n-e-ability Parent section
As parents, we all worry about our children at some time. In the parent section, we try to offer useful links to sites which may be of benefit to you and offer support whether it be you or your child who is disabled.

Help, advice and support

Parent Plus link
Parentline Plus is a UK registered charity which offers support to anyone parenting a child – the child's parents, step parents, grand parents and foster parents. Parentline Plus runs a freephone helpline, courses for parents, develops innovative projects and provides a range of information.

Raising kids
Your online parenting magazine offers support, information, and friendship to everyone who's raising kids - whatever your circumstances or income.

CBeebies Grown-Ups
CBeebies grown-ups is a useful service provided for parents by the BBC for both you and your child. Examples of sections include discussing how parenting and play go together, special educational needs and parents articles.

ParentStages
ParentStages cover parenting issues, skills and offer good information.

Caring for a disabled Child

Caring for disabled children
Parents receive no support for children with learning difficulties
This tonight with Trevor McDonald report investigates the fact that some parents caring for disabled children with learning disabilities are being exploited and receive little or no help in caring for their child. Mencap also have input into this article.

Caring for a child with no diagnoses
This factsheet is aimed at parents who are caring for a child who does not currently have a diagnosis. It may help to answer some of the questions you may have; more importantly it will highlight that you are not alone.

Benefits advice
There are a number of different benefits available. Some may be payable because your child is disabled or unwell but others might be payable for different reasons. For example, you may be getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for your child but you may also be able to get benefits because you have a low income.

Working or want to work
If you are the parent of a disabled child and are currently working or wish to return to work, this site has useful information on mentoring support and schemes to support you in working or studying.

Disabled Parents

Being a disabled parent
Project to improve support for disabled parents
The NFPI is working with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the University of Leicester on a study of good practice in supporting disabled parents. The NFPI need to hear from disabled people and carers.

Accessibility in your child’s school
This article was written by a woman who has MS and was wheelchair bound when her son was born. She discusses how her son’s school were supportive to her and how ramps were installed at the school. If your child’s school isn’t accessible, you may read some useful advice on how to gain the support of the staff.

Child Protection on the Internet

Safe Surfing for kids
Kid Surfer is a browser, (like Internet Explorer, Netscape & AOL). It is used by children from ages 3-12 to surf the Internet, but the children can only view hand-selected, "Kid Surfer Approved" Sites.

Safer Internet Chat Room
Chat Safe is a joint initiative between Thames Valley Police and the Royal Air Force. The two forces have worked together to provide an information package for young people to safely use the internet and chatrooms.

Holidays

Holidays with disabled children
Families with children who have special needs may be entitled to help from local Social Services Departments. Some authorities may provide grants towards holiday costs, others may offer holidays at places of their own choice. Some local authorities insist on means-testing and, even when grants are available, they are usually small. Contact a family (holiday fact sheet) list many useful and up-to-date organisations to assist parents.

The Wheelabout
The wheelabout is a new holiday house for families with disabled children built on the site of the old Wheelabout cottage on the Ridgeway, Penally, Tenby, Pembrokeshire. It has been designed especially for families with disabled children, with easy access and all the aids required for the care of these children.

Give Hope Charity
The Give Hope charity site lists organisations which may be useful for families with disabled children or carers.

Cancer Backup
Cancer Backup is a registered charity that provides holidays for chronically or terminally ill, or physically disabled children

Respite for carers
This page lists some useful information for carers who need a break too.

Holiday accommodation for children and young people
This site gives details of holidays providing support and care for disabled children and young people