Links
There are many external organisations which provide assistance and advice for disabled students. The following selection should provide you with some useful links to other sites, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information they contain. If you are unable to access the information you require, the Student Disability Advisor will be happy to help you.
If you have experience of any useful support organisations not listed below, please do let us know.
Disability
Disability Rights UK
Disability Rights UK aims to be the largest national pan-disability organisation led by disabled people. It was formed through a unification of Disability Alliance, Radar and National Centre for Independent Living in January 2012. It has also taken over many of the functions of SKILL (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) which has now closed, but their publications can be found at www.disabilityrightsuk.org/studentpublications.htm
Dial
Now merged with Scope, DIAL UK is a national network of 130 local Disability Information and Advice Line services run by and for disabled people. Last year DIAL helped over a quarter of a million disabled people.
Action on Access
Action on Access promotes inclusivity and diversity, challenges exclusion and lobbies for the broadest possible access to Higher Education. It publishes a useful series of Disability Focus guides for HE staff.
Tag Disability
Tag Disability is a free online disability education resource library.
Employability
Employability provides opportunities for disabled and dyslexic students and graduates, with free events and support throughout the recruitment process and beyond.
Specific Learning Difficulties
British Dyslexia Association
The British Dyslexia Association offers advice, information and help to dyslexic people.
Brain.HE
Best resources for achievement and intervention regarding neurodiversity in Higher Education. Great links too!
ADD Study
Set up by an ex-SOAS student to provide support, resources and a social community for students in Higher and Further Education with ADD/ADHD; facilitates groups (email for meeting dates at SOAS).
For more SpLD links see also www.soas.ac.uk/add/dyslexia/resources/
Sight Impaired/Blind
RNIB
The Royal National Institute for Blind People offers information, support and advice for people with sight loss; resources include an online shop.
Blind in Business
Blind in Business helps blind and partially sighted students into work, providing free training, events and employment opportunities.
ULU Society for the Visually Impaired
Student led group for University of London students with visual impairments. To get in touch email visuallyimpairedsociety@gmail.com
Hearing Impaired/Deaf
The British Deaf Association
The BDA is run by and for Deaf people and campaigns to achieve equality; website includes information on British Sign Language.
Action on Hearing Loss
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Action on Hearing Loss provides information, practical advice and training for people with hearing loss, campaigns and promotes research; website includes an online shop.
Deaf Unity
Deaf Unity runs projects which aim to improve the quality of life of Deaf people in the UK and worldwide.
Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
The National Autistic Society
NAS champions the rights and interests of all people with Autism (including Aspergers Syndrome) and aims to provide individuals and their families with information, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives.
University Students with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
This site was last updated in 2008 but contains some interesting information
Mental Health Difficulties
Mind
Mind provides information, advice and support for anyone with mental health problems, and has a national network of local groups.
Students Against Depression
Students against Depressions has information, resources and real student stories about depression.
Mental Wealth UK
Mental Wealth UK is a national student body committed to promoting mental health and wellbeing on university campuses; campaigns, runs groups and has useful links to further resources.
Unseen or Chronic Conditions
NAM
NAM is an award-winning community-based organisation which works from the UK. They deliver reliable and accurate HIV information across the world to HIV-positive people and to the professionals who treat, support and care for them.
Action for ME
Action for ME is the leading UK charity for people with ME and their carers; provides information and support, and campaigns for better services, more effective treatment and research
Scope
Scope is the national organisation for people with Cerebral Palsy and their carers, providing information, support and advice. Scope has recently merged with DIAL (see above).
Brain and Spine Foundation
The Brain and Spine Foundation provides information on disease and damage to brain and spine, including strokes, epilepsy, tumours, meningitis, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, speech and language difficulties.
British Lung Foundation
www.britishlungfoundation.org.uk
The British Lung Foundation provides information on lung diseases and support for people living with these conditions.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK's only national charity dedicated to all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis.
Birthmark Support Group
www.birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk
The Birthmark Support Group provides information and advice, including real stories and an online community.
