Your Rights Contacts

National

British Council of Disabled People (BCODP)

For equality and participation of disabled people in society. Includes details of useful local contacts / services.
Tel: 01332 295551
Minicom: 01332 295581
e-mail:general@bcodp.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

Confidential advice on lots of issues. The website includes a section on 'Frequently Asked Questions', offered in Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu.
Tel: see 'Local' for your nearest office

Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)

Advice and information on equality issues
Tel: 020 7939 0000
e-mail:info@cre.gov.uk

Crimestoppers

Tel: 0800 555 111 (This is a freephone number you can use to give information about any crime. Information can be given anonymously, which means you will never have to give your name or address, make a statement or go to court.)

Community Legal Service

For help and information on a range of legal issues
(information on the website is also available in Welsh, Urdu, Chinese, Bengali, Gujarati and Punjabi)

DIAL UK (Disablement Information Advice Lines)

Has information on local disablement advice offices. Local branches offer information and advice to disabled people and others on all aspects of living with a disability.
Tel: 01302 310123
Textphone: 01302 310123 (please use voice announcer)
e-mail:enquiries@dialuk.org.uk

Disability Law Service

Provides free and confidential legal advice to people with disabilities, their families and carers
Tel: 020 7791 9800
Minicom: 020 7791 9801
e-mail:advice@dls.org.uk

Disability Rights Commission (DRC)

Advice and information on disability rights
Tel: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622 644
e-mail:mailto:enquiry@drc-gb.org

Equal Opportunities Commission

General advice about issues relating to sex discrimination
Tel: 0845 601 5901
e-mail:info@eoc.org.uk

Family Fund Trust / After 16

Information and grants for young people with an impairment or disability. Also helps families of disabled and seriously ill children under the age of 16. Things covered include careers, money, housing and transport.
Tel: 0845 130 45 42 (if you need an interpreter, call this line and say which language you require - the Family Fund will arrange an interpreter for you)
Minicom: 01902 658085
e-mail:info@familyfund.org.uk
See www.familyfundtrust.org.uk for pre-16 information or www.after16.org.uk for post-16 information

Home Office

Advice on keeping safe and avoiding becoming a victim of crime (the site is aimed at university students, but has plenty of useful tips for everyone)

Immigration Advisory Service

For information and advice on immigration, asylum and nationality issues
Tel: 0121 606 3587 (Birmingham Office Telephone Advice Line)

Local Democracy Campaign

A campaign to make councils more relevant and useful to young people, and to encourage young people to 'take part take power.'

Refugee Legal Centre

legal advice and representation for those seeking protection under international and national Human Rights Asylum law'
Tel: 020 7780 3220

RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind)

Confidential support and advice for people with sight problems
Tel: 0845 766 9999 (interpreters can be arranged for most languages)
Minicom: 0845 585691
e-mail:helpline@rnib.org.uk

RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf)

Confidential support and information for people with hearing difficulties (see also 'Local' in this section for your nearest office)
Tel: 0808 808 0123 (freephone)
Textphone: 0808 808 9000 (freephone)
Typetalk: for more information on the Typetalk service, call freephone 0800 500 888 (textphone), 0800 7311 888 (voice) or visit the Typetalk website at www.rnid-typetalk.org.uk
e-mail:informationline@rnid.org.uk

SKILL - support for students with disabilities

Provides a free information and advice service for disabled people and the people who work with them, via a freephone helpline, e-mail and the website. A range of information booklets are available from the website.
Tel: Freephone on 0800 328 5050 (available Mon-Thu PM only)
Minicom: 0800 068 2422
e-mail:info@skill.org.uk

Stonewall

Campaigns for equal rights for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals and offers information, advice and support
e-mail:info@stonewall.org.uk

Terence Higgins Trust

(see also 'Local' in this section for your nearest office)
AIDS charity offering help, advice and support to those affected by HIV and Aids
Tel: 0845 12 21 200

The Gender Trust

Information, help and advice for transgendered people
Tel: 07000 790347

Trades Union Congress

Information on a range of work-related issues, including employment rights, pay, health and safety and discrimination
Tel: 0870 600 4882 (this is the number for the TUC's 'Know Your Rights' line)

Youth Access

Information service providing contacts for counselling and advice services in your area
Tel: 020 8772 9900

Local

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Confidential advice on a range of issues

Many CAB offices offer advice in different languages. One has been listed for each borough, but check if there is an office closer to you. Look on the website and select 'Find your local CAB'.

Dudley: 01384 816081
Sandwell (West Bromwich): 0121 533 4423; Minicom: 0121 580 2783
Walsall: Tel: 01922 700600; Minicom: 01922 615292
Wolverhampton: 01902 572201

OutCentral

Support and information for gay and bi-sexual young people aged 14-25
Tel: 07849 602623
e-mail:maypolelgbyouth@hotmail.com

Race Equality Council

Works to promote racial equality

Dudley: 01384 456166; Web: www.rewm.org/recdud.htm

Sandwell: 0121 541 1775 www.raceequalitysandwell.com

Walsall: 01922 654704/0192 654705; Web: www.rewm.org/recwals.htm