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Disability

CMT is a condition that can cause a disability, but there is no reason, with the proper information and support, that anyone with CMT shouldn’t lead an active, independent and happy life.  To assist you in doing just that there is a raft of information, support and benefits available.

Pinning down all the right information and working out who to approach for what can be very time consuming and frustrating, but well worth the effort.  The best advice seems to be to start with a four-step approach:

Contact one of the many organisations that offer support and information and are run by people with disabilities.  They will be able to steer you through the maze of grants, information and benefits available, not to mention offer you a lot of peer support. 

1. Get in touch with your local citizens advice bureau.  Although the quality of individual offices varies enormously, they are a good place to find out about what is available to you locally.  Remember different authorities may offer very different support.
2. Contact your local social services department.  Although they can be slow in responding they are often wonderful and the gateway to most of the help, grants and support available from the state.
3. Call the Benefits Enquiry Line for Disabled People.  They will be able to give you advice on the ever changing landscape of benefits that may be available to you, or go to www.direct.gov.uk 

You will find more information on specific areas, such as employment and discrimination elsewhere on this site.

The best guide to finding out what is out there to support you is probably The Disability Rights Handbook, published by the Disability Alliance.  It costs £14 (if you're on benefits) and is updated yearly and is packed full of information and is available from here: http://www.disabilityalliance.org/drh36.htm

 

 

 

 

Date updated - 21/11/2011