Useful contacts
Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) exists to champion the rights of disabled people. Its goal is a society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens. An independent body established by Act of Parliament, the Disability Rights Commission works with disabled people, employers and service providers to encourage good practice.
One key part of the Disability Rights Commission's work has been to produce guides and case studies for employers and service providers to help them make their businesses and services more accessible to disabled people.
Go to Disability Rights Commission website
Go to Contact us section of the Disability Rights Commission website
Phone 08457 622 633
Textphone 08457 622 644
Fax 08457 622 611
Disability Rights Commission
DRC Helpline
FREEPOST MID O2164
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 9BR
Access officers
Many local authorities have an access officer. These people can often give basic advice on access issues. Contact your local council for more information.
Local access groups
Local access groups are made up of disabled people who want to improve the access in their communities. They can often help with tricky problems or provide information on how other businesses have solved access problems.
Advice on accessibility
You can get a list of recognised access auditors and consultants from the National Register of Access Consultants website. Or get a copy of "Access audits: a guide and checklists for appraising the accessibility of public buildings" from the Centre for Accessible Environments.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The Department for Work and Pensions provides information and support for employers through Disability Employment Advisers based in its network of Jobcentre Plus offices and Jobcentres. Find your local office on the Jobcentre Plus website.
For more information about employing disabled people, visit the Disability Services for Employers section of the Jobcentre Plus website.
Directgov is the government’s website for the public. It includes information about the responsibilities of employers, businesses and service providers towards disabled people.
Organisations that represent disabled people
There is a wide range of organisations that represent disabled people in the United Kingdom. You can find out about them through websites, local directories and publicity. There is also a list of organisations representing disabled people on the Directgov website.
- RADAR (the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) – a portal with links to a range of disability websites
- Scope – disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy
- Mencap – the UK's leading learning disability charity, working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
- RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf)
- RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind). You can also access their See it Right pack on their website.
The Employers' Forum on Disability
Provides guidance on all aspects of disability as it affects business, including recruiting and retaining disabled employees, serving disabled customers and working in partnership with disabled stakeholders.
The Employers' Forum on Disability
Nutmeg House
60 Gainsford Street
London
SE1 2NY
Phone 020 7403 3020
Minicom 020 7403 0040
Fax 020 7403 0404
Email enquiries@employers-forum.co.uk
Web www.employers-forum.co.uk
