Physical Disability

What is a Physical Disability?

There are approximately 15,713 people between the ages of 18 to 64 living with some form of physical disability in Hull.

This can range from someone who may only require a minimum amount of support and assistance to someone who may require further specialised support. Depending on your specific circumstance will determine what assistance you may need to help you live independently.

You may think of someone with a physical disability as someone who is confined to a wheelchair. This however is untrue and while there are people who are wheelchair users, they are also people with physical disabilities who don’t.

You may have more than one physical condition. Additionally, a particular condition might be disabling to one person but not the next. The key aspect in defining physical disability is not whether you have a specific condition; it is how that physical condition affects your daily life.

Physical disabilities can be the result of congenital birth issues, accidental injury or illness. If you would like to learn more about a specific disability or related condition, you can visit the NHS website which has an A-Z list of conditions and disabilities.

Visit the NHS website here (Opens in a new window)

Equipment and Adaptations

You may find the use of equipment and adaptions can support you to be more independent, both in the home and when you are out and about. If you feel that you could benefit from equipment and adaptations, then you may want to access our equipment and adaptations page.

Go to our Equipment and adaptations page

One of the ways to get a wheelchair or rollator is through the NHS. To request either a new wheelchair or a short term loan of a wheelchair for medical reasons (for example illness or an accident), please contact your GP or hospital consultant. They will make a referral for an assessment to the Services to the NRS

The following organisations also supply wheelchairs on short-term loans. Please contact them for details of any eligibility criteria and charging -

British Red Cross Society - telephone: 01482 499 830
Age UK - telephone: 01482 324 644
Hull Council for Disabled People - Telephone: 01482 326 140

Repairs, servicing or collection of wheelchairs

For repairs, servicing and collection of wheelchairs, please contact the NRS Hull and East Riding via –

email: enquiries@her.nrs-uk.net (Opens in a new window)
telephone 03448 936 375

in person –

Hull & East Riding NHS Wheelchair Service

Wheelchair Assessment Centre

11, Reed Street

Hull

HU2 8JJ

Please note NRS can only provide this service if the wheelchair was supplied by them. If you bought the chair privately, you are responsible for any repairs.

Here are some things that can help you to get out an about in Hull

Disability registration

If you have a known disability, and you haven’t already then you can register as a disabled person. You do not have to register, but it may help in getting concessions such as reduced fares for public transport.

Access to Hull City Council website to register disabled (Opens in a new window)

Mobility Scooter scheme

If you have mobility difficulties, you can hire a mobility scooter to help you get round Hull City Centre.

The scheme is located next door to Debenhams and the address is -

Hull Council for Disabled People on Ferensway

75 Ferensway

Hull

HU2 8LD

Alternatively, you can get in contact with the scheme by telephone on 01482 326 140

The Radar Scheme

The Radar scheme is a national initiative that provides users with a key which unlocks accessible toilets both locally and nationally. You can purchase a Radar key in Hull at your local library. A Radar key will cost you £2.50 if you can prove you have a recognised disability.

You can purchase a Radar key form the following libraries -

Avenues Library, 76 Chanterlands Avenue, Hull, HU5 3TS
Bransholme Library, Goodhart Road, Hull, HU7 4EF
Central Library, Albion Street, Hull, HU1 3TF
Fred Moore Library, Wold Road, Hull, HU5 5UN
Greenwood Library, 220 Greenwood Avenue, Hull, HU6 9RU
Ings Library, Savoy Road, Hull, HU8 0TY
Western Library, 254 Boulevard, Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 3ED

Alternatively, you can contact the Hull City Council by telephone 01482 300 300

Changing Places

The Changing Places Toilets are designed to support people who needs are not met by standard accessible toilets. A Changing Places toilet provides extra equipment and space to make it easier for you to use the facilities. There are a number of Changing Places toilets throughout Hull.

Search for a Changing places toilet here (Opens in a new window)

Leisure activities

Our getting out and about section has advice and information to help you stay active, participate in sport and get involved in a variety of cultural and leisure activities.

Access our Getting out and about section here

Community directory

Our community directory has lots of local and national support that can support you to live an independent life. Use the physical disability filter to find support organisations specifically for people who have a physical disability. The directory also has a list of local groups and activities taking place in and around Hull.

Access our Community directory

Our public and community transport section has lots of information around support available to help you get round the city

Go to our Transport section for more information

Blue badge scheme

If you are disabled or have a health condition that affects your mobility, you can apply for a Blue badge.
The Blue badge scheme helps people who have mobility difficulties to park closer to where they need to go such as shops, supermarkets, schools, places of work, hospitals etc.

You do not have to be able to drive to apply for a Blue Badge unless you are applying for problems with your arms. You can also apply for a badge if you care for a child with a health condition.

Apply for a Blue badge here (Opens in a new window)

There are a range of organisations that can support you to live independently, help with money and welfare benefits and support you into work and education.

Go to our Advice and Support section to find information and support on a range of topics

Go to our Employment section for careers and advice

Go to our Learning and training section for support in adult education

Go to our Money section for money management and welfare benefits

Scope

Scope provides free, independent and impartial information and support on the issues that matter to disabled people and their families.

Visit the Scope website here (Opens in a new window)

Alternatively, you can contact them via -

email: helpline@scope.org.uk (Opens in a new window)
telephone: 08088 003 333

The Disability Living Foundation

The Disability Living Foundation (DLF) is a national charity providing impartial advice, information and training on independent living since 1969. It is a founder member of the Information Standard, a certification scheme for health and social care information.

Access the DLF website here for more information (Opens in a new window)

Alternatively, you can contact them via -

email - info@dlf.org.uk (Opens in a new window)
telephone - 0207 2896 111 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Hull Choices and Rights

Hull Choices & Rights campaign on a wide variety of disability issues. They run and manage the Hull and East Riding Centre for Independent Living (CIL), providing information, advice and a range of services for disabled people, their families and service providers.

They provide consultancy and advice to other organisations in the voluntary, statutory and private sector, both locally and nationally.

Their disability Information service includes advice on any area of disability (with the exception of welfare benefits), and typical enquires request information on -

accessible holidays
the blue badge scheme
disabled people’s rights.

You can contact Choices and Rights by telephone on 01482 878 77 8

In person –

Jude Lodge

Tiverton House

10 Soffham Close

Hull

HU7 4DQ

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Last updated: 2018/10/15