Useful organisations and contact points

This list is taken from the 2003 guide.

There are many sources of information and who you go to depends on what you want to know. If you need advice or help, you often have to be persistent and try different contacts if your first or second enquiry does not produce a satisfactory answer. We list here some general sources and the major organisations of and for disabled people. Remember that much depends on whom you speak to. They may be new in the organisation; they may be in a hurry to do something else, or the person who really knows is in the loo. On the other hand, you'll often come across people who will go to a great deal of trouble to help.

One of the more frustrating aspects of modern life is the more extensive use in big organisations of the structured 'multiple choice' questioning when you ring up. There is also much greater use of voice mail. The only advice we can give is that if the query is important, be persistent, or alternatively try some other way to get an answer.

Note that more and more organisations are relying on information posted on their website. Some of these sites are comprehensive and easy to use. Others, inevitably, are slightly less user-friendly. If you're looking for more contact points or information, most sites have a links page, and you may find somewhere else that has what you need.

If a telephone number or address listed here has changed, you will almost certainly be able to get the new one from one of the other agencies listed, if not from British Telecom directory enquiries on 118 500.

Action for Blind People

14 Verney Road SE16 3DZ
Tel: 020 7635-4800 Fax: 020 7635-4900.
website: www.afbp.org
e-mail: central@afbp.org
Offers information and advice. Publications include Ability not Disability which is a detailed brochure describing their services, and a regular newsletter.

Age Concern

Astral House, 1268 London Road, Norbury SW16 4ER
Tel: 020 8679-8000 Fax: 020 8765-7211.
website: www.ace.org.uk
e-mail: ace@ace.org.uk
The focal point for all voluntary groups concerned with and for older people. Extensive information and advice service.

Artsline

54 Chalton Street NW1 1HS
Tel/Textphone: 020 7388-2227 Fax: 020 7383-2653,
website: www.artsline.org.uk
e-mail: info@artsline.org.uk
Artsline provide an up-to-date telephone information and advice service about all aspects of access to arts and entertainment activities. They have a great deal of experience and knowledge of what is possible and practicable, and an extensive and well researched database about access to theatres, cinemas, music venues, galleries and museums. Apart from suggestions about where to go, they may be able to tell you something about the attitudes of management. They can advise about which events are free. Artsline are concerned to promote participation in the arts by disabled people as well as informing about the possibilities of spectating. The telephone service currently operates Mon to Fri from 09.30 to 17.30. They are involved in the publication of a monthly magazine DAIL (Disability Arts in London) which has up-to-the minute listings and reviews.

British Council of Organisations of Disabled People (BCODP)

Litchurch Plaza, Litchurch Lane, Derby DE24 8AA
Tel: 01332-295551 Fax: 01332-295580 Textphone: 01332-295581.
website: www.bcodp.org.uk
e-mail: bcodp@bcodp.org.uk
The BCODP is an umbrella organisation working to ensure that disabled people have the major say in policy issues and decisions which affect them.

British Tourist Authority (BTA)

Thames Tower, Blacks Road, Hammersmith W6 9EL
Tel: 020 8846-9000 (administrative offices only)
Operates the British Visitor Centre, 1 Lower Regent Street SW1Y 4XT with mainly step free access. It provides a wide range of information and services of a general nature about travelling in and through Britain. Only limited information for disabled visitors is available.

Can Be Done

7 Kensington High Street W8 5NP
Tel: 020 8907-2400 Fax: 020 8909-1854
website: www.canbedone.co.uk
e-mail: cbdtravel@aol.com
Can Be Done is a small tour operator that organises tailor-made holidays and tours in London and elsewhere in the UK, for both groups and individuals. All are 'accessible'. Its director, Jackie Scott, is herself a chair user, and aware of the travel requirements of disabled people.

Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE)

Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street SE1 2NY
Tel/Textphone: 020 7357-8182 Fax: 020 7357-8183.
website: www.cae.org.uk
e-mail: info@cae.org.uk
The CAE aims to improve access to buildings and the environment generally, working with and through architects and others. It offers information and training on the accessibility of the built environment for disabled people. It has a useful range of publications including design sheets and reading lists. Expert information can be provided on all technical and design issues relating to access provision. CAE promotes an excellent series of seminars on a wide range of topics, training workshops and an access audit service.

DIAL (UK) (National Association of Disablement Information and Advice Lines)

St Catherine's, Tickhill Road, Balby, Doncaster DN4 8QN
Tel: 01302-310123 Fax: 01302-310404.
e-mail: DialUK@aol.com
DIAL coordinates local groups offering free advice and information on all aspects of disability. Each centre is run by a group of local people with direct experience. The groups operating in the London area are:

Disability Alliance (DA)

Universal House, 88 Wentworth Street E1 7SA
Tel: 020 7247-8776 (11.00-15.00) Fax: 020 7247-8765.
website: www.disabilityalliance.org
The DA consists of many of the major voluntary groups and produces The Disability Rights Handbook. This is updated every year, and outlines the various benefits to which disabled people are entitled in straightforward language. This handbook also contains a comprehensive list of the organisations of and for disabled people. Telephone advice is given but the office is not open for personal callers. The Rights Advice Line is 020 7247-8763, currently open Mon and Wed 14.00-16.00. For advice at other times, you can try the DSS's Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800-882200.

