Accommodation and equipment
AbilityNet
Helpline: 0800 269545
Provides impartial advice to disabled people about assistive technology to suit individual needs. Regional centres may offer individual assessment, bespoke solutions and telephone support. Information on communication aids is also available.
Age UK
Helpline (England and Wales): 0800 169 6565
Helpline (Scotland): 0845 125 9732
Helpline (Northern Ireland): 0808 808 7575
Although this charity does not provide personal financial advice, it can refer you to somebody who can give you advice based on your circumstances. Its website also has pages giving general financial advice.
Assist UK
Helpline: 0870 770 2866
National network for advice and information on equipment for independent living. Their website links to your nearest local Disabled Living Centre, where it is possible to see and try out specially adapted products and equipment before buying.
Association of Independent Care Advisers (AICA)
Telephone: 01483 203066
Member organisation for Independent Care Advisers, who offer expert knowledge to the public on options for care. Their website provides contact details for local advisers and residential and nursing care. Some members also provide advocacy for care home residents.
British Red Cross
Local branches may provide wheelchair hire or short-term loan of mobility aids and continence aids. Transport to medical appointments may also be available. The website has an online shop of products to enable independent living.
Counsel and Care
Helpline: 0845 300 7585
Information and advice about community care, care home fees and related benefits. From the website you can download factsheets and two care home guides, including information on what to do if problems occur after admission to a care home.
DIAL UK
A network of information and advice lines and services for people with disabilities, mostly in England and Wales. Offers information on access to local facilities and services, including social support, sport and leisure. Their website has a search facility to find local services.
Disabled Living Foundation
Helpline: 0845 130 9177
Impartial advice and information about adapted and specialist equipment for people living with disability. Includes possible sources of funding or second hand equipment.
Housingcare.org
Helpline: 0800 377 7070
Provides advice about accommodation options and allows you to search for retirement housing and care homes. Provided by Elderly Accommodation Counsel (see below).
Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC)
Telephone: 020 7820 1343
Information and advice for older people and their relatives and carers to help them make informed decisions about housing and care needs. You can link to their searchable database of retirement housing and care homes.
Keytools
This supplier of assistive technology has an online shop offering a wide range of hardware and software that is adapted to specific needs and ergonomically designed.
Leonard Cheshire Disability
Telephone: 020 3242 02000
Provides wide-ranging services to disabled people, including care homes, supported living, community outreach and respite care. Services for acquired brain injury include post-hospital rehabilitation and longer-term support and accommodation.
Livability
Telephone: 020 7452 2000
Provides wide-ranging services for disabled people, including residential care services, supported living and holiday accommodation. Their rehabilitation for brain injury is available in Suffolk
Relatives and Residents Association
Helpline: 020 7359 8136
Support with decisions about moving into long-term residential care, making the transition to a care home and problems with quality of life in a care home.
Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)
RADAR campaigns on disability rights. They publish useful guides on rights to facilities and services, on driving, mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs, holidays and on the National Key Scheme (NKS) for accessible public toilets.
Read our publications:
Accommodation after stroke
Aids and equipment for independent living