Raising a child with a disability or special needs often involves significant additional costs, from essential mobility equipment and therapies to sensory items and educational tools. For families in the United Kingdom seeking financial assistance, a variety of organisations offer grants, equipment schemes, and support services. This article outlines key resources and programmes available to UK families, focusing on verified information from official charitable sources.
Understanding the distinction between "disability" and "special needs" is important. As noted in one source, "special needs" is an education term, while "disability" is a physical or cultural term. Some individuals may have a disability without special needs, and others may have special needs without a disability. The resources below cater to a range of conditions and requirements.
Charitable Grants for Essential Equipment and Support
Several UK charities provide grants to help families cover the costs of necessary equipment and services for their disabled children. These grants are typically non-repayable and are assessed based on the child's needs and the family's financial situation.
Fashion and Textile Children's Trust (FTCT)
The FTCT offers grants specifically for children whose parents or guardians have worked in the UK fashion and textile industry. This is a key eligibility criterion that must be met.
- Eligibility: To apply for a grant, you must have worked for an eligible UK fashion or textile employer for at least one year within the last nine years. Proof of this employment, such as payslips or tax documents, is required at the application stage. If you have never worked in this sector, the FTCT states they are not the right charity for you.
- What the Grants Fund: FTCT grants can help with mobility equipment, physiotherapies, sensory items, and other essential items. Grants can also fund essential items for other children in the family, such as clothing and bedroom furniture. The grants do not need to be repaid.
- Application Process: The process begins with an online enquiry form. Applicants will be asked to provide a recent bank statement to show household income and expenditure, as well as details of child benefit and all other benefits the family receives. The turnaround time for a grant is approximately four weeks once all required forms and documents have been received.
- Disability Diagnosis: A formal diagnosis from an NHS healthcare professional is required before applying for specialist equipment. The FTCT cannot grant funds for equipment for children with undiagnosed disabilities.
Variety, the Children's Charity
Variety provides equipment grants for disabled children and young people. The application process is managed through an online system.
- Application Process: Families can submit an application at any time. The process starts with an online eligibility check, after which a user account can be created. This account allows for the completion of the online application form in stages and communication with Variety throughout the process.
- Required Documentation: As part of the application, several documents must be uploaded:
- A letter of support from a relevant healthcare professional (e.g., an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or doctor).
- A quote for the equipment from a supplier (sometimes two quotes are needed).
- Proof of residency.
- Proof that the family meets Variety's financial requirements.
- Assessment and Delivery: Each application is assessed individually, considering the family's financial situation, how often the equipment will be used, maintenance costs, storage safety, and the impact on the child. If approved, Variety seeks sponsorship and liaises directly with the supplier to arrange delivery of the equipment. Variety does not make cash grants.
Specific Equipment and Technology Support
Beyond general grants, some organisations focus on providing specific types of equipment, such as adaptive bikes or technology aids.
Bikes and Adaptive Equipment
Obtaining adaptive bikes can be challenging due to cost and availability. Several resources are available to help families:
- Friendship Circle's Blog: This source provides a comprehensive list of places to turn to for an adaptive bike. Families are advised to scroll through the post to find relevant information.
- Gifts from the Heart for Down’s: This organisation funds items for children with Down syndrome, including bikes and iPads. However, applications were listed as full as of December 16th in the source data, with a suggestion to bookmark the page and check back later for availability.
iPads and Technology
Technology can be a vital tool for children with disabilities, and several programmes exist to provide access to devices like iPads.
- Danny’s Wish: This foundation awards iPads to children with Autism. Applications are open from September to December 31st each year, with iPads distributed in April.
- iPad Loan Programmes: Organisations like the Center for Accessible Technology offer loan programmes. These allow families to try out an iPad and various apps to determine if it is a suitable fit for their child before making a purchase. They may also provide guidance on which applications could be helpful.
Financial Planning Resources
Long-term financial planning is crucial for families with a disabled child. Several free resources are available to help with understanding benefits, accounts, and planning tools.
- ABLE Accounts: These are special savings accounts that allow individuals with disabilities to save money without affecting their eligibility for certain government benefits. The source material mentions the importance of understanding these accounts.
- The Red Book: This is Social Security’s annual book on benefits. A PDF version is available online and provides detailed information on available benefits.
- Disability Benefits 101: This resource offers tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits. While not all states have the calculator feature, the World Institute on Disability provides other books and resources on financial planning and benefits.
Travel and Leisure Discounts
Families can access free or discounted passes for travel and leisure activities, which can provide valuable respite and recreational opportunities.
- National Park Service: A free lifetime pass to US national parks is available, though there are specific requirements and stipulations to review on the application.
- State Park Service: State parks offer disability discounts. Applicants should look up their specific state for more information and the relevant application form.
- Disney Disability Pass: This pass is designed to assist families with a child or adult with a disability. The source notes that the pass has changed due to past abuse but remains a helpful resource.
Other Support Services
Additional support is available for transportation, medical needs, and educational resources.
- Transport: Organisations like Angel Flight provide free air transportation for legitimate, charitable, medically related needs. The First Hand Foundation offers support for gas money, parking, and other transportation costs related to a child's care.
- Medical and Care Support: ACT Today! helps families with a child on the Autism Spectrum with care and treatment. The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism aims to help families "live life to the fullest."
- Educational and Library Resources: For children with visual or physical handicaps, the National Library Service provides a free library programme of braille and audio materials circulated by postage-free mail. Bookshare offers an accessible online library for people with print disabilities, and Learning Ally provides audio books and learning tools.
Scholarships and Dream Wishes
For longer-term educational goals and wish-fulfilling experiences, certain organisations offer specific programmes.
- Scholarships: Ruby’s Rainbow provides scholarships for people with Intellectual Disabilities to attend higher education. JLV Counseling’s Clearinghouse of Scholarships for People with Disabilities offers a comprehensive, categorised list of scholarships available.
- Dream Wishes: Several foundations fulfill dreams for children with disabilities. Dream Factory grants dream wishes for children with various disabilities. Make-A-Wish is for children with a life-threatening condition, aged 2.5 to 18. The Sunshine Foundation and Children’s Wish Foundation International also grant dream wishes. Challenge Air offers a unique experience where a child with a disability can learn to fly a plane.
Conclusion
A range of support exists in the UK for families raising disabled children, from charitable grants for essential equipment to specific programmes for technology, travel, and educational scholarships. Key organisations include the Fashion and Textile Children's Trust (FTCT) for those with a background in the industry, and Variety for equipment grants. Families are encouraged to research eligibility criteria carefully, as many programmes have specific requirements, such as a formal NHS diagnosis, proof of residency, or financial assessments. Utilising these resources can help alleviate the financial strain associated with raising a child with additional needs.