Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC)
The Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC) was set up in Yardley during 1994 to provide a range of independent support services to disabled people, their families and carers in Birmingham.
These free services include fully accessible ICT facilities, an information and advice service covering a wide range of disability issues, benefits advice and support, a youth club, support groups and activities for disabled people, conference facilities, and volunteering and work experience placements for disabled people. The centre also acts as a base for Strawberry Studios - a cafe, restaurant and delivery service run by learning disabled people and funded by Birmingham City Council.
But as well as oprating as a charity BDRC also has a trading arm - a company limited by guarantee - to deliver a range of fee-earning services and generate income. Through its limited company BDRC offers services that help private sector businesses and public bodies become more
aware of disability and equality issues and their responsiblities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Services include disability equ ality training, Disability Discrimination Act training, access audits and consultancy services such as advice and guidance on working practices, policies and procedures to help identify and remove barriers faced by disabled people.
As well as achieving Investors in People status, BDRC is also Matrix accredited - the national quality standard for providers of information and advice. In addition all of its trainers are also fully qualified.
BDRC is an outstanding example of social enterprise in action. It has turned its specialist expertise into a business opportunity and this enables it to generate income that helps fund its other free services, maintain the resource centre and pursue its social mission of supportuing disabled people to take control of their own lives.
Is your business meeting its accessibity requirements?
Call 0121 789 7365 to find out more about BDRC's services.
Click here to download the BDRC case study  (95KB)
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