Choice in Hackney
Choice in Hackney supports people who have experienced disability hate crime, based on learning disability, mental health needs, physical disability and/or sensory impairment.
We are a voluntary organisation, which provides Advocacy and Independent Living Services to disabled people in London.
We support disabled people from all communities to obtain the services they need to live independently, with dignity and to make choices about their lifestyles.
We are a Disabled People User Led Organisation, which means we're run by disabled people, for disabled people. We are committed to empowering disabled people by working to the social model of disability.
Advocacy service
What is disability hate crime?
A disability hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability.
This includes anyone targeted as a result of their physical disability, sensory impairment, learning disability or mental health needs. Hate crimes and incidents can be committed against a person or property.
Advocacy is the support and encouragement given by a professional advocate to a disabled user, to enable him/her to obtain services needed to live an independent and dignified lifestyle in the community.
The advocate works in partnership with the disabled user. The advocate does not take control of the user's life, but researchs the options so that the user can make informed choices and take decisions, which the advocate will assist them to fulfil. The advocate will:
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Meet with the service-user to establish his/her need(s) and draw up a plan of action (which is an agreement between both parties).
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Provide the user with adequate information to enable him/her to make informed choices.
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Co-ordinate the various services from different agencies and ensure that they are in place for the disabled user. Thus, the advocate provides a single entry point to the whole system of statutory, voluntary and private services.
Our Values
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Working to the social model of disability. The view that it is the way that society is run and organised that is the problem, NOT the individual disabled person.
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Therefore, these barriers (environment, attitude, institution etc) must be removed so as to allow for full participation of disabled people.
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Total equality relating to all aspects of life.
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Inclusiveness. Which means having a say in how we run our lives: "nothing about us, without us"
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Diversity. Valuing differences and seeing them as a collective strength.
Our vision is to empower all disabled people to have independence, control, and choice in how they run their lives.
Contact Choice in Hackney:
Landline: 020 7613 3206
Text phone: 020 7613 3208