Links
- related websites
- other related charities and organisations
- websites and accessibility
- international access organisations
- legal advice
Related websites
The Equality Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent body set up by the Government to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. The EHRC took over from the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality in 2007.
The EHRC has a number of specific functions:
- enforcing the law
- influencing the development of the law and government policy
- promoting good practice
- campaigns. events and communications
- fostering better relations
- developing understanding and evidence
For more information, visit the website www.equalityhumanrights.com
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published BS8300:2001 Code of Practice for the Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Based on a research study commissioned by the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (now DT), BS 8300:2001 replaces BS 5619:1978 Code of practice for the design of housing for disabled people and BS 58110:1979 Code of Practice for access for the disabled to buildings, which have been withdrawn. BS 8300:2001 covers both domestic and non-domestic buildings and their approaches. The recommendations contained within the document are primarily for application to new buildings; they can, however, be used as a guide in assessing the accessibility of existing buildings. Subsidised packs of five documents are available to registered charities only. For further details of this special pack contact Kate Westlake on 020 8996 7060.
For more information, visit the website www.bsi-global.com
To order hard copies of the latest Codes of Practice for the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 contact The Stationery Office (TSO) by clicking on the TSO logo above.
For more information, visit the website www.tso.co.uk
Other related charities and organisations
The Accessible Property Register (APR) is a service, which aims to tackle the problems that many people face when trying to buy or sell an accessible or adapted property. The website affords people the opportunity to:
- advertise accessible and adapted property for sale or rent
- search for accessible and adapted property for sale or rent
- look for property with specific adaptations
- contact property advertisers
- find links to providers of accessible property
For more information, visit the website www.accessible-property.org.uk
The College of Occupational Therapists (COT) represents the occupational therapists nationally and internationally, and contributes widely to policy consultations throughout the UK. The College sets the professional and educational standards for occupational therapy. It provides leadership, guidance and information relating to research and development, education, practice and lifelong learning.
For more information, visit the website www.cot.co.uk
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) is a national charity that provides free, impartial advice and information about all types of equipment for daily living for older and disabled people. They do this via their Helpline service, Equipment Demonstration Centre, free factsheets, online self-assessment tool, SARA and their search and comparison website for personal care products, Bathing made easy – www.dlf.org.uk/bathing
Central to the DLF and its services is DLF Data, the UK's most comprehensive database of assistive technologies. This valuable resource is used by the DLF's Helpline advisors to offer free and impartial advice to older and disabled people and their carers, and is available on subscription for use by health and social care professionals.
The DLF also co-ordinates a 'value for money' training course programme aimed at professional healthcare providers and carers. Carried out by expert trainers, these courses are held in the Equipment Demonstration Centre, the largest in the South East.
For more information, visit website www.dlf.org.uk
The Disabled Persons Transport and Advisory Committee (DPTAC) advise the UK Government on access for disabled people to transport. They also advise on the built environment.
For more information, visit the website www.dptac.gov.uk
Home Improvement Agencies are not for profit, locally based organisations that assist vulnerable homeowners or private sector tenants who are older, disabled, or on a low income to repair, improve, maintain or adapt their home. For the nearest agency, please contact Foundations, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) Appointed National Co-ordinating Body.
For more information, visit the website www.foundations.uk.com
The National Disabled Persons Housing Service (HoDis) exists to promote housing resources for disabled people in the UK in order to support their choice in housing and thereby maximize their independence and quality of life.
For more information, visit the website www.hodis.org.uk
The National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) is a resource for building owners and managers seeking advice on how to make improvements to the built environment in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) for the benefit of disabled employees and customers. It is the only UK-wide accreditation service for individuals that undertake access auditing and access consultancy. For further information telephone (hearing user) 18002 020 7735 7845, (text user) 18001 020 7735 7845.
For more information, visit the website www.nrac.org.uk
Ricability is an independent charity and as the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs (RICA) has over 30 years of consumer research experience. Ricability publish guides for older and disabled consumers on: assistive technology products, childcare equipment for disabled parents, car adaptations for drivers and passengers, community alarms, continence products, domestic appliances and telephones.
For more information, visit the website www.ricability.org.uk
Action on Hearing Loss is the largest charity representing the nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. Their vision is of a world where deafness and hearing loss are not barriers to opportunity and fulfilment.
For more information, visit the website http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/
The Sign Design Society (SDS) was formed in 1991 to promote excellence in signing and wayfinding. Its membership is drawn from all of the many skills which contribute to this frequently underestimated, yet vitally important, design discipline.
For more information, visit the website www.signdesignsociety.co.uk
Thrive is the only charity operating nationally in the field of disability and gardening. Thrive's activities focus on promoting the benefits of gardening to individuals and organisations, as well as teaching techniques and practical applications so that anybody with a disability can take part in and benefit from gardening.
