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• Support groups and organisations for disabled people

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• Support groups and organisations for disabled people

Support groups and organisations for disabled people

There are a large number of organisations providing support and information to disabled people and their carers.

Organisations with local branches:

• British Deaf Association - the largest organisation in the UK to be run by Deaf people, with the aim of developing a society where Sign language Users have the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities and quality of life as everyone else.
• Council of Disabled People - a charitable organisation that exists to promote and realise the interests of Disabled people regardless of class, colour, race, sexuality, gender and/or age.
• Coventry Carers Centre - the City's “one stop” centre for carers; people who look after a relative, friend or neighbour who, due to ill health or disability, cannot manage without their help at home.  
• Different Strokes -  a charity set up by and  for  young stroke survivors.
• Headway - Promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury; and provides information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers.
• Physical and Sensory Impairment Partnership - a public forum that links health and social care provision and pushes forward an agenda of service user involvement.
• Sense - Sense is the UK's largest organisation for children and adults who are deafblind or have associated disabilities.
• Spinal Injuries Association - 'because life needn't stop when you're paralysed'

National organisations:

• AbilityNet - are a charity that offers advice to people with disabilities on all aspects of computer usage for employment, communication, education, or just for fun.
• Action for Blind People - is a national charity which aims to enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy equal opportunities in every aspect of their lives through work, leisure, housing and support.
• Aidis Trust - lets Disabled People know how to maintain and adapt their computers. It tells them about a huge range of adaptations with installation and user guides. It also has reviews by end users and has a shop giving significant discounts on adaptations and computers for people who get DLA or AA.
• British Council for Disabled People (BCODP) - was set up by disabled people in 1981 to promote full equality and participation within society. They are an umbrella organisation that represents some 130 organisations run and controlled by disabled people.
• Disabled Information Advice Line (DIAL) UK - DIAL provides a link to information for people with disabilities, and to advice providers.
• Disability Sport England - creates opportunities for participation in sport for people with all disabilities.
• Disabled Workers Co-operative - has an on-line database of the skills, services and products disabled people have to offer and a job vacancies portal.
• Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) -  this national charity provides free, impartial advice and information about all types of daily living equipment for older and disabled people. This is done through the DLF website, their work with healthcare professionals and voluntary sector partners and their helpline service DLF has one of the largest Equipment Demonstration Centres in the UK.
• Down's Heart Group - a charity offering support and information relating to heart conditions associated with Down's Syndrome.
• Epilepsy Action (British Epilepsy Association) - The Epilepsy Action helpline provides advice and information on all aspects of living with epilepsy. They aim to reply to helpline queries by email within 48 hours.
• Keep Able - Provides mobility and lifestyle ideas.
• MENCAP - Working with people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.
• The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) - is an organisation of parents, families and carers which exists to support parents in enabling their child to maximise their skills and abilities.
• Rethink - Helping everyone affected by severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, to recover a better quality of life.
• RNID - Support and information for people who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) - If you need to register as blind, contact the RNIB.
• Scope - helps people with cerebral palsy to achieve equality in society.
• SeeAbility (Royal School for the Blind) - works with adults who are blind or partially sighted, and have a range of additional disabilities. The charity works to encourage people's independence and to enhance their quality of life. They are also involved in research projects and training courses for professionals who work with people who are blind or partially sighted.