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Useful organisations - A

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• A2 Housing Group
  A2 Housing Group offer a variety of extra care housing schemes throughout the South East. The latest of these is Beechwood Court in Sunbury which offers a collection of homes with the latest in assistive technology.

• A Step Forward
  Provide information, advice, and campaign for equality for disabled people. Campaigns include improved access to buildings, shops and schools.

• A-Z Guide for Care Homes and Nursing Homes
  Publish the National Guide to Care Homes. Produce a database available on the Internet which includes information on 6,300 nursing homes and 12,500 residential care homes throughout the UK.

• Abbeyfield Society
  The Abbeyfield Society is a UK-wide volunteer-led charity providing housing with care for older people to combat loneliness.

• Ability Housing Association
  Promote independent living for people with physical or learning disabilities, and people recovering from a mental illness.

• Ability On Line
  Ability On Line is a free internet community where children/youth with disabilities/illness and their parents can meet other like them, make friends from all over the world, share their hopes an fears, find role-models and mentors, and feel like they belong.

• Ability2travel
  Ability2Travel is a professionals agency providing assistance for individuals who wish to travel yet require help with their special needs.

• AbilityNet
  Offer an information service to people who find using standard computer systems difficult and offer advice on adaptive computer technology. Activities include consultancy and assessment services to assist in choice and use of computer equipment at work and at home. Centres established in Bristol, Warwick, Cambridge, Liverpool, London, Reading, York, Weybridge and Edinburgh.

• Access All Areas
  Offers a variety of access audit and DDA compliant solutions using 'reasonable adjustment' as recommended by the DDA and the DRC.

• Access Association
  The Access Association is a networking organisation for professionals concerned with the inclusive and accessible environment.

• Access in London
  Guide to London, published most recently in 2003. Access in London was researched by Pauline Hephaistos Survey Projects (PHSP) with assistance from Artsline.

• The Access Collaboration Ltd
  The Access Collaboration is a national firm of Access Auditing and consultancy, specializing in DDA. Based in Kent, they advise a wide range of clients on improving their services and facilities.

• accessatlast Ltd
  accessatlast is a service that will provide wheelchair users with the information and equipment required to ensure peace of mind when staying away from home.

• Accessible Holidays
  Website dedicated to disabled customers and their families to help them find accessible accommodation all over the world. Also includes links to other accessible services, for example, equipment hire, wheelchair hire and car rentals.

• Accessible Property Register
  Bringing accessible property into the mainstream. This site aims to be a one stop shop for anyone looking for accessible or adapted property for sale or rent.

• Accessible Travel and Leisure
  Organisation that researches accessibility of holiday destinations across the world. Information provided about overseas services, equipment hire, resort services, care, visitor attractions, and destination facilities (pubs, clubs, restaurants, museums etc).

• Accident Line
  Aims to help people injured in an accident to decide whether they can make a claim. Provide free legal consultation with a local solicitor specialising in injury claims. Medical negligence and advice also given.

• ACE Centre Advisory Trust (North)
  Provide information and expertise in the use of technology as an aid to communication. Provide also a range of services including in depth assessments of the communication needs of individual young people in education, training of professionals and parents, and research and development. The centre is involved in projects working with manufacturers of equipment by advising on the special needs of communication impaired children, or developing specialised software to meet specific accessing and educational needs. It has a library of short term loan equipment and also produces publications. This centre covers the north of England. The Ace Centre South covers the south of England.

• ACE Centre Advisory Trust (South)
  Provide information and expertise in the use of technology as an aid to communication. Provide a range of services including in-depth assessments of the communication needs of individual young people in education, training of professionals and parents, and research and development. The centre is involved in projects working with manufacturers of equipment by advising on the special needs of communication impaired children, or developing specialised software to meet specific accessing and educational needs. It has a library of short term loan equipment and also produces publications. This centre covers the south of England. The Ace Centre North covers the north of England.

