Key Organisations
This page contains information and links to key organisations that are
involved in our work or which are particularly relevant to improving
equality for disabled people.
If you would like your organisation to be listed on this page, please get in
touch using any of the methods on the Contact Us
page.
The Fed Centre for Independent Living promotes independence and dignity for all disabled people. It works to identify gaps when services are being planned and developed and to ensure the needs of disabled people are included.
The Fed offers advice and support to individuals, to its many member organisations and to other groups involved in disability issues.
The Federation is run by disabled people and works closely with local organisations and service providers to advocate better transport, ensure that disabled people are invited to join committees and forums and look at ways for disabled people to be recognised as part of the community rather than being on the fringe.
BCODP is a national, umbrella organisation which represents a large number
of organisations run and controlled by disabled people, aimed at promoting
disabled people’s full equality and participation within society.
Deafblind UK provides a range of services to assist deafblind people, their
support assistants and other professionals. These include training in
communication and rehabilitation skills, a free 24 our helpline, a regional
network of staff and volunteers, a varied leisure programme and a range of
publications in different formats.
Disability Rights Commission (DRC)
The DRC is an independent body established in April 2000 by Act of
Parliament to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for
disabled people. It provides a number of services, including
information and advice on the DDA for disabled people, employers and service
providers through its helpline, and support to disabled people in getting
their rights under the DDA.
The East Sussex Association of Blind and Partially Sighted People (ESAB)aims to enhance the quality of life for visually impaired people and help them to maintain their wellbeing and independence. They work in very
practical ways, offering information, skills and mobility training courses, equipment demonstrations and social support networks. They also work to promote understanding of sight loss in local communities through Vision Awareness training.
ESAB works across East Sussex with the exception of the towns of Eastbourne
and Hastings, who have their own similar organisations, with whom they work
closely under the umbrella of East Sussex Vision Care. They also work in
Hove and Portslade and offer a home visiting service in Brighton, Hove and
Portslade only.
ESAB offers information, training and support services to clients, campaigns
on issues relevant to clients and delivers awareness raising sessions for
businesses and community groups.
ESDA is a registered charity with 70 years experience in supporting
disabled people. It is an organisation led by disabled people, where
non-disabled and disabled people work together to promote the equality and
full participation of disabled people in society.
Through its activities and services, ESDA provides expert advice,
information and practical support to disabled people in overcoming any
barriers they encounter. Through ESDA's campaigns, forums, training,
research and representation, the voice of disabled people influences the
movement towards equal rights in society.
East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre (ESHRC) provides a range of services
to Deaf, deafened and deafblind people. These include communication
support, technology for deaf people, lipreading, Sign Language, hard of
hearing groups, hearing aid maintenance and batteries, home Visits,
outreach, provision & installation of assistive devices, and hearing
screening tests.
Above all, the Hearing Resource Centre is a sanctuary for deaf people, where
time is taken to communicate as easily as possible. Access to the
Centre is easy - all on one level - and everyone is welcomed as soon as they
step inside.
The Employers' Forum on Disability is an employers' organisation focused on
the issue of disability in the workplace. It is funded and managed by
employers. With almost 400 members, the Forum represents organisations that
employ around 25% of the UK workforce.
HRDF is an organisation run by and for disabled people which aims to
increase the chance for disabled people to have full inclusion and equality
of opportunity in society.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offers information,
support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss, as well as
to their families, friends, colleagues and other organisations and companies
providing services to meet their needs.
RNIB is an organisation of blind and partially sighted people,
passionately committed to ending the isolation of sight loss. They campaign
and carry out research on the issues that matter to blind and partially
sighted people.
RNID works to improve the lives of deaf and hard of hearing people, by
providing a range of services, campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness
of deafness and hearing loss and through social, medical and technical
research.
UKSEABLE is a mutual support network for disabled entrepreneurs and
aspiring entrepreneurs. It has been set up by Brendan Magill, a
visually impaired Business, Employment and Disability Consultant, who
received funding to start the project. UKSEABLE currently operates
primarily as an e-mail discussion group, with individual email and telephone
contact between members. The e-mail group, called UKSEDP, is a useful
forum for discussions on many subjects relating to running a small business
as a disabled person.
Over time, a specialist group of professional experts will be established.
These will be disabled entrepreneurs who offer various business and
disability related services to other disabled entrepreneurs. The
thinking behind this is that the best support for disabled entrepreneurs can
only be provided by other people who are themselves disabled entrepreneurs
and who are being paid for their goods or services.
During the initial year of UKSEABLE, ways will be sought to turn the project
into a viable and sustainable business in its own right. The objective is
not to run a one year project but to initiate an ongoing service to disabled
entrepreneurs for the future.
Whilst Brendan is initially responsible for delivery of the UKSEABLE
project. other individuals with specialist small business and disability
related skills are actively being sought to join with him in running
UKSEABLE.
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