Disability World.COM, Scotland

When the IDEAS Project established its site www.disabilityworld.org, we soon discovered that in a parallel universe, www.disabilityworld.com had been operating for a few years in Scotland. Below is their story posted from Braveheart Country!

By William McQueen (DisabilityWorld@fife.co.uk)

Disability World.com

This is not a government funded site, this is paid for out of my own pocket.  This site was set up out of FRUSTRATION of where to find the relevant information.   Similar to the USA we do have an "information overkill" - i.e., no initial Point of Contact.

This little corner of the Web has been set up to try and rectify some of the short comings - the site is unusual as it caters for ALL disabilities.  It started off in Scotland, our neighbours the English soon asked to be included and before long the site started to "rock and roll" world-wide.

The criteria for entry is simple: it must offer practical advice - I have no exclusions, information is put on regardless of where the country is - disability is world-wide.  Someone, somewhere, may benefit from the information provided.

The main strength of this site is the Links Page which is being added to during the next 2 months (the number of Links will double) and could soon become one of the Best Search Engines on disability within the UK/Europe.

What has surprised me is how much interest this site has generated world-wide, hence the somewhat varied entries. It soon became very obvious, that I was not alone in these feelings and I have received a lot of encouragement i.e., New Zealand, Canada, USA etc.

Myself

I have Cerebral Palsy, now use a wheelchair, worked for the Fife Police as a CCTV Operator until I got worse - now at College studying Library Information Technology.

Claim to Fame

- Swam for Great Britain and Scotland
- Gold/Bronze Medals in the Barcelona ParaOlympics
- European Champion
- Broke 7 World Records

Ambition

To make this the biggest Disability Site in the United Kingdom/Europe

Whether I can achieve the above is really a question of time/money to fund this site.   Sponsors are difficult to find and the United Kingdom is no different.

However, I live in "Braveheart" Country on the shores of the River Forth and I feel given time I will achieve my objective.