Helpful Organisations
There are many public organisations which provide services for disabled people. We can’t include all of them here, but we’ve put together a list of some of those we think will be most helpful together with details of how to contact them.
HOLIDAYS
Go Provence
Go Provence is a family-run company who provide supported activity holidays for adults with learning disabilities in the beautiful Gorge Du Verdon region of Provence.
Join us for a week in Provence, prices start from as little as £900, and discover the spectacular scenery and beautiful weather that this area is famous for, along with the warmth of the local people, the relaxed pace of life and, of course ,the fantastic French food!
For more information on how to book please visit our website www.goprovence.co.uk or email ian@goprovence.co.uk or telephone on 00 33 4 86 56 65 61
EDUCATION
City of Bath College
Norton Radstock College
Norton Radstock College provides a wide range of vocational courses at all levels from Level 1 right through to Foundation Degrees for both school leavers and adults. College sites are wheelchair accessible and the Student Support Services team is more than happy to discuss your individual support needs, which can include anything from BSL signers and large print materials to specialist equipment and support workers. The College also has specialist tutors to provide additional support for students with dyslexia, autism and Asperger Syndrome. There is also a programme to support students with learning difficulties.
For more information about Norton Radstock College and the courses on offer please visit www.nortcoll.ac.uk or call 01761 4331661. Alternatively, an appointment can be made with the Student Support Services team on 01761 433161 to discuss your needs.
The University of Bath
The University of Bath is one of the UK's leading universities.
We are a vibrant and innovative academic community. Our research has worldwide impact and our high quality teaching equips our graduates to become future leaders and innovators in their chosen fields.
Our small, friendly campus overlooks the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath.
We value working collaboratively with others and have a global network of contacts in business, the professions, the public sector, and the voluntary sector.
You can find out more about us including what this University offers to our disabled students on the following web pages:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/welcome/
http://www.bath.ac.uk/disabilityadvice/
http://www.disabledgo.com/en/org/university-of-bath
http://www.teambath.com/what-we-do/
http://www.bath.ac.uk/maps/accessmap.html
http://www.bath.ac.uk/accommodation/
http://www.bathstudent.com/aware/
Bath Spa University
Our aim is to make Bath Spa University accessible to everyone and we welcome applications from disabled people, including those who have dyslexia, Asperger’s syndrome or mental health illness. The Student Support team will work with you and with staff to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to enjoy and succeed in your studies. You may be entitled to apply for a DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance see www.direct.gov.uk/dsas) to support your studies. We also organise an early induction event for incoming disabled students.
Check out our web pages, come to see us at Open Days or contact us at Studentsupport@bathspa.ac.ukor tel: 01225 876543 at any time throughout the year.
Emergency Services
Police
Avon and Somerset Constabulary Disability action team
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/recruitment/disability_action_team/
Deaf, deafblind, defend and hard of hearing contact information
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact/plod/
Avon and Somerset Constabulary Disability
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/diversity/disability.aspx
Easy read PDF
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/information/documents/Section.aspx?s=91#DID_879
Hate Crime
Hate crime is subjecting people to harassment, victimisation, intimidation or abuse because of their:
- Race
- Faith
- Religion
- Disability
Or because they are:
- Lesbian
- Gay
- Bisexual
- Transgendered.
All hate crime is important. No hate crime is too minor to report to the police. Anyone can be the victim of a hate crime. We all have a racial identity, all have a sexual orientation and all have some sort of beliefs. Anyone of us could be targeted because of some aspect of our identity.
Hate crime can take many forms.
- Physical attacks
- Harassment
- Threats
- Disputes with your neighbours
- People swearing at you or making abusive remarks
- People doing things that frighten, intimidate or distress you
- Damage to property and graffiti
- Bullying at school or college
- Arson
- Spitting, insulting gestures.
How hate crime affects people.
The effects of hate crime vary, but often include:
- Anger and fear of repeat attacks
- Depression and a worsening of existing health conditions, including mental health issues
- A financial burden, for example, having to replace and repair vandalised property, or having to take time off work
- Victims changing their personal appearance, accommodation and, or daily patterns to avoid being victimised.
The Law.
There are several Acts that cover hate crime offences, including:
- Public Order Act 1986, Part III Incitement to Racial Hatred
- Football Offences Act 1991 (as amended)
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended by Anti-terrorism, Crime & Security Act 2001)
- Criminal Justice Act 2003
- Disability Discrimination Act 2005
- Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
- Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
For more information on Hate Crime please visit the Avon & Somerset Police website: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/community_safety/hate_crime/index.aspx
Fire
Fire does not discriminate.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is committed to ensuring safety messages and information on its website is accessible to all internet users.
AF&RS’s website, www.avonfire.gov.ukcontains a wealth of information on how you can keep yourself safe from fire and the help the service can offer you, including providing smoke detectors for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
AF&RS worked with Shaw Trust, a recognised leader in the field of website accessibility to improve its site, which achieved the charity’s highest award.