Thrive runs two garden projects, one at Beech Hill near Reading, Berskshire, and a second in Battersea Park, London. The charity also has contacts and links with garden projects across the country. There is a membership scheme for professionals using gardening in health, education and social care and for those running specialist horticulture projects. Thrive runs a programme of training courses, has a comprehensive publications list and produces information packs on many different gardening subjects, including raised beds and sensory gardens. Thrive also publishes a magazine for members called Growth Point.
For more information, visit the website www.thrive.org.uk
Websites and accessibility
AbilityNet promotes the use of IT for disabled people and has centres throughout the UK. Services include assessments for individuals, training for individuals and professional careers and an advice and information line.
For more information, visit the website www.abilitynet.org.uk
User-lab is a research and development lab exploring usability issues pertinent to art and design, innovative digital technologies and electronic learning tools. Its purpose-built lab/testing facilities and production studio are based at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Birmingham City University. The lab undertakes commercial, academic and creative projects with a wide range of internal and external clients.
User-lab projects and activities take many forms, such as designing accessible websites and interactives, expert reviews, website user-testing, user research through focus groups and desk research.
For more information, visit the website www.biad.uce.ac.uk/research/user-lab/about.php
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding.
Part of W3C is the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) which produces guidelines widely regarded as the international standard for Web accessibility and supports materials to help understand and implement Web accessibility.
For more information, visit the websites www.w3.org and www.w3.org/WAI
International access organisations
Europe
The European Disability Forum (EDF) was created by its member organisations in 1996 to defend issues of common concern to all disability groups and to be an independent and strong voice of disabled citizens in dialogue with the EU. Its mission is to promote equal opportunities for disabled people and to ensure disabled citizens' full access to fundamental human rights throught their active involvement in policy development and implementation in the European Union. EDF has member organisations reflecting a broad geographical base and a wide range of concerns across the disability movement. The membership includes the national councils of disabled people from the 15 EU countries, plus Norway and Iceland. In addition, there are broad range of organisations representing different disability groups and campaign interests in Europe.
For more information, visit the website www.edf-feph.org
The International Commission on Technology and Accessibility (ICTA) was established in Sweden in the 1960s, in conjunction with Rehabilitation International (RI) and the Swedish Handicapped Institute. Michael Fox was elected ICTA Global Chair in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1996 and re-elected in Rio de Janeiro August 2000, as ICTA Global Chair 2000-2004.
For more information, visit the website www.ictaglobal.org
USA
Adaptive Environments promotes injclusive design and provides easy access to information and guidance about the civil rights laws and codes concerning access in the USA. Their work includes:
- funded projects with target audiences, specific services and products and grant periods
- consultation to public and private entities on accessible and universal or human-centered design
- generating initiatives in response to unmet needs that we research and most often evolve into proposals for funding
- promotion and education through web and print publications; lectures, workshops and conferences; formal and tailored courses; and public policy advocacy
For more information, visit the website www.adaptiveenvironments.org
The Center for Independent Living (CIL) aims to help people with disabilities live independently and become productive, fully participating members of society. The staff and board, most of whom are disabled, are strongly committed to supporting others in their efforts towards self sufficiency.
For more information, visit the website www.cilberkeley.org
The Centre for Universal Design, based within the College of Design, North Carolina State University, is a national research, information and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities and related products.
For more information, visit the website www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/
Legal advice
The Citizens Advice Bureau website aims to:
- put practical, reliable, up-to-date information at your fingertips
- cover a wide range of topics
- point to reliable sources of advice when you need more than information
The website covers England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and provides information in English, Welsh, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Urdu and Chinese.
For more information, visit the website www.adviceguide.org.uk
Community Legal Service Direct (CLS Direct) is a new service that can help you deal with your legal problems. It provides free information, help and advice direct to the public on a range of common issues. On the website you can:
- search for a quality local legal adviser or solicitor
- ask a question or choose a common topic and be directed to the best advice websites
- see if you are eligible for legal aid funding by using an online calculator
- view and print independently-written legal information leaflets on a range of popular topics
As well as using this website you can:
- call 0845 345 4 345 for legal help and advice
- get free initial advice from a qualified legal adviser about welfare benefits, debt or education between 9.00 and 17.00 weekdays (if you call outside office hours, just leave a message and you will be called back)
- f you are eligible for legal aid you can get further free legal help with your case by phone and post
- find quality local advice services for other types of problems
- order legal information leaflets
- listen to recorded messages about common legal problems 24 hours a day
For more information, visit the website www.clsdirect.org.uk
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