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About UPDATE Disability Information Scotland

Gail Wilson - Manager

Rhonda McPhail Information Services Co-ordinator

Cathy Scott Information Worker

Chris Read Administrative & Information Worker

Formed in 1999, we are a user-led organisation that provides a wide range of services to information providers in Scotland. UPDATE's core services are funded through a Section 10 (Community Care) grant from the Scottish Government.

Based in accessible offices in Edinburgh, we are a national voluntary sector organisation, a recognised Scottish charity and a company limited by guarantee.

UPDATE is controlled by disabled people and promotes the social model of disability. As such, we recognise that disability is caused by the barriers that people with impairments meet in everyday life.

We believe that lack of information is one of the main barriers that disabled people face in society today.

If we don't know the answer, we know who does.

What we do:

We provide a comprehensive disability information service for Scotland by:

• Providing organisations and agencies with a full range of disability related information that is relevant to Scotland.
• Providing subscribing member organisations and agencies with cost-effective support services and resources that facilitate good practice and builds capacity.
• Providing members of the public with general information and accurate contact details of appropriate local/specialist organisations.
• Encouraging and supporting good practice in disability information and advice services.

What third sector organisations say:

"Many thanks for your message and understanding of my concerns re. potential confusion over the listing in your database. Your suggestion for dealing with this sounds perfect!"
SMacK, Guide Ambassador, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Feb 2011

"I (was) looking for a risk assessment form specific to disabled people to include in our policy. Many thanks for replying to me so quickly. Thank you for your information."
CP, Occupational Health Advisor Nurse, NHS, January 2012

"I really appreciate your help. As someone who took part in the 'Hardest Hit' protest rally on October 22 against the proposals in the Government's Welfare Reform Bill, I am very keen to keep the momentum going."
AB, Activist and RNIB Member, December 2011

"Brilliant, thanks for that. I’ll be looking into this over the next few weeks and that’s a massive help."
SC, Equality Development Worker, LGBT Health, August 2011

"Thanks for the prompt turnaround on the Braille version of our corporate plan – our Equalities Officer was hugely impressed."
BR, Marketing Manager, Creative Scotland, July 2011

"Thanks very much for sorting out the badges with braille for us, and so promptly too. Thanks again for the excellent service."
AM, Administrator, Lead Scotland, June 2011 

"Thanks for all your help over the last few years in putting together the Braille and audio versions of the magazine. I’ve greatly appreciated it."
PL, Publicity & Communications Officer, Margaret Blackwood Housing Association, May 2011

"Thanks for this – I’ve got it safely. Good for UPDATE getting it away on time, you're always great to deal with and really helpful."
GB, Communications Officer, Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman, April 2011

Get in touch:

While UPDATE primarily serves the needs of disability information providers, we are always keen to hear from disabled people, their family, friends and carers and non-member disability organisations.

Hays Community Business Centre
4 Hay Avenue, Edinburgh, EH16 4AQ
0131 669 1600
info@update.org.uk

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