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Support services

Other advice and support

Disabled Advice Resource Team (DART)

DART is an advice and information service both for people with disabilities and their carers. DART offers advice on a wide range of topics, including welfare benefits.  DART opens Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 4 a.m.

• Contact:
• DART
• Address:
• Harrison House
  10 Harrison Road
  Halifax.  HX1 2AF
• E-mail:
• calderdaledart@dart10.fsnet.co.uk
• Telephone:
• 01422 346950 or 01422 346040
• Fax:
• 01422 322338

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

CAB offers general advice and information on any subject, including employment, consumer problems, housing, relationships, and specialist advice on welfare benefits and debt.

• Contact:
• CAB
• Address:
• 37 Harrison Road
  Halifax, HX1 2AF
• Telephone:
• 01422 349569

Access to education: the adult and community learning service

The Adult and Community Learning Service (ACL) provides a wide range of courses for people with learning disabilities. Classes are delivered at venues throughout Calderdale, and include art and craft, cookery, rhythm and percussion, yoga, and independent living skills.

Classes are based on a maximum number of nine learners to ensure that participants enjoy appropriate support and guidance with their individual needs fully catered for. Course tutors have skill and expertise in their particular subject area; they recognise and respect the needs of adults with learning disabilities, encouraging everyone to engage in all activities, using required tact and sensitivity.

A support worker is also present in each class to assist the tutor and to ensure that the learning experience is pleasant and beneficial for all. Although support workers do not have a teaching role, they provide valuable guidance and personal support for learners and help to maintain a calm and friendly learning environment. Learners may, of course be accompanied by their own carer or parent if appropriate.

Learners are encouraged to be as independent as possible when travelling to class. If, however, people require assistance, ACL can provide one subsidised return taxi journey per week.

Further information about these classes may be obtained from:

• Address:
• Halifax Adult and Community Learning Centre
  Horton House, Halifax, HX1 1PU
• Web site:
• Telephone:
• 01422 392820.

Access to employment: Workwise

Calderdale has a service for disabled people who need help to access employment. The service offers help in finding a job, and initial support in the workplace with a job coach scheme. The service also offers advice and helps people to obtain training so that they have the correct skills for work.

• Contact:
• Workwise
• Address:
• Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre
  Hopwood Lane
  Halifax, HX1 5ER
• Telephone:
• 01422 364092.

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