Additional support and helplines ================================ There is a wide range of groups and services in Devon that can offer social care support to people with a disability. Many groups can be found on directories listed below: - [Devon Connect](https://devonconnect.org/) - [Devon Services](https://www.devonservices.org.uk/) - [ABLEize](http://www.ableize.com/Disabled-Groups-and-Clubs-by-County/Devon/) You can also find many support services and advice on the following websites: - [Disability Together](https://disabilitytogether.org.uk/) – support for people with disabilities or an impairment in Devon - [Scope](https://www.scope.org.uk/) – a national charity that supports people with a disability or impairment - [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities) – central government’s website that provides information and advice - [The Disabilities Trust](http://www.thedtgroup.org/) – a national charity that supports people with brain injuries, physical disabilities or Autism - [Devon Partnership Trust (DPT)](https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/our-services/learning-disability) – information and advice for those supporting or people with a learning disability - [British Institute for Learning Disabilities (BILD)](http://www.bild.org.uk/) – useful information, resources and advice for people with a learning disability - [Mencap](https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support) – advice and support for people with a learning disability Helplines --------- If you live in the Devon area then you can contact Adult Social Care on [0345 155 1007](tel:03451551007) (Monday to Thursday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Friday 9.00 am to 4:00 pm) to discuss your needs. ### Self-help tool Our [self-help tool](https://www.devon.gov.uk/adult-social-care/finding-help-information-and-support/) can also direct you to information, advice, and services that could help you to live independently and improve your life. It can also inform you if you need a self-assessment to get further support from adult social care teams. If you live in the Torbay area, contact the Torbay Disability Information Service on [0300 456 8373](tel:03004568373). If you live in Plymouth then try searching for support service on the [Plymouth POD directory](https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/). - [Disabilities benefits helpline](https://www.gov.uk/disability-benefits-helpline) - [Personal budgets](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-budgets-helpline) public helpline - [Disabled students](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/disabled-students-helpline) public helpline - [Welfare rights helpline](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/member-member-organisations-welfare-rights-advice-service) for[ member organisations](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/membership/member-organisations) - [Equality Advisory Support Service](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/equality-advisory-support-service) (EASS), for disabled people who feel they may have been discriminated against - [Mencap Direct](https://www.mencap.org.uk/mencap-direct) – Helpline for people with learning disabilities Find more helplines and support services on the [SupportLine website](https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/disability/). Disability rights ----------------- As a person with a disability or impairment, knowing your rights can protect you from discrimination in many areas of your life. - [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person) – Disabled people’s rights in everyday life - [Disability Rights](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help) – A website dedicated to the rights of people with disabilities or impairments If you are on X (Twitter) you can follow the conversation about disability rights: @DisRightsUK To understand your rights as an employee, the [WorkSmart](https://worksmart.org.uk/) website has signposting to lots of useful resources. Other useful resources ---------------------- - [Calculating the National Minimum wage](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/calculating-the-minimum-wage) - Factsheets on[ education](http://disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/benefits-information/factsheets/education-factsheets) and [work support](http://disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/benefits-information/factsheets/work-related-factsheets) - [Student FAQs](http://disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/individuals/education/frequently-asked-questions-students) - [Disability Rights Handbook](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/shop) - [Disabled student helpline](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/disabled-students-helpline) Online news and communities --------------------------- There are many online news, magazine and community websites where you can find the latest updates, conversations or information for people with a disability or impairment. Below is a list of some of those services that may be of interest: The [British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD)](http://www.bild.org.uk/resources/ageingwell/) has a range of resources, covering topics such as staying active, health and wellbeing and dementia. **Dedicated news and magazine websites** ---------------------------------------- - [Disability Talk](https://disabilitytalk.co.uk) - [Disability News Service](https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/) - [Learning Disability Today](https://www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/) - [PosAbility Magazine ](http://posabilitymagazine.co.uk/) - [Disability Today](http://www.disabilitytoday.co.uk/) **Online peer/ communities support** ------------------------------------ - [Mencap FamilyHub](https://www.mencap.org.uk/familyhub) - [You’re Able](http://www.youreable.com/) - [Scope](https://community.scope.org.uk/) Getting our support ------------------- To help identify where you can maximise your independence, try our [self-help tool](https://www.devon.gov.uk/adult-social-care/self-help/find-help-and-support-solutions-for-you/) which is designed to offer suggestions and details of the type of support that can be found in Devon. The self-help tool will also help to highlight if a further care needs assessment would be appropriate. Care needs assessments ---------------------- If you have more complex needs then you might need a more detailed discussion about the help you need. This could happen over the phone or face-to-face. You may also be offered an [assessment of your care and support needs and your eligibility for support](https://www.devon.gov.uk/adult-social-care/assessments/care-support-needs-assessments/). More information can be found on our [Getting our support](https://www.devon.gov.uk/adult-social-care/adults/getting-our-support/) page.