Directory: Disability

For information on disabled access, wheelchair walks, easy access for all, mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles and buggy walks visit the ACE website.

Somerset Council aim to provide accessible services for library members with special needs or disabilities. They offer support and services for carers, foster carers, home educators and child minders.

Specialist book collections cover mental health, autism, dementia, long-term conditions, adult literacy and learning English. If you have an accessibility issue not covered by these initiatives, please speak to library staff.

Additional concessions if you are blind, partially sighted or have other disabilities that affect reading such as dyslexia.

These fun sessions are for people with disabilities and are delivered by qualified coaches.

Venue: Strode College 3G Astro Pitch, Street, Somerset, BA16 0AB

When: Every Friday evening 7pm-8pm Cost: Free

Age 16+

The Blue Badge Scheme provides national parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel as drivers or passengers. The scheme is also for people who are severely sight impaired. People who have a blue badge can park close to their destination in on-street parking and car parks. The form can either be filled in online or you can call Somerset County Council.

The cost of a blue badge is £10. The badge can only be used with the person who owns the badge in the car at the time of parking, as a photograph is used on the badge, for identification. Badges take approximately a month to arrive.

Boccia is an inclusive game for disabled people, older people and their carers. It is similar to bowls but easier to play. Hosted by Key-Ring and run by Nova Sport & Coaching.  Every other Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm at the Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Justice Lane, Frome BA11 1BE.

The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema. The Card is also one way for cinemas to make sure they look after their disabled guests. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, cinema staff should make them for you whether you have a CEA Card or not.

A Somerset service that can provides a range of equipment to help people live independently, whether it is a wheelchair or equipment for the home or to help whilst out and about.  Somerset residents can borrow equipment as long as needed from this service, which includes delivery and fitting, servicing, collection and recycling.

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Passes are available for residents of Somerset who are of pensionable age or eligible on the grounds of disability. The pass allows you to travel free on buses in every area of England subject to certain time restrictions. Download application form online or contact Transporting Somerset who will post form.

You may be able to apply for a disabled person’s rail card, if you are in receipt of certain benefits, are visually impaired or registered as deaf, please see website for details, the card will allow you a third off rail travel and costs £20.00 a year.

Brought to you in partnership with Nova Sports and Coaching, a specialist provider in disability sport. Bi-weekly on a Saturday from 9:30am-1.30pm at Frome Sport and Fitness, Princess Anne Road, Frome BA11 2SA. For 5 years + £5 per person per session

Please note this club is for individuals with physical disabilities and their siblings. Participants do not need to be regular powerchair users or manual wheelchair users, nor own their own chairs.

Swimming and hydrotherapy sessions for children and young people with a disability or additional need aged between 5-18 years. The opportunity to develop water confidence, water skills and therapeutic movement in the water. There may be a waiting list.

Frome: Tuesdays between 4.00 – 6.00pm at Harry’s Hydro (Critchill School), Frome BA11 4LB.

To enquire about a minor adaptation such as grab rails, lever taps, threshold lowering etc. contact Somerset Direct.

Disabled Facilities grants:
To find out more about disabled facilities such as level access showers and stairlifts and apply for a grant (subject to eligibility) contact Adult Social Care via Somerset Direct and request to speak to an Occupational Therapist.

Independent Living Officers:
For referrals and enquiries regarding our hoarding service, Home Safety checks, Decent Homes, or for one of our trusted assessors to refer grab rails around your property contact Somerset Independent Plus.

Independent Living Centres have a range of equipment and technology to help you stay independent, both in the home, and also when out and about. At the centre you can get advice, find out what kind of equipment is available, and even try some out for yourself. It’s free to visit, but you’ll need to make an appointment first.

Shape Mendip, Stockhill Building, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT

Opening times are by appointment only: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 3:30pm

To arrange an appointment click ‘contact us’ via the website link below, or contact us by telephone or email on the below contact details; If deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired SMS text on 07862122246.

IPES is available for people aged 18 plus, who have a disability and live in the South of England, including Somerset.

IPES believe everyone should have the same opportunity to access a job that is right for them no matter what their circumstances are. Get in touch if this is you and they will sit down and look at how they can support you – giving you a very personalised service based on your individual needs.

If you are disabled, you may be able to exchange your mobility allowance to get a vehicle that suits your needs. What’s more you don’t even need to drive. Family, friends or carers can drive on your behalf.
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair by exchanging their Government funded mobility allowance . If you receive either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA), the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) , the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.

We provide an integrated service for the disabled and vulnerable people of Somerset, to enable them to be more independent, improve their housing and to live in safer homes through disabled adaptations, home improvements and prevention services.

The Home Maintenance Service is a subsidised service for small repairs and jobs around your house. The care and repair team works together with local authorities as well as the NHS in Somerset. The service also aims to reduce accidents and help make your home more secure.

To book a visit or to enquire an assessment at one of our Independent Advice Centres please contact Somerset Direct On 0300 123 2224 or alternatively you can email adults@somerset.gov.uk

The Somerset Social Care and Support for Adults Guide explores the entire social care journey. The online guide includes information on paying for care, finding the right care home, specialist care or help for carers.  The social care guide also gives you a list of care providers in Somerset, so whether you’re looking for a nursing home for dad in Frome, or a home care service for mum in Taunton Deane, this health and social care directory can help you. Follow the website link below to the e-book.