Websites, like AF&RS’s, which hold the Shaw Trust’s ‘Accessible Plus’ mark have been tested by people with a wide range of disabilities and found to be accessible.
AF&RS has also developed close links with local groups and carried out a number of activities aimed at making its residents safer.
Deaf community Fire Safety
http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/Your+safety/Deaf+Community+Fire+Safety/
Accessibility
http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/Accessibility.htm
Equality Schemes
http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/About+us/Equalities+and+Diversity/Equality+Schemes.htm
Single Equality
Emergency Text
http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/Your+safety/Deaf+Community+Fire+Safety/Emergency+Text+number.htm
Home Fire Safety Visits
http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/Your+safety/Home+Fire+Safety+Visits.htm
Ambulance
Great Western Ambulance Services NHS Trust.
Health
NHS Choices
NHS Choices is a catch all website that acts as a portal for all areas of the NHS. This includes guides to personal health care, the latest news stories from the NHS and information on local hospitals, GP’s, dentists and other local health care services. This information usually includes how accessible a venue is for people with disability needs.
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
Royal United Hospital
http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/index.asp
The Royal United Hospital (RUH) is situated in close to the city centre of Bath and provides acute treatment and care for the city and outlying areas. The site has 72 disabled car parking spaces in various locations and the average hourly of parking is £1.08.
Single Equality Draft
http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/get_involved/consultation_single_equality_scheme.asp?menu_id=1
Equality and Diversity
http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/about/equality_diversity/index.asp?menu_id=4
NHS Choices website link
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/pages/Hospital.aspx?id=RD130
Paulton Memorial Hospital
Paulton Hospital is one of two Community Hospitals located within Bath & North East Somerset and has 28 beds located in its ward, 5 of those being single rooms. It has free parking with four disabled parking spaces.
http://www.banes.nhs.uk/yourservices/hospitals/Pages/PaultonMenorialHospital.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=5FL29
St Martins Hospital
St Martin’s Hospital is the second of the Community Hospitals located within Bath & North East Somerset and has 31 inpatient beds.
http://www.banes.nhs.uk/yourservices/hospitals/Pages/StMartin'sCommunityHospital.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/pages/Hospital.aspx?id=5FL32
Circle Bath
CircleBath is the first hospital of its kind in the UK, owned by all the people that work there, it aims to deliver the highest level of clinical care. With disabled parking, wheelchair access and induction loops, CircleBath aims to be as accessible as possible to its patients and their visitors.
http://www.circlehealth.co.uk/our-hospitals/bath
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/pages/Hospital.aspx?id=NV302
BMI Bath Clinic
BMI Bath Clinic is part of BMI Healthcare and provides independent healthcare to the B&NES area. With 67 beds, all in individual rooms they provide a relaxed and personal environment to health care.
http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/bath
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/pages/Hospital.aspx?id=NT402
Bath Royal National Hospital for rheumatic Diseases
The Bath Royal National Hospital for rheumatic Disease (also well known as ‘The Min’) is situated in the centre of Bath and provides specialist health care for a number of conditions, including, Rheumatology, Neuro-rehabilitation, Pain Management, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME.
http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/pages/Hospital.aspx?id=RBB01
B&NES Council
Health & Social Care
Health & Social Care is a new website initiative created by B&NES council and NHS B&NES to produce a website that covers all aspects of health and social care. Topics include Carers, Children and Family Care, Community Transport, Directory of Local Services, Disabilities, Food Safety, Fostering, and others.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/healthandsocial/Pages/default.aspx
B&NES Equality & Diversity
This page outlines the councils commitment to Equality & Diversity, setting out its goals for promoting equality and provides useful links on the subjects that they cover.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityandliving/equality/Pages/default.aspx
Disability and Sports Clubs
This page provides information onthe rights disabled people have to access sporting facilities, and also includes links to known disabled sporting clubs and events in the area.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/leisureandculture/fitness/Disability/Pages/default.aspx
Shop Mobility
The shop mobility page provides information on the location of the Shop Mobility, the service it provides and the rate at which it does so.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/leisureandculture/tourismandtravel/Pages/shopmobility.aspx
Aquaterra Leisure
Aquaterra Leisure are the group that run the local leisure centres in Bath & North East Somerset, on their website you can find out information about the sites they run and the events available there.
Families with a Disabled Child or a Child with a Special Educational Need.
This page provides information for families with a disabled child or a special educational need, as well as providing further useful links to a range of related services within the council.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityandliving/childcare/Pages/FamilieswithaDisabledChild.aspx
Aiming High for Disabled Children
Aiming High for Disabled Children webpage provides information about the initiative and various links and topics about the broad reach of the program that focuses on improving the lives of disabled children and their families.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityandliving/childcare/Pages/aiminghighfordisabledchildren.aspx
Public Toilets in Bath
As well as a link to a map of the public convinces in Bath, this page also iterates B&NES commitment to the Disability Discrimination Act in regards to public facilities in the area and making them accessible to everyone.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/transportandstreets/streetcareandcleaning/publictoilets/Pages/default.aspx