• ACEVO
  Acevo is the only professional organisation for chief executives in the voluntary sector. Contribute to the increased effectiveness of the voluntary sector by helping chief executives through a wide range of carefully focussed services. Provide a series of activities for members to enhance their personal development and leadership. Their core task is promoting effective leadership for the benefit of the third sector and representing the sector leaders. Provide appropriately tailored information, advice and support, together with professional development and first class networking opportunities.

• ACT
  Act works to promote the best possible palliative and supportive care for children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and their families. Provide a telephone helpline, database of useful organisations, publications, research, training and membership.

• Action Against Allergy
  Provide information to those who are chronically ill from what is thought to be a breakdown in the immune system leading to different forms of allergy. They campaign for diagnosis and treatment through NHS doctors, hospitals and clinics.

• Action Against Alopecia
  Offer advice and listening support to people with alopecia, including information on treatments and wearing wigs.

• Action Against Breast Cancer
  Against Breast Cancer is a charitable organisation that funds work into the causes of breast cancer. The Against Breast Cancer research team has a unique approach to breast cancer in that it looks at the whole woman; her tumour, her response to the tumour and her environment.

• Action for Blind People
  Provide services for people with visual impairment in the areas of work, leisure, housing, accommodation, information and advice and grants to individuals.

• Action for Kids
  Aims to help physically and mentally disabled young people find a greater level of independence and opportunity through the provision of appropriate support.

• Action for Leisure
  Action for Leisure is a small national charity promoting play and leisure with and for disabled adults and children. Offers a range of training courses on play and leisure for disabled people, parents, carers, staff and volunteers working in a variety of settings.

• Action for ME
  Action for M.E is the UK's leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with M.E.

• Action for Sick Children
  Action for Sick Children is the UK's leading children's healthcare charity, specially formed to ensure that sick children always receive the highest standard of care possible. Work to improve the services and attitudes to the way childrens are treated when they are unwell in hospital, at home and in the community.

• Action for Victims of Medical Accidents
  Provide independent advice and support to anyone who has suffered a medical accident, including medical and legal advice. Arrange referrals to a medical negligence solicitor. Provide a range of services for lawyers specialising in the field including the recommendation of appropriate medical experts.

• Action on Elder Abuse
  Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) is the UK's only national organisation giving help and information to all concerned about the abuse of older people.

• Active Assistance
  National service providing live-in care packages to enable physically disabled adults to live independently in their own home. Active Assistance specialises in supporting young adults with a spinal cord injury and those with a neurological condition such as MS. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm.

• Active Birth Centre
  Provide ante-natal and post-natal classes and workshops. Run a mail order service and hire and supply water birth pools.

• Adapt Trust
  Adapt Trust is a registered charity offering advisory and consultative services to managements and their professional advisers wishing to make their premises more accessible to people with disabilities. Also able to offer an advisory service for new buildings. Administers one or two selected small grants for improvements to arts venues.

• ADFAM
  Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol, and is a leading agency in substance related family work. Provides a range of publications and resources for families, and operates an online message board and searchable database of local support groups. Runs a range of training programmes on substances and family support, and operates direct support services at London prisons for families of prisoners with drug problems. List of resources is available.

• ADHD National Alliance
  Every day over 75 children in the UK are born or diagnosed with a serious disability or rare syndrome and the vast majority of them are cared for at home. Contact a family is the only UK charity providing support and advice to parents whatever the medical condition of their child.

• Advice Services Alliance
  Aims to build awareness in the advice sector of existing Alternative Dispute Resolution services, including court-based and out-of-court services. This will include any service offered within the advice sector and any new developments or planned initiatives in this field. Produce a guidance manual for advice agencies covering current ADR service provision, what to consider when advising clients of their options for resolving disputes and making referrals. Provide training to advisers on making appropriate ADR referrals. Publish a free quarterly briefing on ADR developments, reports, issues and recent court cases.

• Adviceguide
  The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of Citizens advice, providing people with round- the-clock access to CAB information on their rights - including benefits, housing and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.

