Promoting Equality for the Disabled

Queen Elizabeth's Foundation is a national charity based in Leatherhead, Surrey working to promote equality for disabled people. It serves over 100,000 people annually. Named in honour of the Queen Mother who, until her death earlier this year, was the charity's patron, the Foundation operates eight Centres, each with their own area of expertise.

Through its centres, the foundation works to enable disabled people to acquire skills for employment, build their confidence, increase independence and maximise mobility. As an example, QEFD’s Brain Injury Centre provides a wide range of rehabilitation services to young adults who have acquired disability and learning difficulties as a result of a brain injury. Its Development Centre works with severely disabled young people to give them the skills they require to move on to a lifestyle of their choice. In 1989, the Foundation established a Disability Information Service (DISS), providing free advice to people of all ages with any kind of disability. The service is also available to family members, carers and professionals. DISS operates its own web site, www.diss.org.uk, which is recognised as a quick way of finding information from a respected source.

As a charitable organization, the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation relies upon fund raising and charitable donations to cover its annual expenditure. Amongst the many events it organizes are Charity Race Meetings, Golf Days and a Guinness & Oyster Lunch, held annually at the Mansion House.

From October 2004 all companies and building owners have to make reasonable adjustments to their premises to comply with the DDA. The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation employs a team of experienced access auditors who will check buildings and advise on what is required to comply with the DDA. This service is called EASE Access Auditing (Ease of Access, Service and Employment) and is free.

If you would like more information on the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation or would like to apply for an EASE audit, contact them at:

Queen Elizabeth's Foundation
Leatherhead Court
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 0BN
Telephone: 01372 841100
Fax: 01372 844657
or visit their web site: www.qefd.org