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 This list is several years out of date (it predates the appearance of bespoken!)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

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=279

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.

http://www.motabilitycarscheme.co.uk/main.cfm

Second hand vehicles and directory of products

JustMobility

http://www.justmobility.co.uk/Index.asp

Get a Disabled Railcard

1/3 off fares, disabled access help

http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/

Join Mobilise campaign for the disabled - concessions on ferries etc

Membership cheaper if you already have a Disabled Railcard

http://www.mobilise.info/

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

http://www.stroke.org.uk/

Different Strokes

For younger stroke sufferers (age up to about 60)

http://www.differentstrokes.co.uk/

RADAR

Sells disabled toilet keys and guides

http://www.radar-shop.org.uk/

MouseAbility

An organisation that lists companies and organistaions that welcome people with disabilities.

http://www.mouseability.co.uk/

 

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

https://www.tourismforall.org.uk/

Air travel

UK Government advice on air travel with a wheelchair etc.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/TravelHolidaysAndBreaks/...

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

The Door-to-Door site offers a great deal of generic advice on disabled travel

http://dptac.independent.gov.uk/door-to-door/index.htm

Access Travel

Specialist disabled travel holiday packages

http://www.access-travel.co.uk/

CanBeDone

Specialist disabled travel holiday packages

http://www.canbedone.co.uk/

Disable Travel Advice

Advice for the disabled traveller.  Fairly wide-ranging but disappointingly generic advice

http://www.disabledtraveladvice.co.uk/

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.

http://www.mobilise.info/

Disabled Motorists Federation

 

http://www.disabledmotoristsfederation.org.uk/

London

Various guides to staying in and using our capital are available.

http://www.accessinlondon.org/

Open Britain

Directory of accessible accommodation in Britain

http://www.openbritain.net/openbritain/

 

Driving

 

Newcastle Mobility

Walkergate Park

Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry

Benfield Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE6 4QD

Tel: 0191 287 5090

Email: northeast.drivemobility@ntw.nhs.uk

Website: http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/section.php?l=4&p=243

Bewick Mobility also carry out driving assessments

01661 833913

Kevin

http://www.bewickmobility.co.uk/driving.html

 

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.

http://www.ceacard.co.uk/

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.

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/access/

Toll crossings

What a minefield - this area cries out for some coordination.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Blu...

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Great resource George thanks for posting 

Kind regards

Colin

Thanks Colin - I hope it helps someone.

George

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.

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

George has kindly provided us with his guide in a pdf format that you can download and save or print

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