Disabled Drivers Association (DDA)

National HQ Ashwellthorpe, Norwich NR16 1EX
Tel: 01508-489449 Fax: 01508-488173.
website: www.dda.org.uk
e-mail: ddahq@aol.com
The DDA aims to encourage and help disabled people to achieve greater mobility. It has branches all over the country. They publish a quarterly journal The Magic Carpet.

Disabled Drivers Motor Club (DDMC)

Cottingham Way, Thrapston, Northants NN14 4PL
Tel: 01832-734724 Fax: 01832-733816.
website: www.ddmc.org.uk
The DDMC also aims to encourage and help disabled people to achieve greater mobility. Information is available from the office, and via a bi-monthly journal The Disabled Driver.

Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)

380 Harrow Road W9 2HU
Tel: 020 7289-6111 Textphone: 020 7432-8009 Fax: 020 7266-2922,
website: www.dlf.org.uk
e-mail: dlfinfo@dlf.org.uk
The DLF works to help disabled people in aspects of ordinary life which present difficulty. It has a large showroom and has a comprehensive information service on specialised equipment of all kinds. Advice is given on visual impairment, incontinence, music, sport, clothing and skin care. A publication list is available on application. An appointment is necessary as you usually get shown round by an expert. Their showroom is completely accessible and has a wheelchair toilet. Parking possible if you book. The display includes a special kitchen for visually impaired people.

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)

Zone 1/143, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street SW1P 4DR
Tel: 020 7944-8011 Textphone: 020 7944-3277 Fax: 020 7944-6998
website: www.dptac.gov.uk
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk
DPTAC was set up as an independent body to advise government on the transport needs of disabled people throughout the UK. I produces a wide range of reports and advice, and consults extensively with the aim of advising government about appropriate policies to meet people's needs. Because of its wide brief, it can also be a useful source of information.

Disablement Income Group (DIG)

PO BOX 5743, Sinchingfield CM7 4PW
Tel: 01371-811621.
DIG promotes the financial welfare of disabled people through a programme of advice, advocacy, research, information and training. It publishes The Journal quarterly.

Forrester (William)

1 Belvedere Close, Guildford, Surrey GU2 6NP
Tel: 01483-575401,
is a London Registered Guide, and a round-Britain tour escort. He is a chair user himself, and has extensive experience of organising and leading trips and visits, both for disabled individuals and groups. For London visitors, he offers a tailor-made day tour, travelling together by accessible taxi. Specialist tours are available of Westminster Abbey, the British Museum and Houses of Parliament, and an itinerary planning service is offered. Early booking necessary.

Hearing Concern

7/11, Armstrong Road, Acton, London W3 7JL
Tel: 020 8743-1110 Fax: 020 8742-9043 Textphone: 020 8742-9151 National helpline: 08457-0744600.
website: www.hearingconcern.org.uk
e-mail: hearing.concern@ukonline.co.uk
Hearing Concern is a leading provider of advice and support for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Everyone with a degree of hearing loss is at a disadvantage. It's a disability which attracts little attention but can be difficult and embarrassing.

Holiday Care

7th Floor, Sunley House, 4 Bedford Park, Croydon CR0 2AP
Tel: 0845-1249976 (information); 0845-1249974 (administration); Textphone: 0845-1249976 Fax: 0845-1249972
website: www.holidaycare.org.uk
e-mail: holiday.care@virgin.net
The UKs central source of travel and holiday information for disabled or disadvantaged people. Produces the Holiday Care Guide to Accessible Accommodation which gives details of accessible facilities and attractions across the UK. Also produces an information sheet on Accessible Accommodation in London inspected against the National Accessible Standard. They have been instrumental in improving some of the attitudes concerning disability and disabled travellers within the tourist industry.

London Tourist Board (LTB)

6th Floor, Glen House, Stag Place SW1W 5AG
Tel: 020 7932-2000 Fax: 020 7932-0222 (address for administrative purposes only).
website: www.Londontouristboard.com
LTB and borough tourist office desks are the main source of tourist information in London. They can tell you whether places will be open and give information about costs and concessions. The amount of specialised information they have for disabled visitors is limited, although their website now contains a section for disabled visitors. It is reached via 'Visit London', 'Planning your visit', and 'London welcomes disabled visitors'. Be careful however, because the information there is somewhat variable. It includes the comment that "Getting around London with a disability is easy" which does not accord with the experience of many disabled people. We think that you will find the description of 'Getting Around' in Access in London much more realistic and comprehensive.
There are desks at the Heathrow terminals, and Waterloo International arrivals hall.

