Radhika Holmstrom gives details of a few
There are many organisations that can give help on including disabled children in a mainstream nursery. We have not listed every single disability organisation, but focused instead on those that can provide practical assistance.
Disability Rights Commission
* Tel: 08457 622 633
* Fax: 08457 778 878
* Textphone: 08457 622 644
The DRC publishes a range of guides, which can be downloaded off the website, on schools' responsibilities under the DDA part 4. It also has information about specific responsibilities under DDA part 3, and on the DRC's response to the DfES draft guidance 'Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils'.
Royal National Institute for Deaf People
* 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
* Tel: 020 7296 8000
* Textphone: 020 7296 8001
* Fax: 020 7296 8199
* Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
The RNID produces publications for education professionals and local education authorities, in addition to its website (above).
The National Deaf Children's Society
* 15 Dufferin Street, London EC1Y 8UR
* Tel: 020 7490 8656
* Fax: 020 7251 5020
The NDCS is developing an early years version of its 'Deaf-friendly schools' guide for mainstream teachers, which already contains comprehensive advice for primary teachers.
Royal National Institute of the Blind
* 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE
* Tel: 020 7388 1266
* Fax: 020 7388 2034
RNIB produces publications for parents and professionals working with blind and partially sighted pre-school children. RNIB Education and Employment centres provide advice to staff working in mainstream schools and colleges and consultancy services to LEAs.
Scope
* 6 Market Road, London N7 9PW
* Tel: 0808 800 3333
* www.scope.org.uk/earlyyearsScope's national adviser for education can be contacted directly through its early years website's 'professionals' section.
Contact A Family
* 209-211 City Road, London EC1V 1JN
* Tel 020 7608 8700
* Fax 020 7608 8701
* Minicom 020 7608 8702
Contact A Family publishes straightforward guides to the legislation and Codes, principally intended for parents but giving a good summary for anyone involved in the process.
Network 81
* 1-7 Woodfield Terrace, Stansted, Essex CM24 8AJ
* Helpline: 0870 770 3306 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm)
* Fax: 0870 770 3263
Network 81 is a national network of parents working towards properly resourced inclusive education for children with special needs.
Kidsactive
* Pryors Bank, Bishop's Park, London SW6 3LA
* Tel: 020 7736 4443
Kidsactive's main focus is on inclusive play, but its 'Including Everybody'
training programme is designed for practitioners including nursery nurses and childminders.
The Alliance for Inclusive Education
* Unit 2, 70 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL
* Tel: 0207 735 5277
* Fax: 0207 735 3828
Parents for Inclusion
* Unit 2, 70 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL
* Helpline 020 7582 5008 (Tues, Wed, Thurs 10am to 12 pm and 1pm to 3 pm
Disability Equality in Education
* Unit 4Q, Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP
* Tel: 0207 354 3372
Disability Equality in Education is a small charity offering training and resources for schools, colleges and LEAs on the issue of inclusion for all students.
Children First
* Tel: 01772 452022
* Email: marion.bamford@ ed.lancscc.gov.uk
Children First, formerly known as Lancashire EYDCP, has a comprehensive manual (priced 20) providing a step-by-step guide to including children with special educational needs.
