Blue Badge
The Blue Badge Scheme is a national scheme allowing people who have severe mobility problems, who are registered blind and some people with non-visible (hidden) conditions to park near to places that they would not otherwise be able to access.
You must now apply online and there is a cost of £10.
Here’s the link to Dudley Council’s Blue Badge Scheme:
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men. Tel: 0800 58 58 58 – 4pm to midnight/365 days.
Disabled Person's Travel Pass
This is a concessionary travel pass for the majority of disabled people which allows free travel on buses, trams, trains. It also allows you to register on Ring and Ride although charges apply to use this service.
Please check website for more details:
Housebound/Home Library Service from DMBC
There′s a housebound/home library service that is for residents of Dudley Borough, who are confined to their own home and who do not have anyone to go to the local library for them. They also provide a service to people in residential homes and day centres.
For more information on this incredibly useful service:
Contact Rosemary Eccles - 01384 812870
NHS England Access to Information for Disabled Patients
NHS England have produced a standard that tells its organisations how they should ensure that disabled patients receive information in formats that they can understand and they receive appropriate support to help them to communicate.
The standards can be downloaded from the website: www.england.nhs.uk/accessibleinfo
Partially Sighted Society
The society produces a catalogue of helpful items, advice and wayfinding to other services. The society can be reached from 9 AM till 5 PM Monday to Friday on telephone number 0844 477 4966 or by e-mail to info@partsight.org.uk
Crisis Details
RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS
Black Country Emotional Support Helpline: 0808 802 2288
This free phone service is open 365 days a year and no referral is required. You must be aged 16+ and have lived in or be registered with a GP in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall or Wolverhampton. They can provide support to callers in distress, in need of reassurance or at times when people need to be listened to the most.
Rental Equipment
Equipment such as electric profiling beds, pressure relieving mattresses and hoists etc can be hired from Arjo Huntleigh.
Details of equipment that can be rented are available on their website:
or telephone them on 01582 745700 where you can also speak to a Nurse Practitioner regarding your requirements.
Ring and Ride
Do you have a life limiting condition, a disability or are pregnant or have a disabled child, or do you find it difficult to use public transport because of a mobility, sensory or health problem?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may be eligible to register for the Ring and Ride.
This is a pre-book door-to-door service that could make getting out and about easier. And, if you are registered, did you know that Ring and Ride can get you to the dentist, doctors, to get blood tests or to a podiatry appointment as well as to go visit family and friends, lunch clubs, bingo or shopping, in fact anywhere except for a hospital appointment?
Tel number: 03300538136
Crisis Details
The Samaritans: Tel: 116 123 24hours/365 days
TV Licence Concession for Blind or Severely Visually Impaired People
Applicants need to fill in an application form and provide one of either of the two following certificates to confirm that you are certified as either blind or severely sight impaired:
- a copy of the certificate or document issued by or on behalf of your local authority
- a copy of the certificate from your ophthalmologist
You can call for an application form on 0300 790 0366 or download the form from the following website:
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis
All of the below taxi services are wheelchair accessible and are able to carry 1 or in some cases 2 wheelchairs.
Willie Tonkas Taxis
Contact: 07543 209676
Wheelchair Services
Due to a recent influx of calls regarding Wheelchair Services in the Dudley area, we wanted to provide information of who provides the services and how best to contact those who can help you.
Wheelchair Services in Dudley have been contracted out to Ross Care since July 2017, and are responsible for the delivery, collection, maintenance and repair of all wheelchair equipment in the community.
The clinical assessments and handovers for wheelchairs and special seating are provided by Blatchford who have extensive knowledge providing clinical services across the UK and special seating clinics in over 30 wheelchair services.
For any queries about appointments or for advice on your wheelchair please contact the wheelchair assessment team on 01384 889 400 or DudleyWheelchairs@blatchford.co.uk
For repairs please call the Ross Care service centre on 01384 886 510.
You can contact the main Dudley Wheelchair Services hub at:
Dudley Wheelchair Service, 1 Hellier House, Wychbury Court, Two Woods Lane, Brierley Hill, DY5 1TA Tel: 01384 889 400 Fax: 01384 889 401