In Inner London there are Tourist Information Centres as follows:

Outer London Tourist Information Centres are at:

The LTB operates a comprehensive range of recorded information services called Visitorcall. They cover events, shows, where to take the children, river trips and the weather. There are as many as 35 different numbers. The principal ones are listed in the London Business and Services Telephone Directory. The information is regularly updated, but will include nothing about access.

Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)

12 City Forum, 250 City Road EC1V 8AF
Tel: 020 7250-3222 Textphone: 020 7250-4119 Fax: 020 7250-0212.
website: www.radar.org.uk
e-mail: radar@radar.org.uk
RADAR is the central coordinating body for all the voluntary groups concerned with disabled people. It supports over five hundred local and national disability organisations, and campaigns for improvements in disabled people's lives. RADAR provides advice and information on a wide variety of subjects to support independence and equality for disabled people, including access, housing, specialised equipment, benefits available and local authority responsibilities. It produces an extensive publications list: an annual guide for disabled people, Holidays in the British Isles; the monthly RADAR Bulletin and the National Key Scheme Guide to accessible toilets using the RADAR key.

Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB)

224 Great Portland Street W1W 5AA
Tel: 020 7388-1266 Textphone: 0845-758691 Fax: 020 7388-2034.
website: www.rnib.org.uk
Promotes facilities for the rehabilitation, training and employment of blind people and provides a range of braille publications. It advises on a wide range of problems and needs. RNIB publishes a monthly magazine, New Beacon. Their publication European cities within reach - London is promoted as an access guide to London, and usefully mentions a few places which provide audio guides. RNIB publications come from Customer Services, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-7023153 Fax: 01733-371555 Textphone: 0845-585691.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)

19-23 Featherstone Street EC1Y 8SL
Tel: 020 7296-8000 Textphone: 020 7296-8001 Fax: 020 7296-8199 Free information line: 0808-8080123 free textphone: 0808-8089000.
website: www.rnid.org.uk
e-mail: helpline@rnid.org.uk
The RNID aims to promote and encourage both the alleviation and prevention of deafness. It is mainly a service organisation, and offers information and training. RNID Typetalk is the national telephone relay service which enables deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate. The RNID have a library, a medical research unit and the Tinnitus Helpline. If you're looking for advice and information about equipment, visit the Sensory Services Centre, Ground Floor, Connaught House, Broom Hill Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0XR
Tel: 020 8498-9911 Textphone: 020 8498-9922 e-mail: redbridge@rnid.org.uk.

SCOPE

6 Market Road, Barnsbury N7 9PW
Tel: 0808 800-3333
website: www.scope.org.uk
e-mail: cphelpline@scope.org.uk
Scope's services for people with cerebral palsy focus on four areas: support and information for parents and carers, education, daily living, and work. It has branches all over the country, and publishes the widely read magazine Disability Now.

SHAPE (London)

LVS Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road N7 6PA
website: www.shapearts.org.uk,
is a major provider of training in the arts. In addition it runs the Shape Ticket Scheme [Tel: 020 7700-0100 Fax: 020 7700-8143] to enable disabled and elderly people to enjoy a wide range of arts events. Membership of the scheme costs £15 per year. Under certain circumstances, they may be able to provide a volunteer to go with you, and provide transport. They currently work with over 100 venues, and so can offer a wide range of possibilities. As it may take a little time to set up, you need to be well organised at least two or three weeks before the event.

Shopmobility

12 City Forum, 250 City Road EC12 8AF
Tel/fax: 020 7689-1040
website: www.justmobility.co.uk/shop
e-mail: nfsuk@lineone.net
provides invaluable services and resources in a number of outer London shopping centres (and in many other parts of the country). It tries to ensure that disabled people have equal opportunity of access to both shops and services. Most commonly schemes are sited in the centre of shopping areas with adjacent orange/blue badge spaces. Shopmobility offers scooters and both manual and powered chairs for use, and will have valuable local knowledge.
The Shopmobility website is excellent, and includes a wealth of information about all the schemes, including when they are open, how many parking places there are, and what they offer in the way of help.

The London Shopmobility schemes are currently at:

Transport for London

42-50 Victoria Street, SW1H 0TL
Tel: 020 7222-1234 Textphone: 020 7918-3015. Advice is available 24 hours a day.
website: www.tfl.gov.uk
Only limited parts of the underground are accessible, see the map and description in the Access in London book, or in Access to the Underground published by Transport for London. An increasing number of low floor and wheelchair accessible buses are coming into use in London, and the call centre will have the latest information.

Wheelchair Travel

1 Johnston Green, Guildford, Surrey GU2 6XS
Tel: 01483-233640 Fax: 01483-237772.
website: www.wheelchair-travel.co.uk
e-mail: trevor@wheelchair-travel.co.uk
Probably the best (and almost the only) source of converted vehicles for hire. Trevor Pollitt who has established and built-up this service over a number of years is well known to us. Wheelchair Travel has a number of adapted minibuses with either tail lifts or ramped access available for hire with or without a driver. In addition they have cars with hand controls, and 'Chairman' cars.