Specialist legal, benefits and education advice organisations (across UK)

See also: Help with the law, benefits and education

Advisory Centre for Education promotes greater openness and accountability in education. Therefore encourages parents to become more informed and involved in their child's education. Produces a range of publications on school and education including 'Special Education Handbook', 'The Law on children with Special Needs'.
Contact: Unit 1B Aberdeen Studios,
22-24, Highbury Grove,
London, N5 2DQ
Telephone: 0808 8005793 (2-5 pm, Mon-Fri)

Asian People with Disabilities Alliance (APDA) is an organisation that offers help with translation, cultural and disability issues including understanding diagnoses.
Contact: Disability Alliance Centre,
Old Refectory
Central Middlesex Hospital
Acton Lane, Park Royal,
London, NW10 7NS
Telephone: 020 8961 6773

Benefit Enquiry Line is a free government helpline for confidential advice about filling in benefit application forms and related issues. You do not have to give your name or child's details for advice. Tel: 0800 882200 www.dss.gov.uk

Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) provide a wide range of free leaflets and publications about education issues for children with special needs. Especially good leaflet 'Assessments & Statements'. Contact: Room 2S 203, S Block, www.inclusion.org.uk Frenchay Campus,Coldharbour Lane, Telephone: 0117 344 4007 Bristol, BS16 1QU

Department of Education and Skills provides a range of free booklets about current provision and guidelines for good practice. Contact: Department of Education and Skills, Telephone: 0850 602 2260 Publication Centre, PO Box 5050, SherwoodPark, Annersley, Nottingham, NG15 ODJ

Disability Alliance publishes the 'The Disability Rights Handbook ' which is a comprehensive, up to date guide to benefits and services to people with disabilities and their carers in the U.K. New issue available from March 2002 @ £13 incl. P&P (£9 if applicant is receiving benefits). Current issue reduced to £6.50. Contact: Universal House, Telephone: 020 7247 8776 88-94 Wentworth Street, London, E1 7SA.

Network 81 is a national network of parents of children with special needs established to advance the education of children with any special need and to keep parents informed about educational issues. It operates a helpline, Befrienders scheme and publishes a 'Step by step Guide to Statementing'.
Contact: 1-7 Woodfield Terrace,
Stansted,
Essex, CM24 8AJ
Telephone: 01279 647415 (10am -2pm, Mon-Fri)

Parents at Work is an organisation that publishes a useful book 'Waving not drowning' which includes details of organisations, employment issues and childcare options for parents of disabled or ill children. Contact: 45 Beech Street, Barbican,
London, EC2Y 8AD
Telephone: 020 7628 3565
www.parentsatwork.org.uk