Disability guides and resources
Links to Church Related Organisations:
Through the Roof - A Christian charity providing a range of services and resources including leading publications some of which can be borrowed from the Old Deanery.
Livability gives disabled and disadvantaged people real choice about how they live their lives. As the UK's largest Christian disability charity, they run care homes and other services. They also provide resources to help churches think about 'Ten things your church can do to involve disabled people'.
Care for the Family Another Way - supporting parents of children with additional needs.
Churches for All - an umbrella grouping of several Chrisitan disability charities. The site asks a lot of the basic questions people need to consider. They also run Disability Sunday - a day for UK churches and fellowships to use the profile of the Paralympic Games to focus on disability.
Links to Other Organisations:
Somerset Advocacy is an independent, not for profit organisation based in Taunton, providing a countywide advocacy service for vulnerable people who require support to have a 'voice' in their lives.
Compass Disability - Based in Taunton, their mission is "to enable disabled people to have equality of opportunity". A key local organisatin that has run various major events including "Disability Somerset".
Open Storytellers uses the art form of storytelling to help people to find personal meaning in traditional stories. They seek to enrich the lives of people with learning and communication difficulties, and those who live and work with them, through the use of narrative and story.
Disabled People - Key Government guidance for people with disabilities
Equalities Act 2010 - Key Government guidance
Autism and Aspergers Syndrome
Church: Welcoming those with Autism and Asperger Syndrome in our Churches and Communities.
Other: Advice and information on Autism and Aspergers from the National Autistic Society
Learning Difficulties
Church: Prospects are a national group who describe themselves as a mission to people with learning disabilities. They provide advice, training and resource materials to equip churches for effective ministry and outreach among people 'dearly loved by God and often marginalised by society'. They have a Mission Development Coordinator in the South West.
Visual Impairment
Church: The Torch Trust
Original Source (No longer active): http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/faithandmission/disability-guides-and-resources/
Replacement page: http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/ministry-for-mission/mission/social-justice/what-we-do/disability-open-to-all/