Finances can be a major concern for families with disabled children.  It costs almost £7,000 a year more to raise a disabled child due to direct costs such as special aids and adaptations, transport, heating and childcare.  With rising living costs affecting all families, Contact a Family wants to find out the effects of families caring for children with disabilities, serious health conditions or rare conditions.    In this podcast, Louise Derbyshire (Family Linking Officer for Contact a Family) speaks with a number of parents who are raising disabled children to get an insight into how these additional costs impact on their families. Download counting_the_cost.mp3 Contact a Family - For Families With Disabled Children Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 3555Textphone: 0808 808 3556Email us: helpline@cafamily.org.uk Website: www.cafamily.org.uk  Find us on Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Second Life and YouTube Counting the Costs Survey As part of our research on the matter, Contact a Family are conduting a short survey where you can have your say in how the additional costs are affecting your family.  You can take part by visiting www.cafamily.org.uk/quiz.html or if you would prefer a hard copy of the survey, call our helpline on 0808 808 3555 and we can have one sent out to you. Your participation and comments will help influence future campaigning work.  Thank you for taking part. Less