Access Help and Advice

There are a number of  groups and organisations that can give you information, help and advice on disability issues.

Care & Repair

Care & Repair help older or disabled residents stay in their homes.
Tel: 01244-404800

The Council

Access Officer, disabilityaccess@chester.gov.uk  on 01244 402455

Deafness Support Network

144 London Road ; Northwich, Cheshire CW9 5HH
Tel: 01606 47831

Disabled Data Link Group

The Disabled Data Link Group Website (external link) covers the following

• Disability Rights
• Mobility
• Transport
• Employment
• Education
• Moving Home
• Contacts
• Services
• Web Site Creation & Maintenance

The  Directgov website (external link) represent steps taken to help people find out about their civil rights and to see more clearly how useful the Internet can be as a source for information.

Disability Rights Commission

The Disability Rights Commission (External Link) is an independent body established in April 2000 by Act of Parliament to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

• Gives advice and information to disabled people, employers and service providers
• supports disabled people in getting their rights under the Disability Discrimination Act  (external link)
• helps solve problems - often without going to a court or employment tribunal
• supports legal cases to test the limits of the law
• provides an independent Disability Conciliation Service for disabled people and service providers through Mediation UK
• campaigns to strengthen the law
• organises campaigns to change policy, practice and awareness
• produces policy statements and research on disability issues; and publications on rights and good practice for disabled people, employers and service providers.

 

D.I.A.L. House

Dial House provides a free confidential legal advice and information service run by and for disabled people.  A holistic approach is taken to provide information and advice on all aspects of disability rights (under the Disability Discrimination Act) and all other issues including community care, education, housing, health, aids and equipment, mobility and transport, sports and leisure, disability discrimination, welfare benefits - to enable disabled people to make an informed choice.  Case work is undertaken on disability rights and welfare benefits from claims through advocacy at tribunals to making representations to Commissioners.  They support disabled people, carers and their families, older people, individuals working in the field of disability - anyone requiring information on disability related matters.. Additionally they run a Community Café "providing healthy home cooked food at reasonable prices."

DIAL House Chester,
DIAL House,
Hamilton Place,
Chester,
CH1 2BH.

Tel: 01244 345655

Text Phone: 01244 315 122

Enquiries: enquiries@dialhousechester.org.uk

National Federation of the Blind (Chester Branch)

The NFB is an independent organisation led by visually impaired people, which campaigns to improve the overall quality of life of people experiencing sight loss through local and national activities.

The Chester & District branch was formed in 1993 to provide an effective self-help group to promote the needs and aspirations of visually impaired people in the Cheshire, South Wirral and North Wales area.

The branch gives blind and partially sighted people the opportunity  to get together and campaign for improved conditions and facilities.

They have an active social scene including visits, dinners and theatre trips.  the branch meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7.00 p.m – for details on the next meeting, please contact Alex Thynne. All are welcome, not only the visually impaired, but anyone who cares about improving the life of people with impaired vision.

Contact:  Alex Thynne (Chairman) on: 01244 677429.

E-mail: alex.thynne@talktalk.net

Vision Support

Units 1 & 2, The Ropeworks, Whipcord lane, Chester, CH1 4DZ.

Providing a wide range of services for people with a visual impairment. Vision Support's (external link) mission statement is to enhance the quality of life, promote the continuing independence and raise awareness of visually impaired people of all ages in our community.

Telephone: 01244 381515. Fax 01244 382337
or email mailto:info@visionsupport.org.uk.