Accessible housing for disabled home-seekers
Disabled and older people can find wheelchair user homes for rent more swiftly thanks to a strengthened search function on England’s dedicated accessible housing portal, Accessible NOW.
The site boasts key information that other property portals may not have, including accessibility features like wet rooms, step-free entrances, parking, location, proximity to shops and transport links along with photos of key areas within the home.
Not-for-profit national housing mobility scheme Homefinder UK developed Accessible NOW in partnership with the social housing provider of accessible homes, Habinteg Housing Association.
English Housing Survey data shows that around 400,000 wheelchair users are living in homes that are neither designed for nor adapted to their needs, and only 9% of English homes have even the most basic accessibility features.
“With over 1,300 housing associations in England, just think what we could achieve if they all market their accessible properties on the platform,” said Christina McGill, Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs.
“Disabled and older people, and their families, would be able to find a suitable accessible home in one trusted resource.”
For further information, visit or
Comments
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Hi @Richard_Scope, do you know of any companies that do accessible conversions for disabled people who own their homes?
TIA,
Lorraine
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@HappyDays62I'm afraid I don't. This page about Disabled Facilities Grants might be helpful to you.
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Thank you very much, I'll look into it.
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Hi there,
I am new here. I'm about to have a ramp and drive built that will allow me to get out of my house after many years being unable to get out my own. the builder doesn't have particular knowledge of disability.
Last year I had a wide door installed. It opens out. What I need to know is how much platform I need to the right of the door as I come out to allow the door to go back. I have both a scooter and a wheelchair, I think the wheelchair will be fine if the door opens only 90°, but the scooter doesn't have much manoeuvrability and I think if the door goes further right then the scooter can turn right and then I can reverse left. I am having real trouble picturing it. I hope this makes sense to someone. I would appreciate any input. With thanks, Katherine
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@HappyDays62 the council, when I persevered gave me a list of approved contractors for having a disabled access door put in. All experienced in adaptations.
BUT they were so much more expensive than shopping around for another.
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@KatherineTO Thank you. I have just had my walk-in shower installed, and it was expensive but well worth it. I've also had some quotes to make my kitchen accessible and a ramp installed to get me outside, but as you say, you pay a premium just for being disabled!
The upside is that we are VAT exempt if the work is done for accessibility purposes.
A bigger problem for me is that I can't find a reliable builder; they come round, provide a quote, and then I don't hear from them again.
Anyway, I'll contact my local council to see what they know. xx
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Thank you so much for this information I'm disabled in a wheelchair but not wheelchair bound. Im living in a property no longer suitable for my needs. I cant even fit my electric wheelchair indoors and there's a big step getting in and out of my door. I cant wait to move but didn't know where to look. Mum suggested looking into warden assisted place for over 60s usually as they do house some with special needs but usually upstairs. They have a ground floor available right now but I'm not sure if I would stand a chance I'm 49 going to be 50 in October. They had a 49 year old before but upstairs. I would be ideal being close to mum as she does so much for me and don't know how much longer she will be able to drive at 88 years old.
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@HappyDays62 letting you know I am in Swindon, just in case you are coincidentally near by and I can recommend someone. I have had people come round to quote, chat for ages and never even send a quote. Strange.
@poolelass75 hope you find somewhere suitable. I too am "disabled in a wheelchair but not wheelchair bound" . the electric wheelchair just squeezes through the kitchen door!
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@HappyDays62 I'm in Dorset as far south you can get without doxing myself although my name poolelass75 kinda gives that away lol. I need to be in the same area and near my mum. But thank you she's going to speak to her warden this week to see what I need to do about getting a flat in mum's area suitable for my needs
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Hi Katherine, I'm in East Sussex, but thanks anyway.
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Wishing you the best of luck in finding a suitable/accessible place to live xx
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These are people I have used before in Cardiff.
I have removed the names but it shows that if you contact them in your area they will spgn post you to the appropiate departments as there are different departments for things like Home Help, Warm Home Schemes, help with adaptions.
- Rehousing Solutions 1st Floor, Housing and Allocations, Wilcox House, Dunleavy Drive, Cardiff, CF11 0BA Email: rehousingsolutions@cardiff.gov.uk Date: 07/06/23 CCHA Tolven Court, Dowlais Rd, Cardiff CF24 5LQ Dear Sir/Madam Re: {removed personal detail} Address: ********* Cardiff, CF** 2**
- REQUEST FOR PHYSICAL ADAPTATION GRANT An assessment was completed for the tenant at the above address who has the following difficulties. Social Environment M* ****** lives in a two bedroom house. The property has been adapted with a stairlift, ramped access and a wetroom in the first floor bathroom for Mrs medical conditions. Mr has a medical condition which causes issues when toileting. Mr mobilises independently and supports his wife with daily living tasks.
- Problems Identified
- • Mr reports that he experiences difficulties when toileting and is unable to use toilet paper or wet wipes as a result of his medical condition.
- • Mr also reports difficulties with toilet transfers due to the current toilet height. In order to maximize independence, the following work is recommended to be necessary and appropriate via an urgent Physical Adaptation Grant:
- Recommendation If possible: • Please consider removing the existing toilet in the first floor bathroom and replace with a high raised toilet set at 17inches from finished floor level with built in wash dry facility.
• Please consider installing a grab to the wall next to the toilet in the first floor bathroom (right side when facing toilet). Please contact me should you wish to discuss this request further.
Yours sincerely {removed personal detail} Housing Occupational Therapy Assistant.
As you can see more than one adaption can be made according to you conditions.
You should apply back to your local housing Office and explain that the property is no longer suitable and do have a Duty of Care to respond.
You can only ask, to see what is available.
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I have been wondering about converting my flat in some way to support a scooper, would need a ramp, but also is a very narrow corridor, but my dad told me can get fold up scooters, are those really a thing?
Council wont rehouse me, they under extreme housing pressures.0 -
I had an accessible wetroom constructed last year - which DID cost a huge amount of money - but does allow me wheelchair access to the house - the platform is about 2 metres by 2 metres - maybe a little large but does allow me to turn 180 degrees easily !
There are requirements stated in part M of building regs
wheelchair ramp will comply with Part M of Building Regulations if it;
- Has a non-slip surface.
- Is 1.5m wide with a minimum unobstructed width of 1.5m.
- Has a maximum individual flight of 10m
- Has a maximum gradient of 1:20 at 10m (500mm high)
- Has a maximum gradient of 1:15 at 5m (333mm high)
- Has a maximum gradient of 1:12 at 2m (166mm high)
- For goings between 2m and 10m it is acceptable to use a sliding scale i.e. 1:13 for 3m, 1:14 for 4m, 1:16 for 6m, etc.
- Has top and bottom landings no less than 1.2m and intermediate
- Landings of 1.8m every 10m.
- Has 100mm high raised kerbs to any open side of ramp or landings
- Has a continuous suitable handrail on each side.
- Has a maximum cross fall of 1:40
- Has a maximum slope on landings of 1:60
- Has a contrasting, landings, upstands and handrails to ramp surface.
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Thank you @Wibbles . Gosh, mine is so NOT going to meet the standards!
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Hi, If you contact your local council they have grants for disabled home owners . I've got an assessor coming round in a few weeks time. ALso if you ask the council for the adult social care to assess you , it will get the ball rolling . It's how we got ours moving , we have holes in the floors and damp all over , our council do grants and the cost goes on the property for ten years then it is written off , but if you move before ten years you have to pay it back .
I hope this helps you .
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This is really helpful. Thank you!
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You're very welcome , once you get the ball rolling , keep bugging them because they work slow .
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