Access links, disabled people's organisations - Manchester Disabled People's Access Group (MDPAG)

What we do	Our approach	Access standards	Design & Access Statements	Publications
Accessible Manchester	Access links	Campaigns	Contact us	Who we are

Links

Access standards & guidelines

Disabled people's organisations (Manchester)

Disabled people's organisations (national)

Information & IT

Buildings, environment

Internet, ICT & information

Buildings, environment, facilities, products

AbilityNet - advice, factsheets, products & links for disabled people & others on using technology
Adobe Acrobat - access information for using their software
Betsie - filter program used by the BBC to create an automatic text-only version of its website. This site contains full information about Betsie as well as pointers to accessible sites and resources across the web
CHANGE Picture Bank & CHANGE Health Picture Bank - general & specific picture banks and other resources
Colour Blindness & Link Colours - information about use of colours and colour contrast
Colorblind Web Page Filter - tools for checking colour contrast & other elements
IBM Web accessibility checklist - checklists for websites & web applications
NetMechanic web accessibility resource center - mainly for web designers
Online conversion tools for Adobe PDF documents - for converting PDF documents by web-based form to HTML or by email
Plain English Campaign - fighting for easy to read public information
A Review of Free, Online Accessibility Tools - useful links & comments, part of a wider resource on accessibility on the web
RNIB Web Access Centre - UK resource with good links & resources on all aspects of accessibility & technology
SymbolWorld - free symbols available for use
Tech Dis - technology for disabilities information service, a JISC service aimed at enhancing access for those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, to learning and teaching, research and administration across higher and further education through the use of information and communication technologies
UsableNet - advice, tools & software for accessibility
Using symbols - helpful information on use of symbols & symbol sets available, from FERL
Web Accessibility Initiative - key international links to web access resources, standards & advice
WebEXACT - online check for accessibility, needs additional manual checks also
Widgit - copyrighted symbols to buy, also information & guidelines

See also our Access standards page

Access for Disabled People - consultation papers, guidance, links from the Department for Transport
Access to the built heritage - research from Scotland from 1996, but useful checklist of other aspects to accessing historic buildings
Adaptive Environments - resources & events from US organisations
Centre for Accessible Environments - information, training & consultancy, site has design sheets online, based upon existing government regulations
Disability Access Provisions for Historic Buildings - article updated for 2004, with additional references
Disability Rights Commission - advice, case studies, codes of practice, legislation
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee - provides information & guidance on transport related issues
Design Council - Inclusive Design - case studies, currently covering packaging, product, communication, environmental, furniture design, with suggested projects for schools, but usually not a cross-impairment approach, problematic use of terminology & simulations, also lack of learning objectives making these suggestions of limited use.
English Heritage - English Heritage Access policy & Accessibility Guide, both online, with assessments of services & facilities at their properties, in the Policy section of their website
EQUAL Research Network - UK-wide EPSRC funded network for extending the quality of life of older people & disabled people, includes project information, posters & photos, workshop presentations, membership of network free
JMU Access Partnership - advice & publications
National Register of Access Consultants - lists of access auditors & consultants, not all are registered with or listed by this organisation
Sensory Trust - supporting good practice in urban and extra-urban greenspace design & management
SURFACE (Salford University, Research Focus on Accessible Environments) - details of research projects, including feasibility study into creating accessible environments within the briefing process, currently involved in developing a 'Best Practice' approach for designing accessible environments, email discussion group, details of qualifications in accessibility & inclusive design, recent presentations on access

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Disabled people's organisations (Manchester)

Disabled people's organisations & resources (national)

These are organisations which have websites. For information on other organisations, contact us at admin@mdpag.org.uk or at info@dpnsg.org.uk

Body Positive North West - providing services to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the North West
Breakthrough-UK - North West based organisation providing training, employment and business opportunities to disabled people within the social model of disability, also online publications & good links
Community Network for Manchester - including information on the Disabled People's Network, Guidelines for Accessible Meetings and Events, accessibility policies, news on the Community Network, the Manchester Local Strategic Partnership, networks, links to member organisations, meetings & minutes, Community Chest and Community Learning Chest information
Disabled People's Network, Manchester - a network of organisations of disabled people in Manchester.
Dyspraxia Adults' Action - raising awareness, providing information & self-help, working in partnership with other agencies
FAST (First Asian Support Trust) - providing information, services & self-help
Full Circle Arts - disabled people's organisation in Manchester, includes information on projects, access, disability equality, artist search facility, links
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People - disabled people's organisation operating in Greater Manchester, includes Young Disabled People's Forum, Archive and history projects, Information Bulletin and quarterly "Coalition" magazine
Hearing Voices Network - organisation of disabled people offering information, support & understanding to people who hear voices & those who support them, also publications, events, information & links, including more information on Manchester Support Group
Manchester Deaf Centre - organisation of disabled people, providing interpreters & communication support, BSL & deaf awareness courses, advice, support & events
Manchester Environmental Group of Blind & Partially Sighted People - dealing with mobility, service provision & access to information, includes newsletters and a "character font project" identifying Tiresias as the most popular font
Manchester People First - self-advocacy group of learning disabled people
North West Disability Arts Forum - including news, information, events, projects, venues & links
Touchdown Dance - providing dance workshops

Not all of these organisations are run by disabled people

Access Group Resources - information and networking website for local access groups, 2007
Alliance for Inclusive Education - activities & events around inclusive education
BCODP (British Council of Disabled People) - umbrella organisation for many disabled people's organisations
British Deaf Association - run by Deaf people, for Deaf people
Centre for Disability Studies, University of Leeds - key papers on a wide range of disability issues and links
Crip-stirring Culture - articles, campaigns, haiku, poetry, songs, cartoons, links
Deaf Liberation Front - campaigns for the rights of Deaf people, including taking Direct Action
DIAL UK - a national organisation for a network of 140 local disability information and advice services run by and for disabled people
Disabled Parents Network - includes news, factsheets & advice
Disability Alliance - source of information on benefits issues, not run by disabled people & generally takes a government position on policy
Disability Awareness in Action - international human rights network, run for and by disabled people, includes previous editions of Disability Tribune and background on the social model, also information on rights, biotechnology, news & other issues
Disability Equality in Education - provides training, consultancy, resources & links to promote inclusive education
Disability History - database of primary source material on Disability Activism & Self-Organisation in the UK from its start in the late 60's to the present day
Disability Rights Commission - information on legislation, rights, disability equality duty and schemes, codes of practice, court cases & other resources related to the Disability Discrimination Act
Disability Sport England - not run by disabled people
Inclusive Education & Equality Research Centre - at the University of Sheffield
Independent Living Institute - international organisation
SKILL - resources for disabled people on education issues, post-16 & adult
Mental Magazine - campaigning for good health & social care, including news, articles, discussion forum
National Centre for Independent Living - UK resource on independent living & Direct Payments for disabled people & others working in the field, includes information on local support schemes & social services departments, also a PA employers kit
National Disability Arts Forum - projects including arts venues & access details, educational resource pack for schools & colleges (14 - 19), news, international exchange, digital exhibition, information for & on artists, links & more
National Federation of Shopmobility - directory of national shopmobility schemes
People First - organisation run by and for people with learning difficulties, provides information, factsheets & publications
Red Disability
RNIB - Royal National Institute for Blind People
RNID - Royal National Institute for Deaf People
UK Disability Forum for European Affairs (UKDFfEA) Women's Committee - national organisation of disabled women in the United Kingdom (UK), site includes news and information, resources, links, email list
Youreable.com - commercial site for disabled people and services

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last updated 4.1.08