This page is a work in progress – it is intended to provide contact details for some of the organisations that can provide free advice and support to disabled people, on issues such as benefits, housing, independent living, and how to become involved in disability rights campaigning and activism.
There are also many good sources of paid support, but this page is only for those organisations and networks that do not charge for their advice or support.
Please get in touch via [email protected] if there are any organisations you would like added to this page or if you would like to suggest any amendments.
Coronavirus
Here are some links to good sources of information and support during the coronavirus pandemic:
The Department of Health and Social Care
National Survivor User Network
Activism and campaigning
If you want to campaign against government cuts or otherwise fight for independent living for disabled people or other issues of disability rights, these are some of the organisations of disabled people you could contact:
Mental Health Resistance Network
The Alliance for Inclusive Education
WinVisible (campaigns and supports disabled women):
If you would like to discuss concerns online with other disabled people and allies, these are some of the forums that you might consider joining:
The Disability Hate Crime Network
Disability hate crime
If you believe you have been the victim of a disability hate crime:
If you are in immediate danger, a crime is happening now, or a suspect for a serious crime is nearby, phone the police on 999 or 18000 on textphone
Visit the True Vision hate crime website, which is run by The National Police Chiefs’ Council
You can report a hate crime in some parts of England through the Stop Hate UK website
If you are in Waltham Forest or Newham in London, visit Stay Safe East
For advice and support from other disabled people and allies with experience in this area, try visiting the Disability Hate Crime Network Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/disabilityhatecrimenetwork/
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
Discrimination
If you believe you have been discriminated against because you are a disabled person – for example on public transport, in a shop, pub, or at work – you could try these resources:
Inclusion London has a useful guide, which includes advice on what to do if things go wrong. Its Disability Justice Project also has an excellent page on how to source legal advice
Contact the Equality Advisory Support Service, a government-funded helpline that replaced the Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline and covers England, Scotland and Wales
Contact your local Law Centre. Here is a list of Law Centres
Here is a page with details of Scotland’s Law Centres
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
For mental health-related issues around discrimination, visit the Mind website
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
Education
If you are over 16, and the course is in England, contact Disability Rights UK for advice and support through its Disabled Students Helpline
Contact your local Law Centre. Here is a list of Law Centres
Here is a page with details of Scotland’s Law Centres
For sources of information and advice on special educational needs (SEN) issues, visit Advicenow
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
DABD, a charity in Barking and Dagenham, offers advice and support with education, skills and employment to disabled people in those and neighbouring boroughs
Employment
If you are not receiving the support you need as a disabled person at work, or you believe you have otherwise faced discrimination:
For information, visit the Advicenow website
Inclusion London’s Disability Justice Project has an excellent page on how to source legal advice
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
Contact your local Law Centre. Here is a list of Law Centres
Here is a page with details of Scotland’s Law Centres
Visit Scope’s free helpline
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
DABD, a charity in Barking and Dagenham, offers advice and support with education, skills and employment to disabled people in those and neighbouring boroughs
Housing
If you have housing-related problems, these are some of the steps you could take:
Visit Scope’s free helpline
Contact Shelter’s helpline
Inclusion London’s Disability Justice Project has an excellent page on sourcing legal advice
Contact your local Law Centre. Here is a list of Law Centres
Here is a page with details of Scotland’s Law Centres
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
Human rights
If you believe that your rights as a disabled person have been breached, these are some of your options:
Contact the Equality Advisory Support Service, a government-funded helpline that replaced the Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline and covers England, Scotland and Wales
Inclusion London’s Disability Justice Project has an excellent page on sourcing legal advice
For advice on human rights issues in England and Wales, contact Liberty
For mental health-related issues around human rights, contact Mind
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
Inclusion London has a useful guide, which includes information about disability rights
Independent living
If you do not believe you are receiving the support you need to live independently:
Inclusion London has a useful guide, which includes advice on what to do if things go wrong. Its Disability Justice Project also has an excellent page on sourcing legal advice
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
For information and advice on social care personal budgets and direct payments, contact the Disability Rights UK helpline or email service
Visit Scope’s free helpline
For mental health-related issues around independent living, visit Mind’s website
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
DABD, a charity in Barking and Dagenham, offers advice and support with social care and mobility and transport to disabled people in those and neighbouring boroughs
Mental health
If you need urgent support with your mental health:
Mind has information if you need advice or support with your mental health
Papyrus provides free, confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide
Rethink has a page with advice on who to contact
Samaritans can be contacted free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or emailing [email protected]
SOS Silence of Suicide provides email and telephone support for those who need ’emotional support, understanding, compassion and kindness’
Social security and poverty
If you need support or advice on a claim for social security/benefits, you can:
Contact your local Law Centre. Here is a list of Law Centres
Inclusion London’s Disability Justice Project has an excellent page on sourcing legal advice
Here is a page with details of Scotland’s Law Centres
Contact your local Citizens Advice office
Contact the non-profit benefits advice service Fightback4Justice for advice on PIP, DLA, ESA and universal credit (some services are free, some are chargeable)
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
Visit Scope’s free helpline
For information on benefits, visit the Advicenow website
In Scotland, visit Disability Information Scotland
RNIB is working with HMRC to support blind and partially sighted people with tax and benefit issues. The service is free and confidential
If you have applied for disability-related benefits and are not happy with how your claim has been dealt with, some of the options include:
Contacting your local MP to ask them for their support. You can find your local MP here
Contact your local Citizens Advice office
Or in Scotland, visit the Citizens Advice Scotland website
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
Contact the non-profit benefits advice service Fightback4Justice for advice on PIP, DLA, ESA and universal credit (some services are free, some are chargeable)
If you are a disabled person and have problems related to poverty or debt, you can contact these organisations:
Rethink Mental Illness’s Mental Health and Money Advice service
Visit the website Turn2us for your nearest sources of information and advice, and for written information and advice, visit this Turn2us page
DABD,a charity in Barking and Dagenham, offers advice and support with benefits and financial independence to disabled people in those and neighbouring boroughs