Organisations in Northern Ireland

All of the organisations are listed alphabetically

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Action on Disability Project

The Action on Disability Project provides services to disabled people across a widening area of West Belfast. It has been in operation for several years and is funded by the Community Fund and supported by the Upper Springfield Development Company LTD. The aim of the AOD is to promote the social inclusion of local disabled people in the West Belfast Area. The organisation helps people with all disabilities of all ages in this trust area and operates on a referral basis. You can be referred by a social worker, GP, Paediatrician or even by yourself. For children the organisation provides the following services

• Afterschools for 5-11 year olds
• childcare places
• befriending for 12 years and over
• teenage support for 12-17 year olds
• Aspergers Youth Group 12-17 year olds
• summer scheme provision
• information and advice service

You can contact Anne-Marie McCormick (Project Manager) at the address below. She is very helpful and friendly. There is an information pack available and it also comes in alternative formats (Braille)

689 Springfield Road
Belfast
BT12 7FP

02890236677

Autism NI (PAPA)

Autism NI (PAPA) is the main voluntary organisation for the support of children and adults with Autism in Northern Ireland.  Formed in 1989 by a group of concerned parents and professionals, Autism NI (PAPA) seeks to ensure that people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their carers have access to appropriate services, enabling them to become valued members of the community.  The charity has approximately 700 members and supports a network of 17 branches and local support groups across the province.  We provide free advice and information, support for parents and carers, a 24-hour helpline, an Autism library and a wide range of training courses.

For more information contact:

Autism NI (PAPA)
Donard
Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Belfast
BT8 8BH
Tel: 028 9040 1729
Fax: 028 9040 3467
E-mail: info@.autismni.org

Barnardos (Foyle area)

Barnardo's Family Keyworker Service caters for children with complex disabilities and healthcare needs and their families within the Foyle Trust area, which includes Dungiven, Limavady, Derry/Londonderry, Strabane and the surrounding areas. Visit their website for more information

Baywatch

No, not the TV show, but an organisation dedicated to stamping out the abuse of disabled parking bays in Northern Ireland. They did a survey in March using around 400 volunteers and found that at any given time approx. one quarter of disabled parking bays are being abused by non disabled people. To see what you can do to help and to keep up to date with new developments visit their website.

Belfast Carer's Association

If you are a carer, its important to have support and get everything you are entitled to.  The BCA is Belfast based but the helpline is very good and manned by some really nice people (I know, I've called them a few times myself!).  They also hold regular coffee mornings most Tuesdays.

Suites 2-5 Merrion Business Centre
Second Floor
68 Howard Street
Belfast BT1 6PJ
Email: info@carerscentre.org

(028)90434700

Blue Badge Scheme

You can download an application form from this site and find out how to get a Blue Badge, or if you meet the criteria.

Carers Ni

Another carers organisation.  They are campaigning along with ITV to improve the quality of living for carers in NI.

Cedar Foundation

This organisation was created to help disabled people in Northern Ireland participate fully in society.  Its services range from training for adults to activities for children and also to independent living centres.  It can also give information and advice to parents of children with physical disabilities.  They have offices in many different parts of Northern Ireland.  Click on the link below to go to their site.  Many parents will be given information on Cedar by a social worker or health visitor, but if not you can contact them independently.

Head office: Malcolm Sinclair House

31 Ulsterville Avenue

Belfast

BT9 7AS

(028)90666188

Centre For Independant Living

The CIL is an organisation of disabled people working to support disabled people's rights. They promote independant living and raise awareness about Direct Payments as an option for people to achieve independance. The organisation can offer advice if you receive direct payments or are considering applying for them. They can be contacted:

61 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast
BT15 2GB

02890875001

Childrens Independant Therapy Centre

An indendependant therapy centre for OT and Speech therapies. They work with children with many different problems. They have a website which is not up and running yet but will be soon. They have wheelchair access at the back, phone for more details if you are interested.

33 Bachelors Walk,
Lisburn
02892670090
email: info@citni.com

Contact a Family

A UK based charity that has regional offices in Northern Ireland.  You can sign up for their newsletter, and it is full of tips.  The charity can put you in touch with other families in your area or in the UK who have a child with a similar disability to yours.  Even if you don't use this service, the newsletter can provide you with information on what services and also activities are in operation or planned in the future.  They have regional advisors and this is a great organisation to contact if you need advice.

Contact a Family Northern Ireland
1 Wallace Avenue
Lisburn BT27 4AA
Tel: 028 9262 7552
e-mail: nireland.office@cafamily.org.uk

Disability Action

DA do not provide and services for children but their information and advice unit can provide advice on a range of issues for any age group.  They work with young people through a training support service which supports people with disabilities on the job skills programme.  Some of our services do require a referral but most are available without one. 

Head Office - Belfast
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
(028) 90297880

Disability Sports NI

This organisation is dedicated to bringing sport to children and adults who use wheelchairs or have mobility problems.  They have a newsletter (though I haven't got anything from them in a while) and the website has a section devoted to clubs.  There are lots of activities listed, from football to skiing and basketball.  

