Sources of Help and Advice

This page does not aim to give recommendations, simply information on possible sources of help and advice. Some sources may not apply to the whole of the UK.

Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline:

The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline includes disability discrimination under the DDA. There are different phone numbers for England, Wales and Scotland, or you can submit a web enquiry - see www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/Contactus.aspx#Helpline.

Amongst other things, the helpline may be able to send you information and tell you about local advice agencies which are likely to help.

For business - Equality Direct

Though this page is mainly aimed at individuals, I should mention also that there is a helpline specifically for businesses. This is Equality Direct, www.equalitydirect.org.uk, on 0845 600 3444. (The British Stammering Association below is also very happy to talk to businesses about stammering.)

British Stammering Association

The British Stammering Association has an Information and Support Service (www.stammering.org/helpline.html) which includes a local rate helpline on 0845 603 2001 as well as email. This does not offer legal advice but can:

ACAS

ACAS (www.acas.org.uk) can be approached on employment issues. They have a helpline giving free help and information on work issues, and can arrange for a conciliation officer to help settle a potential or actual tribunal claim.

In Northern Ireland the Labour Relations Agency (www.lra.org.uk) has a similar function.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

CABs can often help, or may tell you a local organisation who can help. The Citizens Advice Bureaux website at www.nacab.org.uk helps you find your local office, and their online "adviceguide" gives basic advice and information on your rights.

Law Centres

Law Centres provide free advice if you live or work in the catchment area. The Law Centres Federation website (www.lawcentres.org.uk) tells you about them and helps you find if there is one in your area.

Disability Law Service

Provides free legal advice and information for disabled people throughout Great Britain (except that advice on welfare benefits is restricted to people living in the Greater London area). www.dls.org.uk

Solicitors firms and legal aid

You can go to a solicitors firm. This can be a local firm, though you should check how far they have expertise in the area you want. You could try the CLS Legal Adviser Directory (external link) to find a solicitor or other advice provider near you with a particular expertise. Also Solicitors Online (external link) lets you search for solicitors by expertise.

Free legal advice, ie legal aid, is sometimes available through Community Legal Advice (www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk). There is a different scheme in Scotland.

One solicitors firm which seems to be active on behalf of individuals in areas covered by this website is Russell, Jones & Walker (www.rjw.co.uk). Their website includes a free online screening service called EqualityXpress. The firm has various offices round England and Wales.

Pro bono schemes

The Bar Pro Bono Unit (www.barprobono.org.uk) can put people in touch with barristers who are willing to advise or represent clients free in deserving cases.

Trades Unions

A trades union will very often have a free legal service for their members. This will typically cover work-related disputes but some unions cover any legal problem.

Court service disability helpline

For issues with courts (civil and criminal), try the Court Service Disability helpline on 0800 358 3506. This may help on such things as problems giving evidence, taking the oath with a stammer, and other things to do with the courts

Further sources

Further specific sources of help and advice on particular areas are given on the webpage covering that area (eg social security benefits).

Links to relevant websites are also available on specific webpages and generally on the links page.