Adaptations for people with disabilities
You may find that it becomes more difficult to
manage your home as you get older, or physical or mental impairment
affects your ability to do day-to-day tasks. We can help to make
your home more comfortable to live in, by making appropriate
changes to your house and immediate surroundings.
If you are having difficulties within your home and think that
you need help in coping with some of the physical aspects of
everyday living, such as
- bathing,
- going up steps and stairs,
- using your heating system,
you should contact our repairs help-line on 01225
366111 or email our repairs
helpline.
The way we deal with your request will depend on the type of
adaptation you require. If the work you need is likely to cost less
than £1,000, we will usually carry out the work and you will not
have to pay anything. We call this type of work a minor
adaptation. Examples of minor adaptations include:
Rails
- Grab rails
- Banister rails
- Handrails to steps
Doors and windows
- Provide & fit doors
- Widen doorways
- Lower thresholds
- Alter doorsteps
- Provide and fit door entry equipment
- Provide & fit temporary ramps
Plumbing
- Provide & fit lever taps
- Extensions to heating systems
Electrics
- Provide & fit smoke detectors
- Extend pull cord switches
- Lower light switches
- Raise power points
- Provide & fit additional external lighting
Kitchens
- Minor alterations to kitchen units & sinks
Miscellaneous
- Provide & install key safes
Please note that these are only examples: there
are other things which may qualify as ‘minor adaptations’ but which
are not in this list. Some low-cost adaptations require specialist
advice or assessment, so we cannot deal with them as minor
adaptations. We will advise you how to get the help you need.
We aim to complete work for minor adaptations within 10 working
days of agreeing to your request, and we will carry out the work at
a time which is most convenient to you, within normal working
hours. If we cannot complete the work in this time, we will explain
the reasons and agree a reasonable time-scale with you.
We have programmes of work to replace older bathrooms and
kitchens. We will ensure that we will consult with you and include
any appropriate adaptations in the design of new facilities.
If the adaptation you require is likely to cost more than
£1,000, or needs a more expert assessment of your needs, we will
advise you how to contact the local authority (council) for your
area, who can arrange for any required assessment.
The council will also advise you how to apply for a Disabled
Facilities Grant (DFG), to help pay for the work. A DFG is subject
to a means test but, if you receive certain types of state benefit
or have a low income and savings of less than £6,000, you will
probably not have to pay anything towards the cost.
You can find out more about DFG on the
DirectGov website.
If you want to carry out work which you intend to pay for
yourself, or which is funded by DFG, you will need our permission
before you can start work. We will usually give consent to
reasonable requests, although we may require you to agree to some
conditions; this might include, for example, an agreement to pay
for annual servicing or safety checks. The council may help you to
complete the consent forms, but if you are paying for the work
yourself, you can download the form
here.
If you require additional ongoing support to
remain independent in your home such as:
• a 24 hour alarm with support on hand,
• visits and falls support,
• help after a hospital admission
Then contact our Independent Living Service on 01225 366196 or
click here to send
an email.
» Find out more about the Independent Living
Service.
*Please note that we are reviewing our policies
and procedures for adaptations and mobility scooters, and this
information may change soon after April 2011.