Unit 6

Ormeau Business Park

8 Cromac Ave

Belfast 

BT7 2JA

(028) 90508255

Equality Commission NI

This is the Northern Ireland equivalent of the DRC and is based in Belfast.  It can help you understand your rights under the new legislation.  It can also help you take action if you feel that you or your child has been discriminated against.  It also has information you can download.

Telephone : 028 90 500600
Textphone : 028 90 500589

Fleming Fulton School

This is a great special school in Belfast.  The website is good if you want to find out more about the school, maybe if you are considering whether or not to send you child there.  There is always plenty going on throughout the year. 

Lighthouse Trust

The Lighthouse Trust was set up in 1997 by parents who saw a need for therapy during the summer when the schools close and there is no real holiday provision. They use the Peta Method of therapy. They are based in Donaghadee. It is a charity, but there is a charge for treatment. I am told it is very reasonable. Click on the link below to find out more.

Lisburn Access Group

Lisburn Access Group leads the way for inclusive access to public buildings; businesses, leisure facilities, parks & public open spaces, bus & train stations, shops etc. through working with the decision makers in all sections of the community and lobbying for change in legislation

They are a voluntary group with individual members, representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors and covering all areas of the community.

If you have or someone you know has access difficulties and you are interested in better access why not join them?

C/O 3a Bridge Street
Lisburn
Co Antrim
BT28 1XZ

Email lisburnaccessgroup@yahoo.co.uk

McElmeel Mobility Services

McElmeel are based near Armagh and specialise in adapted vehicles. You can buy from them privately or through the mobility scheme. They will bring the vehicle to your home for a demonstration and a test drive. They can also carry out any adaptions needed to your car and have very up to date equipment available. If you need an adapted vehicle then it is worth giving them a call, I have found them to be very helpful.

Phone 028 37525333

NICPR (Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register)

There is a CP register in Northern Ireland, and Jackie Parkes, who is based in Queens, has kindly given me an overview of the register. It is confidential, and it is used to keep a record of how many people have CP, and if there are any changes to the prevalance. The register is also used to see how services can be improved. She welcomes contact from parents, and can be reached at the address below. Click here to see the overview of the register.

Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register
Room 1.36
Mulhouse Building
Queen’s University Belfast
Institute of Clinical Science
Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ
Telephone: 028 9063 5045

North West Belfast HSS Trust

This website is full of great links to all the services available in North and West Belfast and also beyond.  It is well worth a visit.

Oxygen Therapy Centre, Larne

Oxygen therapy is used to treat people with various physical problems and disabilities.  This centre is based in Larne, and if you are interested in finding out more then check out the website and get in touch with them.  All the contact details are on the site.

Rams NI, Therapy Centre, Dunmurry

Rams specialises in treating people with MS, but it has a hyperbaric oxegen tank and anyone of any age can use it. Thier contact details are on the website.

Sparcle Project

Sparcle (studyof participation of children with Cerebral Palsy living in Europe) is a project that includes 9 different european countries to study prevalence and treatment of Cerebral Palsy. Many parents in NI have already taken part in this project. It also has undertaken a study into the quality of life of children in Europe with CP. Visit the website to find out more.

Shopmobility

You have probably seen these in your local shopping centre.  This charitable organisation provides wheelchairs and scooters to members.  Some of the shopmobility schemes charge a membership fee, some don't.  I am not sure that this is something a child would use, but it could be useful in the future, or even if a child/young person can walk but tires easily.  

Parents For Opportunities

This is a relatively new group in the Lisburn area set up by parents themselves. The funding for afterschools provision for children with a disability was cut in 2006 so the parents got together and formed the group. They meet monthly and last year sucessfully ran 2 afterschools clubs (Tues and Thurs). The group also did a lot of fund raising and got some additional funding so they will be able to offer more activities and accept new applications in 2007/2008. There is a small annual fee (£10 at the time of going to press). You must be a member of Positive Futures for your child to take part in activities, and also be prepared to help out with fundraising. Recently the group has been able to run more activities, such as Horse Riding, Trampolining, Drama, Computers, Dancing and Swimming.

email info@parentsforopportunities.org.uk

Positive Futures

Originally formed in 1995 and called United Response Northern Ireland, the name Positive Futures for people with a learning disablity was formally adopted in 2002 to reinforce the organisation's mission. 170 people now work for the charity. They have services right across From offices in Bangor; Belfast, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Newry , Lakeland and Omagh we provide services across Northern Ireland.

Positive Futures has a clear mission and defined values. For people with a learning disability, the services we offer bring independence, dignity, respect and the opportunity to live full and valued lives within their own communities.

Positive Futures provides a variety of different services including:

• Family support service
• buddy scheme
• housing support
• helping disabled children access mainstream activities.

visit the website for more information or contact them at the address below

Head Office:

2b Park Drive, Bangor, BT20 4JZ
T: 028 9147 5720
info@positive-futures.net

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