Many people take getting about for granted but if you’re living with illness or disability it can be a real challenge. Even if you don’t face issues with mobility, some daily activities can present their own challenges.
In both cases, small changes can make a big difference. Here you’ll find information on who to contact to get help with mobility and improving your home environment to make things easier.
Your GP and Occupational Therapy
To obtain aids or equipment contact your G.P. for referral to the Community Occupational Therapist, or contact the Occupational Therapy Team for the area you live in using the details below:
Droitwich
Telephone: 01905 681035
Evesham
Telephone: 01386 502325
Malvern
Telephone: 01684 612636
Pershore
Telephone: 01386 502019
Worcester
Telephone: 01905 681655
Aidis Trust
The Aidis Trust was founded in 1975 to help disabled people communicate more easily and effectively through technology. Assistive technology involves hardware adaptations and/or software solutions, for example, larger keyboards, head pointers, switches and specialist software ranging from ’cause and effect’ software to more advanced software designed to gain full control of a computer through voice or manual switch input.
Telephone: 0808 8000009
Website: www.aidis.org
Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge scheme is for people with severe mobility problems. It allows Blue Badge holders to park close to where they need to go.
The scheme operates throughout the UK and is managed by local authorities, who deal with applications and issue Blue Badges. For details of who to contact to apply in your local area, visit the website below.
Website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20397/blue_badge
Care and Repair Worcestershire
If you need advice, support or practical around the home, Care and Repair Worcestershire may be able to help. They are a home improvement agency that provides help to elderly people, people with disabilities and those on a low income who need to repair, improve or adapt their homes.
They are part of the Fortis Living Housing Group and their work is supported by Worcestershire County Council and the six district councils within Worcestershire. Their service is open to all irrespective of whether you own or rent your home
Telephone: 01684 579456
Website: http://www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk/organisation/care-repair-worcestershire/
Concessionary Travel
The English National Bus Concession Scheme offers eligible elderly and disabled people free travel on off-peak local bus services anywhere in England.
Off-peak hours are between 9.30am until 11pm Monday to Friday and all day weekends and bank holidays. To apply, follow the link below.
Website:
Deaf Direct
For assistance with hearing impairment contact Deaf Direct
Telephone: 01905 746301
Website: www.deafdirect.org.uk
TFH (Special Needs Toys)
Range of equipment and toys for children and young people with a disability. Catalogue available.
Telephone: 01299 827820
Website: www.specialneedstoys.com
Disabled Facilities Grant
A Disabled Facilities Grant is a grant from your local council to help towards the cost of adapting your home to enable you to continue to live there. It can be used for widening doors, installing ramps and improving access in general. See Care and Repair Service above.
For more information, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/Disabled Facilities Grant
To receive the grant an assessment is required from an Occupational Therapist. This can be obtained by contacting your local Occupational Therapy Team.
Disabled Living Foundation
DLF is one of the UK’s leading health charities. They provide expert and impartial advice to people of all ages, helping them find equipment to assist in the everyday tasks essential to independent living.
Telephone: 0300 9990004
Website: www.dlf.org.uk
Mobility Vehicle Hire
Mobility Vehicle Hire Companies supply specifically adapted vehicles to cater for the needs of disabled drivers and passengers. Vehicles can be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and they provide a door-to-door delivery and collection service across the UK.
Specialist Vehicle Rental
Website: www.specialistvehiclerental.co.uk
Angel Vehicle Hire
Website: www.angelvehiclehire.co.uk/wheelchair-accessible-vehicles.asp
Allied Mobility
Website:http://www.alliedmobility.com/wheelchair-accessible-vehicle-hire
Wheelchair Vehicles
Website: www.theaccessibleplanet.com
Motability
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter to improve their mobility. This is in exchange for either their Higher Rate Mobility Component of PIP or their War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.
For further information and to make an application under the scheme contact them using the details below.
Telephone: 0300 456 4566
Website: www.motability.co.uk
Red Cross
The Red Cross can assist with the short-term loan of wheelchairs, commodes, walking frames and similar, subject to availability. Look for local area on website.
Bradbury Court,
Unit 8,
Berkeley Business Park,
Wainwright Road,
Worcester,
WR4 9GY
Telephone: 01905 450403
Website: www.redcross.org.uk
Shopmobility UK
Shopmobility UK support affiliated local schemes who provide mobility scooters to people with disabilities that enable them to access local shops and amenities. There are several schemes within Worcestershire – find them below:
National Telephone: 08456 442 446
Website: www.shopmobilityuk.org
Bromsgrove
Telephone: 01527 837736
Website: www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/contacts/shopmobility.aspx
Evesham
Telephone: 01386 49230
Website: www.eveshamshopmobility.co.uk
Redditch
Telephone: 01527 69922
Website: www.redditchbc.gov.uk/living/getting-around/shopmobility.aspx
Worcester
Telephone: 01905 610523
Abilitynet
Free IT support organisation for disabled people
Telephone: 0800 0487642
Website: www.abilitynet.org.uk
Stairlift Reviews
A website that helps make the process of getting a stairlift easier. It has helpful information on Disabled Facilities Grants and other financial aid for home adaptations
Telephone: 0800 0248065
Website: http://www.stairliftsreviews.co.uk/grant
Adapt It
Charity helping people with disabilities take advantage of computer technology
Telephone: 02087360542
Website: http://www.adapt-it.co.uk
Remap
Remap offers custom made aids for people with disabilities. They operate through a network of volunteers. The professional engineers, technicians and craftspeople along with medical and paramedical staff from community services and hospitals support each other
Telephone: 01732 760209
Telephone: Worcestershire area 01684 612637
Website: www.remap.org.uk
Arcos (Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills)
A registered national charity providing expert help for children and adults, their families and those working with them. Training courses also available.
Telephone: 01684 576795
Website: www.arcos.org.uk
Disabled Equipment Register
Disabled exchange and mart-second hand equipment
Telephone: 07845041678
Website: www.disabilityequipmentservice.co.uk
Regional Disabled Drivers Assessment Centre (Birmingham)
For assessment of individual needs and advice on car adaptations
Telephone: 0845 3371540
Website: www.rdac.co.uk
Sight Concern Worcestershire
Sight Concern has a large display of aids and equipment which can greatly improve the quality of life of someone who has sight problems.
The Bradbury Centre,
2 Sansome Walk,
Worcester,
WR1 1LH
Telephone: 01905 723245
Website: www.sightconcern.co.uk
Adapt It
Provides assisted technology and computer aids, consultancy and advice for people with a disability.
Telephone: 02087360542
Website: www.adapt-it-co.uk
Rica
Publishes reports on the most suitable domestic products, practical information needed by disabled and older consumers.
Telephone: 020 74272460
Website: www.rica.org.uk
Wheelchair, Posture and Mobility Service
A wheelchair can be obtained from the Wheelchair and Community Equipment Service through your G.P.
Crown Lane,
Wychbold,
Droitwich Spa,
WR9 0BX
Telephone: 01527 869295
Website: www.hacw.nhs.uk