The Disabled Advice Bureau

About us and what we do.

By Brendan Pearson

We are a group  of  about 16 people who work in a set of offices in the centre of Ipswich. At the moment our numbers include 4 paid staff, 5 volunteer advice workers, 7 receptionists,  a receptionist/IT worker and  another IT worker.

We work together to provide an advice centre for disabled people and their carers in the Ipswich area. Our work is mainly centred round disability benefits and we provide advice and advocacy up to Appeal Tribunal or even to Commissioners level. We will also refer people to the numerous agencies in Ipswich and elsewhere that provide services for  people who are disabled. Our main funding is from the Suffolk County Council but we are also funded by the Ipswich Borough Council and the NHS.

We are a busy group of people and although the work can sometimes generate high stress levels we all support each other. Our Bureau was started 30 years ago but it was not until 1987 that the DAB took on its “welfare rights”  role. Before then the Bureau was mainly a drop in centre for disabled people, where issues such as employment, parking facilities and modifications of buildings were discussed and investigated. Work also included a “befriending service”.

Whether you are a client, a trainee social worker on placement,  a professional, a carer, or a volunteer or a paid worker  within the DAB, I feel the Bureau will impact on your life in a thorough and helpful way.