Emotional and practical support

The below resources may be helpful to you if this research project brings back distressing memories or you realise you experienced discrimination or a hate crime during an encounter. These resources are for guidance only and the researchers cannot make any assurances about the support which may be received.

Emotional distress / mental health support

Samaritans – 24-hour helpline for anyone in emotional distress: https://www.samaritans.org/
Supportline – emotional support on any issue, including a helpline: https://www.supportline.org.uk/
Shout – support for people in acute mental distress via text message: https://giveusashout.org/get-help/
Mind – can provide advice on where to get mental health support near you: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Disability discrimination

·Citizens Advice on What Counts as Disability Discrimination: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/discrimination-because-of-disability/what-counts-as-disability-discrimination/
Equality Advisory Service – advice if you think you have been discriminated against: https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/app/help

Hate crime

Disability Hate Crime toolkit - developed by disabled people and academics, including advice on what is crime, staying safe, and ways of reporting: https://disabilityhatecrimetoolkit.wordpress.com/
Citizens Advice on support you can get if you think you have experienced a hate crime: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/hate-crime/what-are-hate-incidents-and-hate-crime/
Disability Rights UK on reporting disability hate crime: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/independent-living/stop-disability-hate-crime
Report It advice on reporting disability hate crime: https://www.report-it.org.uk/disability_hate_crime
Stop Hate UK with phone line and app for hate crime reporting (not available in all regions): https://www.stophateuk.org/report-hate-crime/
The Disability Hate Crime Network on Facebook (run by disabled people): https://www.facebook.com/groups/disabilityhatecrimenetwork
Victim Support – anonymous support and advice for victims of crime: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Crimestoppers – charity to report crimes anonymously: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

General Blue Badge advice

Citizen’s Advice on Using Your Blue Badge: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/using-your-blue-badge/
Disabled Motoring UK on Responsibilities and Use of a Blue Badge: https://www.disabledmotoring.org/blue-badge/blue-badge-reforms
Government search engine to find Blue Badge information from your local council: https://www.gov.uk/blue-badge-scheme-information-council