Life Events

Becoming Disabled

These pages are designed to provide some useful help and advice to anyone who becomes disabled whether you have a physical or sensory disability.

Who do I contact if I become disabled?

If you are over 18 and become disabled, you should contact ether the Physical Assessment team or Sensory Assessment Team. These are fieldwork teams, which means that they work with people in the community as part of Adult and Community Services. If you have a child with a disability you should contact the Children Services Assessment Team.

Staff within these teams will be able to give you information and advice and may be able to offer you services such as respite care. They will also be able to give you information on any voluntary, private, community or leisure groups available.

What benefits may I be entitled to?

Your social worker will be able to provide help and advice with matters relating to benefit entitlements. A number of organisations in Barking and Dagenham can also provide welfare benefits advice.

Alternatively, Advice, Benefits and Emergencies lists a number of benefit entitlements.

Where can I go for information on work and becoming disabled?

The Disablement Association of Barking and Dagenham provides a range of services to help disabled people back into work, including work placements, training and help with application forms.

The Disability Rights Commission also offers advice and support for both employers and employees regarding disability.

Adult Learning

To increase your chances in the workplace you may wish to improve your skills. Many of the local colleges and schools offer adult learning courses offering you the chance to learn at all levels.

Training and Carers lists a number of places where people can go for education and training.

Where can I go for counselling?

Becoming disabled can be a difficult time and you may want to talk with someone. Counselling is available from a number of organisations. Talk with your GP who may be able to refer you to a counsellor.

If you have a visual impairment or are deaf, the specialist teams within Adult and Community Services may be able to help.

Where can I go for rehabilitation services?

The Community Disabilities Team is a combined team of Occupational Therapists and technical staff whose purpose is to provide equipment, minor adaptations and major adaptations for residents.

At present, all requests for services must be made through the Adult Intake and Access Team for those of working age and above or to Children and Families Assessment Team. This is so we can get a detailed indication of the service user's potential needs.

Disablement Association of Barking and Dagenham also provides information and support with equipment sales and training.

Is there any support for my carer?

Our aim is to actively help all carers within the borough and to make sure they receive appropriate support. For more information about a carer assessment and support your carer could receive please contact the Adult Intake and Access Team.

Where can I meet other disabled people?

The Community Disabilities Team has a number of day centres available for people with physical and learning disabilities. Your Social worker or care manager will also be able to advise you of other suitable clubs and activities.

Are there any national organisations that might be able to help me?

Support Groups and Organisations lists a number of links to national organisations.

Am I entitled to help with transport?

If you are a car user you may be entitled to join the disabled parking scheme.

The disabled parking badge scheme is a national scheme for people who, are registered blind, have severe walking difficulties or regularly drive but are unable to turn the steering wheel by hand.

The scheme provides a wide range of parking benefits. For example the scheme enables badge holders to park free in most pay and display car parks and also to park on single and double yellow lines in most streets for up to 3 hours.

A number of Community Transport services also operate within the borough. These provide transport for members of the community who do not have suitable public transport services available for their travel needs.