Enabling Services for Disabled
Here are a number of Web sites which will provide help and advice for disabled people in Scotland to allow them to live independent lives.
Disability Scotland
Scotland's largest disability organisation, providing a broad range of services to adults and children with disabilities. Advice and information on services available for adults and children.Youreable
This is a one-stop Internet site for disabled people, their carers, family and friends. They aim to provide information, products and services that will enable disabled people to live independent lives. Where products and services aren't available, they work with charities, retailers and manufacturers to create and tailor their offering and they are committed to building a community where all users can freely exchange information and ideas.Self Help UK
This site provides a searchable database of over 1,000 self help organisations and support groups across the UK that provide support, guidance and advice to patients, carers and their relatives. There is also access to discussion forums hosted by the HealthIndex UK web site.Smooth Ride Guides
Holiday guides for people travelling in a wheelchair. The company provides comprehensive details on accessible accommodation and attractions throughout the UK.Independent Living
This site is aimed at disabled and elderly people, carers and healthcare professionals, providing details on a wide range of different products to help with various conditions. You can also find out about benefits, training courses, legislation, health news stories, new product launches and exhibitions plus nutrition, alternative health and many other topics.Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation
This is a national organisation of and for disabled people. Its key areas of activity are supporting over 500 local and national disability organisations, campaigning for improvements in disabled people’s lives and providing information to support independence and equality for disabled people. Their Web site opens up communication within their network of 500 local and national member organisations. There is regularly updated news, information on important disability issues and links to other useful sites.Motability
A national UK charity, which helps disabled people and their families to become more mobile. It was set up to provide vehicles and powered wheelchairs to disabled people. The site has links to sites which have a motoring or disability theme as well as sites which offer assistance in every day motoring needs.Shopmobility Locations
Shopmobility hire electric buggies in towns and shopping precincts for the use of people who have difficulty in walking. The organisation does not currently have a Web site or e-mail address and the only way of arranging for the hire of a buggy is by phoning them or calling at their centres. But here is a list of the present locations where you can hire an electric buggy from Shopmobility.Disabled Trust For Scotland
Established in 1997 to provide for people who found difficulty in obtaining equipment from the NHS or could not afford to buy their own. They now concentrate most of their resources on wheelchairs.UPDATE
UPDATE is Scotland's National Disability Information Service. Their aim is to improve the quality of life for disabled people in Scotland by enabling information providers to offer accurate, up-to-date and relevant disability-related information. Their Web site contains links and information on a number of organisations which assist the disabled.Good Access Guide
A directory of services for disabled people, seniors, and anyone whose life is made easier by better access to goods, services and amenities. Includes accessible accommodation, visitor attractions, places to eat, access and mobility aids, holidays abroad.Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
SCVO is the umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland, with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness. It has a good selection of links to organisations which provide help and assistance for everyone, disabled or not.Scottish Disability Equality Forum
The Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) exists to promote greater social equality by working to remove the disabling barriers to equal access for people affected by disabilities in Scotland. The organisation is user-led and is guided by the concerns of its members who are encouraged to participate fully, to exchange views, to provide input to consultation exercises and to attend meetings. SDEF is the umbrella body for Access Panels to support local groups in their work for social equality.Disabled Driver's Association
A self help organization run for disabled people by disabled people, and concerns itself with the needs of disabled people primarily by encouraging greater independence through enhanced mobility.Wheelchair Travel
This company provides a service aimed at the disabled solo traveller, or small group, who want to plan their itinerary and "do their own thing".Access Travel
Help in organising holidays abroad for disabled people.Renting Adapted Cars
Information on specific countries includes advice on UK car hire for disabled drivers.Centre for Independent Living in Glasgow
Information about independent living in the Glasgow area with current information and news.Ceoliac Eating Out in Scotland
Some useful pointers to restaurants and sources of foof for those looking for gluten-free sources.British Sign Language Interpreter
Maureen Glover is a British Sign Language Interpreter based in Glasgow who is experienced in such areas as interpreting for education purposes, interviews, team meetings, conferences, hospital and doctors appointments, deaf awareness training, criminal cases etc. She is experienced in all the widely used methods of Sign Language including BSL (British Sign Language), SSE (Sign Supported English), Deaf Manual (Finger spelling), Hands On Signing (For visually impaired deaf people), Deafblind Manual (For communication with deafblind people).Cobweb Foundation
Based in Dunfermline, Fife, this is a recognised charity that provides holidays to disabled, sick and disadvantaged children. The main objective is to raise funds to build a new Dream Catcher Village in Fife with 25 cottages, a remedial and respite care centre, education and training facilities and of course a wide range of recreation and sports facilities.Partners in Play
Partners in Play are a voluntary organisation based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. Their main aim is to provide inclusive play opportunities for disabled children and young people in their local communities in North Lanarkshire.East Kilbride Council on Disability
EKCOD is actively involved in many projects in and around the East Kilbride area - Shopmobility and ArtAbility being just two of them. Their aim is to represnt the disabled in the community ensuring access to all public buildings and are often in consultation with local authorities to ensure disabled rights are being upheld.Arachnoiditis
This site has been set up to increase the public awareness of Arachnoiditis (back pain), using all the resources available and to act as an information highway for anybody with a back complaint. The site offers an advisory service for possible sufferers and Health and Safety advice for non-sufferers, with the aim of avoiding the condition.
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
