About Us
Bradford Disability Services Limited, better known as Disability Advice Bradford (DaB) and Disability Equipment Bradford (DeB) is a long established and respected Registered . The organization was first established as The Bradford Voluntary Action Group for Disabled Persons in 1979 as a result of five disabled people coming together to press for their rights and to overcome the discrimination in many aspects of daily life that can affect the lives of disabled people. The ‘office’ was a room in one of the founder member’s houses.
Since then, the organization has evolved in the following ways:
The 1980s:
- A donation received from the Jubilee Trust that enabled and established a telephone and information service, which became known as DIAL (Disability Information and Advice Line) Bradford;
- Implementation of a bespoke transport service for disabled people secured a Building Grants Fund, which provided financial help in making premises more accessible for disabled people;
- Funding was secured to establish “Sheltered Workshops”, which were situated at our current premises in Dockfield Road, Shipley, and provided inclusive therapeutic and meaningful training and up-skilling in woodwork and textiles for people with disabilities and the unemployed;
- A Shop was established in Wibsey, which provided additional forms of income generation that supported the services delivered by DIAL Bradford;
- “Numeracy and Literacy” classes were introduced into the portfolio of services delivered
The 1990s:
- Various new funded programmes and services via the National Lottery;
- Bradford Metropolitan District Council introduced to support disabled people with regard to Welfare and Benefit Advice and Transport;
- The employment of dedicated workers and officers to support Asian communities with regard to disability;
- The 20th anniversary celebrations of the organization;
- Introduction of the Holiday Information Service supported by BMDC Social Services;
- Formation of the Asian Disability Network.
The 2000s:
- The premises on Dockfield Road were refurbished as a result of funding received from The National Lottery;
- A new Independent Living Centre (equipment demonstration centre) opened (Disability Equipment Bradford (DeB);
- DIAL Bradford changed its operational delivery name to “Disability Advice Bradford” incorporating “Disability Equipment Bradford”;
- “Gadget Road shows” were introduced, taking the Independent Living Centre out into the community enabling local people to access information, support and practical knowledge with regard to aids that support daily life;
- The following schemes were introduced: The Carers Holiday Scheme and the Disabled Persons’ Holiday and Recreation Scheme combined with a dedicated Signposting Scheme (referral programme).
Over the past three decades, Bradford Disability Services Limited has continued to move forward with the times, introducing new and much needed programmes and services that, in turn, add value and benefit to service users across the District, as a result of the changes in social policy, the economic climate and the ever increasing needs of the community that we serve.
Disability Advice Bradford is a valued member of the following infrastructure organizations:
- SCOPE / DIAL UK (National Advisory Group)
- Advice UK
- Advice Network & Training Partnership (ANTP – Bradford)
- Bradford Council for Voluntary Service.