. Requires DLA. |
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Theatres |
Most theatres offer one free ticket to disabled patrons, similar to the CEAC cinema scheme. You need to book seats ahead (of course). There is no centralised scheme - many theatres require you to register in advance (contact the individual theatre) but may also take a DLA letter, blue badge (or just the fact that you turn up in a wheelchair!) as good enough. |
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Toll crossings |
What a minefield - this area cries out for some coordination. |
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Blu... |
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by bespoken Team on
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Great resource George thanks for posting
Kind regards
Colin
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Permalink Reply by George Perfect on
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Thanks Colin - I hope it helps someone.
George
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Permalink Reply by Fiona McCall on
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Great to see the work you are doing. It took me 7 years to get everything in place to support me and it changes too, so always need new information. For support to stay in work or go self employed( if even a glimmer of an option) then www.gov.uk/access to work is a crucial place to start.
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Thanks for the addition Fiona - by the way, the correct link for anyone wanting to access the Access to Work scheme is https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
I'm sorry to hear it took you so long to sort things out. I'm sure that's a situation facing many people, sadly. You're right - the landscape for disability is always changing and it's really tough to keep up to date. If anyone else has advice or links they can add to this list please do post here - preferably directly under the main article (so we don't wander off the side of the [age in a maze of sub-threads - there's optimism for you!)
All contributions welcome.
Again Fiona - thank you
George
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StaffPermalink Reply by Colin Foskett on -
George has kindly provided us with his guide in a pdf format that you can download and save or print
- Attachments:
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Newly Disabled - Start Here.pdf, 111 KB
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