If you are unable to find the information you need in this section, please consider contacting an organisation which specialises in a particular disability. For more information please visit the Impairments section.

AbilityNet

AbilityNet is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting the technology they already have available to them. AbilityNet’s education services help students with Special Educational Needs improve opportunities and independence by using assistive technologies (AT).

AbilityNet
PO Box 94
Warwick
CV34 5WS

Helpline:   0800 269545
enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
www.abilitynet.org.uk

ACE Centre Advisory Trust

ACE Centre Advisory Trust offers help and support to; disabled children who have complex physical and communication difficulties, their parents, carers, and therapists, using communication technology. It also produces software, publications and a comprehensive listing of communication aids.

ACE Centre
92 Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7DR

Tel: 01865 759800
info@ace-centre.org.uk
www.ace-centre.org.uk

CandLE Ltd. (Communication and Learning Enterprises)

CandLE is a not-for-profit company and aims to support people who have communication and movement difficulty. Services include training for practitioners, Learning and Communication needs assessment, and support for young people and adults with disabilities.

CandLE Ltd
32 Market Place
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4TN

Tel:  08456 210 708
contactcandle@btinternet.com
www.contactcandle.co.uk

Council for Disabled Children (CDC)

This is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector in England, with links to the other UK nations. CDC works to influence national policy that impacts upon disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEN) and their families.

Council for Disabled Children
8 Wakley Street
London
EC1V 7QE

Tel:   020 7843 1900
cdc@ncb.org.uk
Click here to find out more

Department for children, schools and families

Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC): Better support for families’, is a government initiative which aims to improve service provision across the board for disabled children and their families, and to enhance equality and opportunity for them.

Click here to find out more

Directgov

Info & advice from the Government about learning and education for disabled people including children
Click here to visit DirectGov

I CAN

I CAN works to support the development of speech, language and communication skills of children with speech, language and communication needs. Services include specialist therapy, teaching and care, early years centres, and special schools. It also provides information for families and training for teachers and other professionals.

I CAN
Unit 31
Angel Gate (Gate 5)
Goswell Road
London
EC1V 2PT

Tel:   0845 225 4073 - Information
info@ican.org.uk
www.ican.org.uk

Karten Network

The Karten Network is a network of IT centres for disabled people.  The centres are funded through the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, with the purpose of improving the quality of life and independence of adult people with congenital or acquired physical, cognitive, sensory, learning disabilities or mental health problems.
The Karten Centres provide a supportive learning environment together with access to the latest in adaptive computer technology, and are located in a wide range of host organisations. To find details of your nearest centre, please look at the “Centres” section of the website below.

Tel: 07530 702134
ceri@karten-network.org.uk
www.karten-network.org.uk

KIDS

KIDS is a charity that works in partnership with parents and carers to enable disabled children and young people to develop their skills and abilities and to fulfil their potential, hopes and aspirations. For details of their work and regions please visit website.

KIDS
49 Mecklenburgh Square
London
WC1N 2NY

Tel: 020 7520 0405
www.kids.org.uk

The National Network of Assessment Centres (UK)

Each assessment or training session is about giving an individual the chance to experience the latest and most appropriate study techniques and aids specific to his or her needs. It is a chance for all to experiment with various types of technology knowing the advice will be professional and unbiased. On-going support and training is available and liaison with those working with the student on a daily basis is offered.  To search for your nearest assessment centre please go to the DSA-QAG website.

admincentre@nnac.org
www.nnac.org

Network 81

Network 81 is a national network of parents working towards properly resourced and inclusive education for children with special educational needs. It runs a national helpline which offers advice and support, provides befriending and support services, and produces publications.

Network 81
1-7 Woodfield Terrace
Stansted
Essex
CM24 8AJ

Tel:  0845 077 4055 (Helpline)
info@network81.org
www.network81.org

NIACE

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) aims to encourage all adults to engage in learning of all kinds.

20 Princess Road West
Leicester
LE1 6TP

Tel: 0016 2044200/4201
Fax: 0116 2854514

enquiries@niace.org.uk
www.niace.org.uk

Parents for Inclusion

A national charity of parents helping parents so their disabled children can learn, make friends and have a voice in ordinary schools and throughout life. Services include a helpline, training and running inclusion groups in schools.

Parents for Inclusion
336 Brixton Road
London
SW9 7AA

Tel: 0800 652 3145 (helpline)
www.parentsforinclusion.org
info@parentsforinclusion.org

Parent Partnership Services

Statutory services that offer information, advice and support for parents of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). Visit the website to find a free impartial Parent Partnership Service near you.

8 Wakley Street
London
EC1V 7QE

Tel:   0207 843 6058
nppn@ncb.org.uk
www.parentpartnership.org.uk

Rathbone Training

A UK-wide voluntary youth sector organisation providing opportunities for young people to transform their life-circumstances by re-engaging with learning, discovering their ability to succeed and achieving progression to further education, training and employment.

Rathbone Head Office
4th Floor
Churchgate House
56 Oxford Street
Manchester
M1 6EU

Tel:   0800 731 5321
www.rathboneuk.org

Skill

A national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment.

Unit 3, Floor 3
Radisson Court
219 Long Lane
London
SE1 4PR

Telephone:  0800 328 5050
Textphone: 0800 068 2422
www.skill.org.uk

Sunfield

Sunfield is a national UK charity specialising in the care of children with severe and complex learning needs and is recognised internationally for its work with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Sunfield offers full time residential care and education and provision for day students and an assessment and outreach service for supporting children within their own family and school environments.

Woodman Lane
Clent, Near Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 9PB

Tel:   01562 882253
www.sunfield.org.uk

The Alliance for Inclusive Education

This is a national network led by disabled people and supported by allies that include parents, educators and Head Teachers. The Alliance has campaigned successfully, over the last 15 years, to remove the legal conditions which have served to limit the rights of children with Special Educational Needs to secure a supported mainstream placement. Services include production of a magazine and resources, and organising events, training and local groups.

336 Brixton Road
London
SW9 7AA

Tel:    020 7737 6030
info@allfie.org.uk
www.allfie.org.uk

Transition Information Network

The Transition Information Network website is for parents, carers and people who work with and for disabled young people in transition to adulthood. A young people’s site will be added shortly.

Transition Information Network
Council for Disabled Children
8 Wakley Street
London
EC1V 7QE.

Tel: 020 7843 6006 (not a helpline)
Fax: 020 78436313

tin@ncb.org.uk
www.after16.org.uk

TreeHouse

TreeHouse is the national charity for autism education.  It campaigns for better autism education nationally and runs a school for children and young people with autism. It also offers training and consultancy on autism education.

The Pears National Centre for Autism Education
Woodside Avenue
London
N10 3JA

Tel:     020 8815 5444
info@treehouse.org.uk
www.treehouse.org.uk