Disabilities

Helplines

Find out what the National Health Service and the local authority can provide. The Occupational Therapy Team may be contacted through your GP or Social Services.

The Disability Helpline telephone: 0800 882200
Essex Disabled People's Association telephone: 01245 287177
Disabled Living Foundation Helpline (advice on all disability equipment) telephone: 0845 130 9177 http://www.dlf.org.uk/
Disability Benefit Enquiry Line telephone: 0800 882200
Southend Disability Helpline telephone: 01702 356031. Minicom 01702 356041

The Disabled Living Foundation have a new service www.livingmadeasy.org.uk Offering advice on bathing, telecare, stairs, bedrooms etc.

Blue Badge Office - Issuing of Blue parking badges to people who are unable/barely able to walk or are blind or partially sighted. People automatically qualify if receiving the highest rate of mobility component of DLA. Tel: 01702 534603

Hearing

Social Services Physical and Sensory Disabilities Team may help with advice, equipment and lip-reading classes. Tel 01702 215000, Minicom 391885
A free advice leaflet, Better Hearing, is available from the Information Department, Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ. Tel 020-7278 1114, www.helptheaged.org.uk
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf helpline provides information on all aspects of deafness and hearing loss and can put you in touch with local services. Tel 0870 60 50 123 (calls charged at national rates) Textphone 0870 60 33 007 (calls charged at national rates), e-mail: helpline@rnid.org.uk
Royal Association in aid of Deaf People, St Mellitus Centre, 12 Oakhurst Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5DT, tel 01702 613656, e-mail: rad.southend@dial.pipex.com
The National Association of Deafened People provdes a leaflets, local support and a helpline. NADP, PO Box 50, Amersham, Bucks HP6 6XB
Southend Libraries have a range of services available for deaf people. Contact the Access Services Team, Southend Library, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6EX. Tel 01702 612621, Textphone 01702 600579, library@southend.gov.uk www.southendlibrary.com
Age Concern factsheet 28 Help with telephones is available from freephone 0800 00 99 66 or www.ageconcern.org.uk

Blindness

Southend Blind Welfare Organisation. Tel 01702-348200. Resource Centre 117 Hamlet Court Road 01702-342131. Clubs & Social Activities, Volunteering, Holidays, Tel: 01702 342131. www.southendblindwelfare.org.uk
Visually impaired club. tel 01702 391121

Southend Talking Newspaper. 60 minutes or so of recorded local news sent to your home every week on CDs, Free of charge Phone -01702 292337

A free advice leaflet, Better sight, is available from the Information Department, Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ. Tel 20-7278-1114, www.helptheaged.org.uk
Britain's National Newspaper in large type. Tel 0800 124007
Essex Voluntary Association for the Blind, 202 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0LG can offer residential and respite care. Tel 01245 352560
National Federation of the Blind, Southend branch. Tel 01702 477899
The Royal National Institute for the Blind has a helpline. They give advice about easy-to-see products you can buy and can put you in touch with services and organisations in the area. Tel 08457-66-99-99, www.rnib.org.uk

Britain's newspapers produced in large type Tel freephone 0800 124007

Physical

The Disability Hotline for advice on disability matters. Tel 01268 294400.

Aids and equipment are available from the following.

Able Aid, 864--866 London Road, Leigh on Sea. Tel 01702 470581.
Boots Co PLC, The Royals, High Street, Southend On Sea. SS1 1DE. Tel 01702 464458.
Body's Care Centre, 631 London Road, Westcliff On Sea. SS0 9PE Tel 01702 346204 or 337339.
Get Abled Ltd, 311 Eastwood Road North, Leigh On Sea, Essex
01702 511530.
Essex Mobility Centre 134 Hobleythick Lane, Westcliff on Sea, Essex. Tel 01702 300790

For fitting disability aids, one contractor is Brian Campbell. 01702 710093.

Wheelchairs

Age Concern Southend have wheelchairs for hire:

£10 refundable depost. £5 per day or £18 per week.

Tel. 01702 215780

DEMENTIA

Carewatch www.carewatchessex.co.uk a three star excellent service, providing social care and support to adults and older people, in their own homes throughout South East Essex. People that use our services and their families are at the centre of the care planning process ensuring that their needs and aspirations are met, in a manner that is in accordance with their wishes. Carewatch also have a specialised team of care workers, dedicated to a Dementia Suppport Programme, providing a flexible and responsive service, which may be in addition to an existing care plan, or as a stand alone service. TEL: 01702 557007

DOGS HELPING YOU TO LIVE WITH YOUR DISABILITY

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