Charity: Darlington Association on Disability

Darlington Association on Disability is an organisation led by disabled people, which exists to promote independence and choice. DAD supports disabled people and carers through the provision of services, support and information and by tackling issues affecting disabled people both locally and nationally. DAD manages a range of services and projects to support its aims including: Access interest Group: The Access Interest Group brings disabled people together to improve access for disabled people by addressing barriers created by both the physical and attitudinal environment Advocacy: Provides support to people who use or need to use social care services and who experience barriers in putting their views across. Advocacy: Some people find it more difficult and face more barriers to have their voice heard when decisions are being made that affect their life. DAD Advocacy Project aims to remove these barriers, working in partnership with the person to ensure they are involved in the decisions happening in their lives and safeguarding the person’s rights throughout the process. DAD can provide independent, experienced, and skilled advocates to support people to ensure their voice is heard and their rights upheld. Also includes Hate Crime Advocacy Service:; we support victims of hate crime and people with mental health needs who have been a victim of any crime Children and Young People’s Service: A range of services for children, young people and their families including play and leisure services and a Young Leaders project Direct Payment Support Service: Support for disabled people to control their care needs by managing a payment from the local authority. Disability Equality Training: Promotion of the Social Model of Disability and the Equality Act Information and Advice: provides comprehensive and up to date disability information and advice to disabled people, carers, and members of the public. We also proved advice on Energy Saving and the Cost of Living Independent Living Hub: A disability initiative offering education, training, self-development skills, social and leisure opportunities Mentoring for Independence supports young people, aged 13 - 25 years old, to learn Independent Living Skills, through the transition of being a child, to becoming a young adult. Peoples Parliament: A self-advocacy group supported by DAD Volunteer Project: Recruitment and supporting volunteers across DAD.