Access all areas: pupils have been helping people with disabilities by joining a campaign
to raise awareness of difficulties posed by everyday journeys. Jonathan Toye is pictured
here with youngsters from a Primary School in Norfolk, who are working on
promotional posters for the West Norfolk Disability information Service. . Picture© EDP
Introduction
WNDiS (West Norfolk Disability information Service) provides information and advice to people with disabilities and their carers and also deals with any concerns that local businesses may have with the passing of Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act ( mainly to do with access to premises and services).
WNDiS came about as a result of a project that began in 1994, prompted by a meeting of the Norfolk Disability Information Federation and was led by disabled people. The group, which was initially called WNDIP (West Norfolk Disability Information Project) was supported by North West Anglia Community Health Council and funded by joint finance.
A large amount of research in the community led to the publication in July 1997 of the report Closing The Net - a users’ view of disability information in West Norfolk. The report was presented at a conference called Working Together, held at Lynnsport, organised by the Borough Council.
A workshop session held at the Ffolkes’ Arms, Hillington on 23 September 1997 in turn led to a focused assessment of how a local disability information service might run.
In April 1999, funding for a three year project was provided by North West Anglia Health Authority.
In October 1999, a part-time co-ordinator of the service began the job, sharing an office with West Norfolk Deaf Association in Railway Road, King’s Lynn.
By mid-2000, the co-ordinator was working full-time, as a result of further funding from the Borough Council of West Norfolk, West Norfolk Primary Care Trust and Norfolk Social Services for other project work. In early 2004 the decision was taken to move to a four day working week, to enable a financial reserve to build up.
A part-time Admin Assistant was taken on in September 2002. Funding for the post was not available beyond October 2003. Volunteers have always played an important role in the service. Through liaison with the Jobcentre and other agencies, temporary work placements began in 2004.
The Hunstanton Access Guide finally appeared in 2004 and the Downham Market Guide in 2005.
If anyone in the area requires advice, please feel free to telephone or email WNDiS :
Tel 01553 774599
e-mail: jt@wndis.org.uk
Office Address WNDiS
Kellard House
Hardwick Rd,
King's Lynn,
Norfolk
PE30 5BB
The office is open from 9.30am until 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday
Kellard House is near the South Gate roundabout.
If you are coming along Hardwick Road, turn left up a track to the Lorry Park, immediately before the roundabout.
You can park by the house.
For a map of our location please click here
Site designed and maintained by
Danilaw Design, Downham Market
e.mail danilaw@lewks.co.uk