• Advisory Centre for Education
  Provide advice to parents who need information and support on education law and practice in schools including admissions, special needs, exclusions, bullying and complaints. Helpline open Mon-Fri, 2pm-5pm.

• Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People
  Promotes the needs of disabled and elderly telephone users and provides an independent bridge between them and the telecommunications industry. Produce reports and public information booklets including an information pack; notes on the use of text terminals; results from a study into the telephone needs of disabled and elderly people and telephone access for people in care. They do not take enquiries from the general public.

• Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education
  Works in the field of preventative education. Encompasses the areas of health and personal and social education, with particular expertise and experience in alcohol and drug education and demand reduction.

• AFASIC
  Parent-led organisation which helps children and young people with speech and language impairments. Promote understanding, acceptance, equal opportunities and the integration into society of children and young adults with speech and language impairments. Helpline open Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm.

• African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
  The Trust aim to register as many 18 to 45 year old potential life savers of African, African Caribbean and Mixed Parentage descent into the UK Bone Marrow Register. The objective is to try to save the lives of Black people across the world, who urgently require a transplant from a matching donor from their own ethnic/racial group.

• Against Breast Cancer
  Against Breast Cancer funds a new, innovative and unique research programme into treatment and prevention of breast cancer, focusing particularly on metastases and survival after breast cancer. A team of researchers, funded by ABC, is based at University College Hospitals with ABC units around the UK. The ABC Research Team's aim is to find a vaccine against breast cancer. Their three-pronged attack looks at how the cancer cell, patients' natural resistence, and their environment interact.

• Age Concern England
  Works to promote the well being of older people and help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Federation of over 400 organisations and groups provide direct services for older people locally and are independent organisations in their own right. Publish fact sheets and an 'Information Bulletin' with information on community care, consumer affairs, disability issues, health and health service information, heating, housing, income and benefits.

• Age Concern Scotland
  Improves services for older people and campaigns on their behalf. Supports a network of 350 local groups providing practical services and friendships for older people in Scotland. Brings together in membership, national organisations and individuals committed to improving the quality of life for older people.

• Age Exchange Theatre Trust
  Aim to emphasise the value of older people's memories by putting the spotlight on them. Through theatre, publishing, exhibitions, in-service professional programmes and inter-generational projects they record and celebrate older people's experience and their valuable role in their communities today.

• Aid for the Aged in Distress
  National charity concerned with frail elderly people facing immediate hardship or distress whose personal needs cannot be met by statutory or voluntary services. Helps to sustain people in their own homes by making personal grants as a contribution to the cost of necessary equipment or other exceptional expenditure.

• Aid to the Church in Need (UK)
  International Catholic pastrol relief agency, giving spiritual and material aid wherever the Church is persecuted, oppressed or in need.

• Aidis Trust
  Provide specialised computer equipment to people with disabilities to aid their communication.

• Aids Education and Research Trust
  AVERT provide comprehensive information to prevent people from becoming infected with HIV. Aims to improve the quality of life for those already infected, and works with others to develop a cure. Fund research into HIV and Aids for improved treatments and understanding of HIV.

• Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire
  Offers understanding support for families and friends of problem drinkers. Runs a confidential helpline and an Alateen service for teenagers (aged 12-20) affected by a problem drinker. Supports a network of over 1,000 self-help groups and local groups. No membership or charges made for services.

• Albinism Fellowship
  Provide information, advice and support to or for people with Albinism. Services include newsletter twice a year, regional meetings, telephone helpline, and bi-annual conferences.

• Alcohol Concern
  National agency working to reduce the costs of alcohol misuse and to develop the range and quality of helping services available to problem drinkers and their families. Publish a quarterly magazine, educational and training materials and a range of leaflets and posters.

• Alcoholics Anonymous
  Voluntary worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

• ALD Family Support Trust
  Support ALD sufferers and their families, and raise public awareness of the disease.

