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Scope’s online community
Share experiences, get disability advice and discuss the disability issues that matter to you.
Our online disability forum is a vibrant and supportive space for disabled people, parents and carers to get disability advice and information, and talk to people with similar experiences.Category List
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Expand for more options.Your views and opinions can help us to keep improving our services, support and campaigns. If you are interested in joining the research panel, please sign up on our website.
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Introduce yourself to the community, or welcome those who have just joined.
For whatever reason you’ve joined, welcome to Scope’s online community. Here you can tell the rest of the community a little about yourself, or if you’ve been here a while, do take a moment to welcome our newest members. -
171 discussions
909 replies
Most recent: Community Champion of the Month - March by Ami2301 on
April 2
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Community chat
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Chat with other disabled people.
Here you can chat with other disabled people about all things related to disability, from accessibility and attitudes, to issues that you are currently facing or changes and improvements you’d like to see. -
The place to chat and seek help for carers of disabled people and parents of disabled children.
If you need advice about caring for disabled children or adults, our online community can provide help and reassurance. Join one of our discussions on everything from childhood disability and development to home care, or start a new one to discuss your needs and concerns as a carer. -
Share your experiences of parenting as a disabled person and get advice from other disabled parents. Join an ongoing discussion below, or start a new one by clicking the 'New discussion' button. -
Pour yourself a brew and chat about anything.
Want to chat about something outside of our disability forum categories? Enter our virtual coffee lounge, and chat to other community members about anything and everything. -
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This is the place to post all events, surveys and opportunities relating to disability and related issues. -
Regularly updated blog posts on a wide variety of issues.
There are always key issues relating to disability worth talking about, and here you can read disability articles from disabled bloggers, professionals and people with a story to tell. If you’re interested in writing a guest post, contact Scope’s community team at [email protected]
271 discussions
3K replies
Most recent: What it is like to be trapped in a disabled, non-verbal body with a sharp mind by GizmoTiddles on
April 20
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Life can be difficult sometimes, and we see many of these stories here in the community. But there are also stories of hope, little moments that bring a smile to your face and lift your spirits. This is the place for those stories, and we hope that you will share with the community your successes, your positive slants and any other reasons that you have found to be cheerful.
140 discussions
665 replies
Most recent: Reasons to be cheerful.......... by CockneyRebel on
April 14
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Disability benefits
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Get advice and tips on ESA benefits.
Do you have questions about Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)? Ask our community by starting a new discussion, or join an existing one below. -
Advice on all issues relating to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA).
Applying for PIP for the first time, or in the process of transferring from DLA? Need advice prior to attending your PIP assessment, or for appealing against the result of a recent PIP claim? Many of our community members have gone through the process already and can help you navigate your way through the system. -
Universal Credit is replacing the current system of earnings replacement means-tested benefits and tax credits. You can ask questions and discuss Universal Credit here - such as the eligibility, how to claim and the interview process.
508 discussions
3.4K replies
Most recent: Living with someone when on universal credit by poppy123456 on
1:38PM
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If you’re not sure what benefits you or someone you care for is entitled to, start here.
PIP, DLA, ESA, carer’s allowance... disability benefits can seem very confusing when you first approach them. If you’re not sure what you’re entitled to, Scope’s benefits calculator is a good place to start. If you’re still not sure, start a discussion to get advice from people who’ve been there. -
Practical support and information
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Talk to other disabled people about everything and anything related to dating and relationships. Join in an ongoing conversation or start your own by clicking the 'new discussion' button. -
Share experiences and tips relating to chronic pain with people in a similar situation. -
Get advice and discuss issues on everything from wheelchairs and mobility scooters to AFOs, hearing aids and screen readers.
Today there are a great variety of assistive technologies available to help disabled people go about their everyday lives. If you’ve got a question or concern about mobility aids, disability equipment, accessibility software or anything else, the community may be able to help. -
Ask the community about schools, further education and learning for disabled children.
Take a look at some of our community discussions on learning, schools, special educational needs (SEN), educational health and care plans (EHC) and more. If you’ve got any questions or views on related issues like SENCO co-ordinators or educational psychologists, go ahead and post a new discussion.
325 discussions
1.2K replies
Most recent: I am looking for a training course by vysvader on
April 16
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Work With Me is our new campaign to tackle the barriers disabled people all too often face when trying to get into and stay in work. Find more information at www.scope.org.uk/WorkWithMe. Use this category to talk about anything from pre-employment and finding work, to employment issues once you are in work. -
There are many hidden costs of disability. Share your top tips for cutting costs, or have a chat about managing your finances, and our community members will offer their advice. -
Your questions about disability housing and accessible housing issues.
The place to discuss disability housing, housing benefits for disabled people and independent living issues. Share your experiences, discuss accessible housing needs or ask the community for advice. -
Diet and Nutrition is something we all think about, though we can't offer medical advice you can chat about your issues and tips here.
71 discussions
328 replies
Most recent: Weigh gain on meds and unable to shift it by calamity on
March 20
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Join our discussions on leisure activities and disability sports, or create a new discussion and tell us what activities you enjoy.
149 discussions
545 replies
Most recent: Will I lose PIP if I go to the gym? by CockneyRebel on
April 8
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Get advice and tips on motability and blue badges
Do you have questions about motability? Are you looking for advice about blue badges and cars as a disabled person? Ask our community by starting a new discussion, or join an existing one below. -
Talk about specific conditions
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Explore our Autism and Aspergers forum
Start a new discussion relating to autism or Aspergers or take a look at the posts below on autism diagnosis, support and related issues. -
Whatever stage of life you or your child are in, Scope’s community can provide support and advice on cerebral palsy.
