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Useful Links
An umbrella organisation bringing together those who provide for people with a learning disability. ARC has established a network of around 20 branches throughout the UK which help bring together members for mutual support and discussion as well as providing an important point of contact with key players in the area of learning disabilities.
A non-profit organisation with charity status, which exists to improve the quality of life of all people with a learning disability. Providing information, publications, training and consultancy services for organisations, professionals, care staff, service users and their families. BILD publish a series of books for people with learning disabilities to use on their own or with a carer. They also have an advocacy department, making sure people with a learning disability have their voices heard. Plenty of links to other useful websites.
Community Living was formed in 1987 and takes a radical editorial stance in supporting progressive policies and highlighting excellent examples of good practice. They have teamed up with LDUK to bring you the opportunity to debate learning disability issues online. The LDUK site contains news and information and advertises various conferences, training and other learning disability related services and has links to a large number of related websites in the UK. Community Living also offers a service to make communicating with service users more accessible. From small working groups to supplement documents on audio CD or video.
Contact a Family is a national registered charity, founded in 1979, for families with disabled children and is the only UK charity providing support and advice to parents whatever the medical condition of their child. Offering knowledge about rare disorders, a wealth of personal experience and plenty of useful contacts. The information available includes e-newsletters, clear helpline information, information on publications, jobs, recycling – which encourages you to donate your old unwanted mobiles which results in a direct donation to Contact A Family. There is also a helpful "in your area" section which will tell you what is happening with Contact A Family near you. Lots of information to peruse.
DORE help children and adults affected by learning difficulties achieve their full potential. Whether you've been formally diagnosed or you are living with symptoms associated with dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD, the DORE programme might be beneficial. Over the past three years, their exercise-based programme has helped more than 16,000 children and adults.
This website is for professional people providing essential information on "best practice" medical care for people with Down’s Syndrome in the UK and Ireland. The site includes a medical library which provides access to the full range of information developed by DSMIG as well as selected information from other sources. DSMIG information resources include various books, guidelines, keypoints and information. Book reviews by DSMIG members. Details of DSMIG’s roadshows and a notice board listing future events. Plenty of links to other websites.
The Elfrida Society was formed in 1919 and is an organisation supporting people with moderate learning difficulties in creative and independent living. Elfrida pioneer new approaches and develop and manage a range of innovative projects. Their projects include Siren Arts which is a creative group work project working with people with learning difficulties, offering a choice of groups and projects for people to become involved with to explore who they are, develop skills and discover ideas. Elfrida help with basic education, access to health, homelink supported living, community development and supported housing and residential. Leaflets are available on medical procedures, drugs, healthy living, women’s health and several other topics as well.
This is a very comprehensive website for people with a professional interest in epilepsy. You can browse in their library an extensive range of articles of various aspects of epilepsy. There is an on-line shop to buy various publications. The website gives you:
- The latest news and research happening at the moment.
- Information of the various drugs that can be used.
- An option to submit a question which will be answered by one of a team of professionals.
- Access to a database of the epilepsy clinics throughout the UK.
- Details of the conferences coming up throughout the world and plenty of useful links.
The Family Fund helps families of disabled and seriously ill children under the age of 16. They give grants and information related to the care of the child. Last year they granted £26 million to more than 46,000 families. You can apply for a grant on-line. The website gives plenty of information on benefits, holidays and transport. It has a section called "Useful Information" which details information from the health service to education and many more. They produce a range of publications for families about the needs of severely disabled children. Plenty of links to other related websites.
The Foundation of Nursing Studies is an independent charity that works in partnership with nurses, midwives and health visitors to develop, promote and improve patient care. FoNS was set up in 1991 after wide consultation among the nursing profession at all levels. A gap was identified between research and practice which was seen as a serious obstacle to achieving excellence in nursing and improving patient care. FoNS give several nursing awards. They also have a comprehensive list of conferences coming up and plenty of useful links to other websites.
This is the biggest, most comprehensive website on learning disabilities in the UK. The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities aims to improve the quality of life for people. They do this by conducting research and sharing the findings with other people. By identifying work that is needed to overcome barriers to social inclusion, communicating knowledge and turning their research into practical solutions.
The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities is the first and only world-wide group dedicated to the scientific study of intellectual disability. It promotes worldwide research and exchange of information on intellectual disabilities. It has sponsored 11 World Congresses. Information is available on newsletters, committees, membership, publications, special interest research groups and has lots of links to other organisations. IASSID is involved in many diverse activities including being involved with the United Nations and The World Health Organisation. A useful site for scientists, scholars, researchers, practitioners and advocates but maybe not as useful for people with disabilities and their families.
