Information for disabled young people

And if there's something you think we should add to this page that other disabled young people would find useful, please contact us (opens in a new window)

• Searching TooDoo
• Checking it out
• Funding and help with activities
• Derbyshire Youth Service
• Organisations for young disabled people

Searching TooDoo

On the homepage in the "I'm looking for" box, include the word 'disabled' or 'disability' in your search words.

You will then get a list of all those activities that have told us they welcome disabled young people.

The list will include special clubs only or mainly for disabled teens as well as activities for everyone which offer support to disabled people to take part.

You can narrow this list down by putting your postcode or the name of your hometown in the 'In and around' box.

You can also cut your results down by only searching one of the four main sections: things to do (opens in a new window), places to go (opens in a new window), someone to talk to (opens in a new window) or what's on (opens in a new window).

You will find that some activities have chosen to give more detail than others about things like accessibility and whether or not they can provide special equipment. We are working to get everyone who lists activities on TooDoo to give more information about their facilities for disabled teenagers.

And if you've already tried an activity don't forget to rate or review it.

Read more: general search tips. (opens in a new window)

Checking it out

Great, so you've found a new hobby or sport on TooDoo. The next step will be for you or your parent/carer to check it's suitable and safe for you ? as well as being fun of course!

Depending on the activity and your needs, here are some questions you might want to ask the person who organises the activity:

• Do your staff/volunteers have experience of working with young people with physical disabilities/learning difficulties/communication difficulties/autism?
• What sort of training have the staff/volunteers had?
• Are there any other disabled teenagers who attend the group?
• Is there anything you might need to know before I come?
• Is there access to ramps and/or disabled toilets? (if you need them)
• What sort of equipment is needed to take part in the activity and do I need it straightaway or can it be loaned at first?
• Are you a member of a national body (e.g. Scout Association or a sports governing body)? If they are, this usually means that they will have to work to child protection and high quality standards.
• If the organisation isn't part of a national body, do they have a child protection policy, an equal opportunities or inclusion policy and are their staff or volunteers CRB checked?

Funding and help with activities

If you are a disabled young person, did you know you may be able to get help to take part in activities?

You may have heard of 'Aiming High short breaks'. A short break can mean a stay away from home but for most disabled young people a short break is simply a fun, regular activity close to home - much like the activities you'll find here on the TooDoo website.

Aiming High may be able to help with:

• travel to the activity
• paying for the cost of the activity
• funding carers or sitters or arranging and paying for other support you might need to take part, such as special equipment or extra trained staff.

To find out if you qualify for help and to get answers to many other questions visit the Aiming High Short Breaks (opens in a new window) section of Derbyshire County Council's website.

You can contact the Aiming High short breaks team at Derbyshire County Council on 01629 538993 or email them on aiminghighdc@derbyshire.gov.uk

Derbyshire Youth Service

Derbyshire County Council' s Youth Service welcomes disabled young people to ALL its youth clubs to make new friends, chill and have fun. To find a council-run youth group near you simply put 'Derbyshire County Council' in the search box.

Groups specially for disabled young people:
Derbyshire County Council also runs 13 youth groups which are mainly for disabled young people. But you don't have to have a disability to take part, so you can bring a friend or a brother or sister if you like. Parents are very welcome to come too and have a look round. These special groups run in Alfreton, Heanor, Chapel, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Hadfield, Buxton, Darley Dale and Woodville. A full list of venues, opening times and contacts is available here as a PDF (opens in a new window).

Lots of activities take place at these clubs including arts, sport, trips out and music. You can get involved to plan the programme and have a say about activities in your area.

The joining age is 13 and membership usually ends at 19, but young people with disabilities can often stay with the club until the age of 25.

Organisations for young disabled people

Fairplay

Fairplay organises youth clubs and exciting projects especially for disabled young people and their parents and carers.

You can join a Fairplay group in Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Glossop and North East Derbyshire. Fairplay also organises activity days during the school holidays.

Fairplay is a charity that works in partnership with many agencies including Derbyshire County Council and other voluntary organisations.

For more information about Fairplay youth groups:

• Type 'Fairplay' into the search box on the TooDoo home page
• Visit their website: www.fair-play.co.uk (opens in a new window)
• Call Fairplay on 01246 203963.

Umbrella

Umbrella is a registered charity working to improve services for disabled children and their families living in southern Derbyshire - that's the areas of Derby City, Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash and South Derbyshire.

Umbrella supports projects and playschemes for disabled young people of all ages. They can also offer you specialised advice about activities.

To find out more about Umbrella you can:

• Call the Umbrella Information Office on 01332 785658
• Visit their website: www.umbrella.uk.net (opens in a new window)

Disability Direct - Enable

If you're between 16 and 25, have you heard of Disability Direct's Enable Project?

Enable works across Derby City and Derbyshire to help young disabled people find things to do. Trying new things can improve your confidence, develop your life skills, help you make new friends and become more independent.

Naomi Hope is the Young People's Worker. She will speak to you to find out what your interests and hobbies are and then look for an activity that sounds appealing.

This can be anything from trying a new sport, going to a concert, studying a course or becoming a volunteer.

Check out Enable's social networking website specifically for local young disabled people: www.thestuff.org.uk (opens in a new window) It has message boards where you can chat to others and share ideas and experiences.

You can contact Naomi Hope on 01332 299449 or email
naomi.hope@disabilitydirectderby.co.uk