Further Help
This section includes a range of other schemes which can help with day to day living. For information about the schemes which primarily offer financial help, such as Motability and the Family Fund see the Money Matters section.
Carers Emergency Alert Card
This is a small card with a message 'Someone depends on me. In an emergency please telephone ...' That number will alert the relevant call centre (in which there are three in the county), which will respond by carrying instructions on an enrolment form previously filled in by you, the carer.
This service is available through Nottinghamshire County Council for Adults 18 plus, to be able to access this service you need to obtain an application form by calling 0115 8783569.
However it does not exist at the moment in Nottingham City Council but developments are being made – so watch this space!
Free nappies
If your child gets to four years old and still needs nappies throughout the day because of his or her special needs, you should be able to get them free from your health visitor. School-age children can get them via the school nurse and six products per day is the usual maximum number of items allowed. The Continence Adviser at the Children's and Young Persons Continence Service may also be able to help. You can contact them through your health visitor.
Free Bus Pass
Children over five who have a disability may be eligible for a free bus pass. To check the eligibility of your child you will need to fill in an application form.
If you are a city resident you will need to obtain an application form from the following places:
Any local library, Broadmarsh Bus Station or Nottingham City Transport based in the Old Market Square.
If you are a county resident you need to contact your Local District Authority and each enquiry will be dealt with individually.
Publications
Contact a Family produce a range of publications for parents and professionals including their Share an Idea newsletter, factsheets, booklets and research reports.
They have recently produced a series of leaflets in conjunction with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) which offer practical tips for parents of disabled children on a number of topics including Feeding, Potty/toilet training and Sleeping (these pdfs open in a new window).
They also publish 'The Contact a Family Directory' which gives information on 1,100 rare disorders and details of associated support groups. Most of their publications are available via their website.
Other useful national publications include: the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) Bulletin; the RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) updates; and the Disability Directory, produced by the government's 'Disability on the Agenda' information service.
Locally, IRIS Magazine is available free to parents. The Carers Federation Ltd, is another useful source of up-to-date information on practical help and other matters and is free to carers. Many of the local parent-led groups or disability organisations also have their own bulletins or newsletters.