This is a very comprehensive website about Down’s Syndrome. Useful for healthcare professionals, families, carers and anyone wishing to learn anything about intellectual disability. The site provides answers to frequently asked questions. It gives examples of families and their personal experiences. For the healthcare professionals there is a section on changing values and services and gives top ten tips for effective consultation amongst many other useful items. There are sections covering diagnosis, mental and physical health, complex disability and a "how to" section which might be a good starting point for visitors to this website.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the largest social policy research and development charities in the UK. Spending about £7 million a year on a research and development programme that seeks to better understand the causes of social difficulties and explore better ways of overcoming them. JRF website has a detailed section on The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust with details of the Earswick village. It has a comprehensive website of press releases, a bookshop, press room, forums, plenty of useful links.
The primary aim of this website is to provide education and information for people with learning disabilities and the people who are involved with them such as carers, social and health care workers and professional carers. Plenty of useful educational links. This site also lets people advertise their services, residential home, nursing home or other services and offers advice on setting up a care home. They have a useful news section which invites people to contact them with their comments and views. They have a list of qualified trainers and are setting up a list of independent social workers.
Learning Disability Practice - Nursing Standards
This is a journal for those who work with or support people with learning disabilities. The website boasts an archive with the best research on learning disabilities. They produce a monthly journal called the learning disabilities practice which is full of news, stories, book reviews, conference information and plenty more besides. An abundance of links to other nursing websites including RCN. The nursing standards online includes general information for the nursing industry in addition to the learning disabilities section. Detailed information on RCN specialist journals.
This website is for people who use the services, families, representatives, staff and agencies who support people with learning disabilities. MLDP has a media section which enables the use of CDs/DVD and video with a client base including the Department of Health and the NHS. MLDP has a fighting fit strategy to encourage and support individuals to lead physical and active lifestyles. A very useful website if you live in the Manchester area and a good source of information. Plenty of useful links.
Mencap is the UK’s leading learning disability charity. It was formed in 1946 and works with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. They fight for equal rights, greater opportunities and challenge attitudes and prejudice and provide advice and support to meet people's needs throughout their lives.
The Mental Health Foundation is a worldwide, interactive, personalised forum for the sharing of information by people interested in mental health problems and/or learning disabilities. They currently have a membership of 10,000 people and have more than 8,000 resources including details of news items, events, websites and organisations. The Mental Health Foundation is also the home of the Connects Conference Centre, the leading online venue for mental health and learning disability conferences.
This is an extremely informative website with information about autism and asperger syndrome providing information about the support and services available in the UK. The National Autistic Society now have a membership of over 12,000 people. The website has a variety of information from volunteering, jobs, news, publications and all the latest research being undertaken to up and coming events.
NDT used to be part of the Department of Health and in 1992 became an independent not-for-profit agency. NDT directly involves people with learning disabilities in all their activities such as Board of Management, consultants, core staff, policy advisers and trainers. They produce a newsletter called "Soundtrack" which is published three times a year and will inform you of any workshops and conferences. NDT have expertise in various topics from Strategic Planning to Person Centred Planning.
The Norah Fry Research Centre was established in 1988 as part of the University of Bristol’s Department of Mental Health. Its principal interests are the evaluation and development of services for people with learning difficulties. The research centre produces various publications including one called Plain Facts, which is a magazine presenting research findings to people with learning difficulties, available in large print or on tape.
This is a very comprehensive website for people with learning difficulties. One for Us is a national site and not just about one organisation. Information is available on a variety of topics from health to hobbies, leisure to holidays, money, relationships and employment. It gives plenty of ideas, advice and suggestions as to how to find out about the various topics ie on community notice boards and at the library etc and your local disability resource centre. The site has links to various other websites.
A consultancy and development agency formed by people with real current experience in inclusion, health, social services, community care and organisational development which provides high quality consultancy, training, conferences and support. Paradigm consultants work across the country on issues including health, housing and social care. The website has a comprehensive list of all Learning Disability related events and conferences in the UK. Paradigm also produces a publication called "Reach".
People First is run by and controlled by people with learning difficulties. Their main aims are to help people with learning difficulties speak up for themselves. People First is available to do training, consultancy and development work. Other useful facilities are:
- online meetings and conferences with chat, voice or video
- computer recycling which is where companies and organisations have donated computers and
- internet mailing which links up people to share their experiences.
This is a very comprehensive website for people with learning difficulties. The website is very easy to use with clear instructions.
The Tizard Centre is home to one of the leading UK academic groups in the UK working in learning disability, mental health and services for older people. Running short courses, certificate, diploma and degree programmes at the University and having an extensive programme of consultancy, research and teaching. A good website for those wishing to study.
The Valuing People Support Team works across England and clearly shows you how to contact your regional advisor and gives you news and events from your region. This website gives you up-to-date news, events and links to other useful websites and detailed information on topics they are currently covering. They also produce a monthly newsletter. Lots of information on papers, action plans etc that the government are working on. (The Department of Health Learning Disabilities website no longer exists, but if you access the Valuing People website you should find the information you are looking for there.)
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