Providing information and support to people with cerebral palsy (CP) is an important part of Scope’s heritage. Today you can find a wealth of information about cerebral palsy on our website, and share and discuss your experiences and issues here on our online community.
658 discussions
3.6K replies
Most recent: Newly diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy by larissas on
April 20
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Not all impairments can be seen, but they are often experienced with no less severity than those that are more readily visible. This is a space to talk to others about your experiences and challenges of having an invisible or hidden impairment. -
Get advice and support on issues relating to learning difficulties.
Whether you, your child or another family member has a learning difficulty, Scope’s community is here to offer advice on specific learning difficulties and all issues relating to adults and children with learning difficulties. -
If you have an ongoing mental health disorder or are currently experiencing mental health issues, here you can chat and seek advice from the community.
Any advice given here should not be seen as professional advice or as a substitute for professional evaluation and care. Mental health charity Mind have a wide range of resources and can advise you on seeking help.
If you are feeling suicidal, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. -
Advice and support for neurological conditions
Ask our community about issues relating to neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Share your experiences and get support from others in similar situations.
140 discussions
779 replies
Most recent: Anyone with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia? by Rebecca_de_Winter on
April 16
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Talk to others with physical impairments and mobility issues.
Share your experiences of physical disability and related mobility issues, or ask for advice from people in a similar situation to you. -
If you have an undiagnosed or rare condition, this is the place where you can get advice, chat and share experiences with people in a similar position. -
Connect with others and get advice on visual impairments and hearing impairments
The place to seek advice regarding sensory impairments, or share your experiences of visual impairment, blindness, hearing loss and deafness.
130 discussions
593 replies
Most recent: would be nice to get to know you all by Adrian_Scope on
April 17
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Talk to a community advisor
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Hi I'm Richard. I live with Cerebral Palsy (Spastic Quadriplegia) and I use a wheelchair. I am passionate about equal rights for people with impairments to access education and the workplace.
31 discussions
165 replies
Most recent: My experience with Mild CP, and also need answers and similar stories. by Richard_Scope on
March 25
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Navigate provides one-to-one online and telephone support to parents who have a child going through diagnosis, or whose child has received a diagnosis of a disability, or acquired an impairment within the last 12 months. Navigate advisers will work with parents for six weeks, giving emotional and practical support, as parents start their journey as a parent of a disabled child. Welcome to our advisors Sara, Kate, Emma, Matt, Beverley, Felicity, Tom and Jenna.
3 discussions
18 replies
Most recent: My little girl has something called SB - a birth defect of the spin by Kate_Scope on
March 4
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Hello we are Sparkle Sheffield - we are a charity who support children and young people with autism as well as their families. Ask us anything related to living with autism, diagnosis, education, siblings and family life with autism. -
Hello everyone, Scope's Head of Assistive Solutions and Regional Assistive Solutionist Andy and Ryan are here to help you with all your Assistive Technology questions. -
Hello I'm Claire - I am a mum to 3 young adults and we have hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic condition which affects the connective tissue. My first major back surgery, aged 21, left me with permanent nerve damage and chronic pain. I was forced to stop nursing due to my health so I started writing about living with chronic pain. Blogging along with a spinal cord stimulator & meds, helps me cope and I'd like to support you too. Ask me anything related to living with chronic pain. -
University can be a scary thought for the majority of students and disabled students can prepare for the realities of higher education if they are given realistic information. Ask our disabled student advisor your questions today. -
Support to Work offers advice to disabled people applying for jobs. This is a digital employment service supported with telephone or Skype. Find more information at https://www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork/ You can ask our employment advisors questions about anything from pre-employment, finding work to employment issues once you are in work. Welcome to our employment advisors Mwila, Donisha, Pia and Zaid, Ren and Isaac -
Jean Merrilees is an Independent Occupational Therapist, registered with the HCPC. She previously worked for Scope’s Information Service for 25 years, so has a wealth of experience in answering disability related queries. She welcomes questions about how to overcome barriers that hinder disabled people being able to do the things they need or want to do. Jean is only able to check for posts once a week so apologises in advance if there is a delay in responding. -
I'm Kelly - blogger, Virtual Assistant and home educating mother of two. My six-year old daughter is autistic and goes to a special school, my 11-year old son is home educated. We have plenty of experience of autism, sensory processing issues, anxiety, mental health issues, home educating, EHCP process, autism diagnosis process, child care (I used to be an Early Years manager) and all the parenting things in between! Ask me anything you need to know about special needs and parenting now!
58 discussions
283 replies
Most recent: Why isn’t there more help and support out there? by Topkitten on
April 12
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Hi, I'm Gill. I'm a personal, social and health education therapist at a specialist college near Birmingham for young people with complex disabilities. In my role there I deliver sex and relationship education sessions as well as 1:1 support. Ask me a question about anything related to body changes, staying safe, what resources are out there or anything else. -
Hello everyone, my name is Nicola. I am a children’s speech and language therapist, and deal with a range of issues from simple lisps to complex needs. I am head of The Owl Centre, which provides multidisciplinary therapy services for children across 19 counties in England and South Wales. If you need information and support on speech and language development, social communication issues, or behavioural difficulties, just ask me a question and I’d be very happy to help.
77 discussions
307 replies
Most recent: Speech and language for 2 year old with CP? by Richard_Scope on
March 11
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Question and answer sessions with guest advisors on a wide range of subjects.