• Alexander Trust
  Provide information for special needs children and their families.

• All Go Here
  This site is based on and around the concept that all the hotels, airlines and other places and services listed herein can be used by anyone, able bodied or disabled.

• Allergy Induced Autism
  Operate parent telephone helpline on weekdays. Produce a journal and range of publications. Run awareness events, conferences, forums and presentations.

• Allergy UK
  Provide an information and advice service to people with allergies.

• Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia
  Aims to be the national voice to improve public policies and to provide and secure the provision of high quality services for both people with dementia and for their carers. Has over 45 projects and branches through Scotland, providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services.

• Alzheimer's Research Trust
  Seeks to establish the first multi-disciplinary research centre towards treating or curing the condition.

• Alzheimer's Society
  Works through a national network of 180 local branches, 80 support groups and 100 contact people. Offers information and about Alzheimer's disease; all representatives have either personal or professional experience of the disease. Helpline open Mon-Fri, 8am-6.30pm.

• Amarant Trust
  Aims to promote a better understanding of the menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT); make treatment available to all women who need it.

• AMAZE
  Provides information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with special needs in Brighton & Hove. The site includes extensive information about education, benefits, health, social services, leisure and the transition to adulthood.

• Anaphylaxis Campaign
  Provide information to people who suffer from severe allergic reactions. Volunteer regional co-ordinators operate from home and support local members. Membership, publications, newsletter, video, and health visitors pack available.

• Ann Craft Trust
  Aims to facilitate the protection of all adults and children with learning disabilities who are vulnerable to abuse. Provide information and advice service including training and conferences. Produce a range of publications.

• Anti-Slavery International
  Aims to eliminate all forms of slavery in today's world through research, raising awareness and campaigning with commitment and determination.

• Aplastic Anaemia Trust
  Help patients and their families who are coping with Aplastic Anaemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

• Aquatetra The Welsh and English National Disabled Diving Centre
  Run trial dives and scuba diving courses for both non-disabled and disabled people in Wales and England. Headquarters for the 'UK and Ireland Handicapped Scuba Association.'

• Arachnoiditis Trust
  Support group for those living with arachnoiditis - a condition of inflammation and scarring around the nerve roots that can follow spinal surgery, myelography, spinal injections and conditions like meningitis. Produce a newsletter four times per year for all members. Offers a helpline five days per week and answers any questions by letter, fax or e-mail.

• Arise - The Scoliosis Research Trust
  Aims to provide and promote by all available means the research and study of the cause and treatment of Scoliosis and other spinal deformities and to endow research fellowship in the study of those disorders. To improve the standard of knowledge of the means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. To promote the publication, production and distribution of books, pamphlets, periodicals and video's on spinal deformities. Activities include advice and information to parents and patients with Scoliosis. Raising funds for research into the condition. Publications: factsheets and information booklet for patients and parents.

• Aromatherapy Organisations Council
  UK governing body for aromatherapy which represents the majority of practising, professional aromatherapists in the UK today through its 12 professional organisations and 105 training establishments. This consists of some 6,000 professional aromatherapists all of whom have trained to the AOC standards, are required to hold appropriate insurance cover and adhere to a common Code of Conduct and Ethics.

• Arthritic Association
  Aims to help members regain freedom of movement, and freedom from pain by following the dietary guidance and taking the homeopathic and herbal preparations pioneered by Charles de Coti-Marsh. Open Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm.

• Arthritis Care
  Aims to empower people to take control of their arthritis and their lives. Works proactively with and for people with arthritis, providing development courses, residential activity breaks, self-help groups and funding improvements in self-management. Information counsellors available Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; freephone 12-4pm. Run 'The Source', an information and advice service for young people with arthritis. Publish a quarterly magazine 'Arthritis News' on issues related to arthritis, which carries advertisements for second hand equipment.

