The Rowan Organisation

Eliot Park Innovation Centre
Barling Way
Nuneaton
CV10 7RH

Tel: 02476 322 860
Minicom: 02476 374 439
Web: www.therowan.org

The Rowan Organisation is an organisation of disabled people which has provided services to disabled people for over twenty five years. They are committed to the empowerment of disabled people by supporting them to overcome the barriers, both physical and attitudinal, which prevent them from achieving their objectives, or which limit their choice and prevent them from being in control of their own lives. They do this by providing access to appropriate information, resources and support in order to increase their opportunities for independence and enable them to make informed choices about their future.

The Information Service is available to members of the public, existing service users, the Rowan's own Independent Living Advisers, local authorities, voluntary organisations and other local community groups. It has three main functions:

• Query Support - telephone or email support to people seeking information and advice, mainly in the area of direct payments and independent living. They particularly have extensive knowledge and experience in providing information regarding employment of personal assistants and other related legislative issues. Where they're unable to assist someone with a query, they will signpost people to the most appropriate local or national organisation.
• Provision of accessible information - The Information Service produces a quarterly newsletter ("Directions") which is distributed to all service users, libraries, colleges, community centres and other local / voluntary organisations. As well as the newsletter, a number of factsheets are available to assist service users to understand the elements of the direct payments scheme and associated implications. They strive to make the information accessible to all and can offer this in a variety of formats, including large print, braille, audio cassette, CD and in different languages on request. Their Independent Living Advisers will normally go through the relevant factsheets in more detail when visiting new direct payments users. The other main area of information provision is via the web site.
• Research and Development - some of the issues that arise, particularly with the direct payments schemes can be complex. The Information Service researches information relating to government legislation and other topics. The service is under continual development and has as it's goal the need to make high quality information easily accessible to all.