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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. -
What can we do to make your community experience better? Here you will find all the useful information you'll need to use the community, be informed of any updates and have the chance to ask questions.
114 discussions
790 replies
Most recent: ATTENTION ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS COLD WEATHER AND SNOW SOME USEFUL GUIDENCE AND INFORMATION by pollyanna1052
February 24
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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.
1.7K discussions
19.3K replies
Most recent: What would you do with 1 million pounds? by April2018mom
February 24
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207 discussions
1.3K replies
Most recent: Emma Wiggs: 'If a disabled person comes out as gay, is that going to be an extra thing?" by Chloe_Scope
February 20
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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]
399 discussions
3.8K replies
Most recent: Using AccessAble to take the stress out of going out by Chloe_Scope
February 24
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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. -
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.
926 discussions
7.5K replies
Most recent: RE: Can anyone offer some clarity re Universal Credit - Limited capability for work by AndyCS
February 24
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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.
808 discussions
4.1K replies
Most recent: Can I claim any benefit. I have moderate hearing. by Chloe_Scope
February 13
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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. -
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.
261 discussions
1.4K replies
Most recent: Reasonable adjustments. It's all gone wrong, people don't understand. by janer1967
February 24
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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.
225 discussions
1.1K replies
Most recent: Advice for a newbie disabled person. by Chloe_Scope
February 19
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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.
74 discussions
352 replies
Most recent: Gout and best dietary requirements. by thespiceman
February 4
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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.
207 discussions
814 replies
Most recent: CEA Card - free cinema tickets for a guest of a disabled person by April2018mom
February 13
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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.
413 discussions
2.5K replies
Most recent: outdoor play equipment suitable for 5 yr old with ASD by welshmum
February 22
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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.
809 discussions
4.7K replies
Most recent: Looking for some help regarding a proper diagnosis. by thespiceman
February 24
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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.
849 discussions
5.2K replies
Most recent: Medication has stopped working for me by janer1967
February 24
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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. -
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.
117 discussions
640 replies
Most recent: I think I may need help with mobility? by icarus
February 10
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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. -
Talk to a community adviser
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Hello, I'm Mick I am 49 years old and was in the Royal Air Force for 15 years I returned to train as a Nurse in 2008. Since then, I have worked in Community Rehabilitation, Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment, Older Adults Mental Health, Acquired Brain Injuries Rehab, and Adults with Learning Disabilities for Priory Group. I have also experienced Mental Health problems in the past and can empathise and pass on knowledge to others to help them. Ask me questions about Mental Health. -
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. -
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.
4 discussions
25 replies
Most recent: Welcome to Navigate - our new Parent Advisors by Adrian_Scope
October 2019
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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.
97 discussions
363 replies
Most recent: Reading image-based PDFs on iPhone (Visually-impaired) by Andrew_S
February 24
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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.
110 discussions
1K replies
Most recent: Degenerative disc disease and facet joint arthritis by Chloe_Scope
February 12
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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 adviser your questions today.
53 discussions
229 replies
Most recent: Hi, I am Melanie, ask me questions about being a disabled student now by Joanne_Scope
February 11
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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 advisers questions about anything from pre-employment, finding work to employment issues once you are in work. Welcome to our employment advisers Donisha, Pia, Ren, Isaac, Mwila and David -
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.
79 discussions
329 replies
Most recent: looking for what options are out there for me as a stammerer by Chloe_Scope
September 2019
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Question and answer sessions with guest advisors on a wide range of subjects.
75 discussions
616 replies
Most recent: How deaf do you have to be to qualify for benefits by Chloe_Scope
November 2019