• Arthritis Research Campaign
  Medical research charity that raises money to find the cause of rheumatic disease. Aims to promote a better understanding of rheumatic diseases by publishing a range of free information leaflets which have been written by medical specialists to answer questions which are commonly raised by people with arthritis.

• Arthrogryposis Group
  Group formed to help children and their parents and also adults to ensure a better understanding of this condition in which multiple joint derformities are present at birth.

• Arts Council of England
  Produce a number of publications on arts and disability and a directory of art and disability organisations, available in large print, Braille and cassette. Disability Link Officers can give telephone advice about different art forms.

• Artsline Ltd
  London's information and advice service on access to the arts and entertainment for all disabled people, publishing a wide range of access guides for disabled people, and maintaining a database with access details for thousands of arts and entertainment venues across London. Also supplies disability equality training, specifically geared towards arts and entertainments venues.

• Asbestos Information Centre Ltd
  Provides information on old asbestos containing products. Does not provide any medical information on Asbestosis. Publishes information leaflets.

• Asian People with Disabilities Alliance
  Aims to provide help to Asians with disabilities of all ages, nationalities and religion without differentiation. To provide services which take into account Asian traditions, practices and family relationships as well as languages, diet and religions. The organisation is managed by Asian people with personal experience of disability.

• Asperger United
  The site includes information about autism and Asperger syndrome. Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, a condition that affects the way a person communicates and relates to others.

• ASSERT
  Aims to raise awareness of Angelmans Syndrome. Maintains a 24-hour telephone support network; a national register of families as a point of contact for families newly diagnosed; and provides information to families and health care professionals. Assert produces publications including a quarterly newsletter and various factsheets. It also holds eight regional meetings per year.

• Assist UK
  Assist UK is the national voice for Disabled Living Centres around the UK. Through its network of local centres, it aims to ensure that disabled and older people gain improved access, either directly or indirectly, to accurate, reliable and impartial information and advice about the products designed to help with daily living.

• Association for Children with Hand or Arm Deficiency
  Promote the relief of children with upper limb deficiencies by encouraging mutual aid and support between families. Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm.

• Association for Children with Heart Disorders
  The Association was registered as a charity in 1975 and, in the years since, have helped hospitals with the funding of vital pieces of equipment and have given support and understanding to many families, both local and further afield. Aims to give support and understanding to parents and families and to improve facilities for children at heart units.

• Association for Children with Life Threatening or Terminal Conditions
  Activities include organising conferences and workshops, promoting models of good care, providing information for families and professionals, and campaigning for the development of children's palliative care services.

• Association for Continence Advice
  Multidisciplinary organisation for health and social care professionals, with a special interest in incontinence. As such, it does not have a direct interface with the general public.

• Association for Glycogen Storage Diseases ( UK)
  Family contact and support group for those affected with some form of Glycogen Storage Disease. Aims to encourage the provision of specialist centres for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of Glycogen Storage Disease, as well as creating public awareness for educational, scientific and charitable activities.

• Association for Post Natal Illness
  Advise and support women with post-natal depression, their partners, families, friends and medical profession. Produce a range of informative publications.

• Association for Real Change
  Aims to ensure the quality of life, maintenance of standards, and diversity of provision for people with a learning disability.

• Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills
  Promote improved services for children and adults with difficulties caused by neurological disease or head injury. Focus particularly on the needs of those with communication and eating difficulties. The team consists of therapists, engineers, doctors and lawyers, who offer a range of specialist services including independent assessment and consultation. Therapy is based on Bobath and other concepts. Training is provided for carers and professionals. Carry out collaborative and consultative work with education, social and medical services, product design, development and research.

• Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
  Provide advice, information and support to people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, and their carers. A team of workers cover most of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are backed up by specialist advisors in education, mobility, continence and medical matters. Produce a range of publications including leaflets, booklets and magazines, newsletters.

• Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Teachers and Students
  Aims to support its members throughout their student and working lives, providing advice and information, newsletters and a magazine concerning education and employment issues. Advises educational establishments, local and central government and campaigns on behalf of visually impaired people. An annual conference and other events are held during the year.

• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
  Provide information on all aspects of breast-feeding to anyone with an interest, whether they are a mother or a healthcare professional. ABM counsellors are mothers who have enjoyed breastfeeding their babies; and have completed a training course enabling them to help other mothers to overcome problems experienced during breastfeeding. Provide a letter counselling and information service, a quarterly magazine, information leaflets and posters, electric breast pump hire, annual meetings.

• Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes Ltd
  Relieve stress experienced by carers and enable disabled people to stay in the community.

• Association of Cystic Fibrosis Adults (UK)
  Organisation run by adults with CF, for adults with CF. Runs a forum to inform people of any improvements in treatment and the understanding of CF. Publish a quarterly magazine.

• Association of Disabled Professionals
  Provide advice, information and peer support about employment to disabled people, their advisors and friends.

• Association of Medical Research Charities
  Works to advance medical research in the UK. Aims to improve the effectiveness of the charitable sector in medical research.

• Association of Radical Midwives
  Aims to share ideas, skills and information with colleagues and clients. Help midwives develop their role as advocates for women's active participation in maternity care. Support midwives in their efforts to provide continuity of care. Encourage the evaluation of developments within the sphere of midwifery practice.

• Association of Reflexologists
  An independent non profit making organisation with a membership of over 4,000 professionally trained reflexologists. Publish a register of practitoners and accredited courses nationwide.

• Association of Social Care Communicators
  Aims to raise the profile of social care public information and to improve the quality and range of information available to services users and staff. Encourages the exchange of ideas between information workers in social services departments and social work departments throughout the country.

• Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults
  Aims to promote understanding of the needs of people with an acquired hearing loss, whether partial or total. To advance the awareness of the benefits of lip-reading and other communication skills in the rehabilitation of people with an acquired hearing loss. Access of information about the range of support services and environment aids available.

• Association of Wheelchair Children
  Carries out assessments, wheelchair training, assists with funding and can act as an advocate to fight for government funding.

• Association of Young People with ME
  Provide support and encouragement to children and young people with ME aged five to 25. Activities include pen pal service, bi-monthly magazine, annual conference, support from counsellors, doctors and those with ME, a postal library and parents network. Range of publications available.

• Asthma Allergy and Inflammation Research Trust
  Funds research into the causes and treatment of asthma allergy and related disorders.

• Ataxia UK
  Charity which supports people affected by Friedreich's, cerebella and other ataxias. Helps people with ataxia, their carers, families and friends, to live with the condition. Provide information through leaflets, magazines, reports and the website; an information and support helpline; branches, self-help groups and meetings; personal contacts and welfare grants.

• AT Dementia
  Website that aims to provide user-friendly information about assistive technology for people with dementia. The site includes a product database of assistive technology devices, and information on many of the issues that relate to obtaining and using assistive technology with people with dementia.

• Atlas Caravan Co Ltd
  Provide Wheelchair accessible and adapted static caravans to be placed within a specified caravan park. Suitable for one or two wheelchair users. Features: wide access sliding doors; low level coat hooks; thermostatically controlled shower mixer; shower seats; hand rails; raised level WC; easy access washbasins; lever taps; low level mirrors; higher beds; easy access dressing table; low and high level wardrobe hanging rails; ceiling hooks; wide single beds.

• Autism London
  Provide information, advice and support for individuals on the autistic spectrum, their relatives and carers. Offer a telephone helpline and provide a personal advocacy service and a range of support groups for parents/carers and for adults with Aspergers. Produce a range of fact sheets, a regular newsletter and organise discounted family events for supporters.

• Autistic Society
  Website focusing on Autistic Spectrum Disorders and coexisting conditions. Offer support and information for parents and families of children and adults with ASD. Provides news, photo and art gallery, information and interactivity.

• Automatic Door Suppliers Association
  Establish and promote standards of safety, quality, reliability and after-sales service for specifiers and users of automatic doors.

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