It is the Government’s objective that every disabled persons or persons who need extra support receive that support when it comes to having greater flexibility and control over where they live and how they live.

Many disabled people wish to live in their own home and support themselves and be independent, there are many ways in which they can be helped to achieve this and it is every disabled person’s right to do so.

Living independently

If you are disabled then there are considerations that have to be taken, such as:

* Do you receive the necessary support that may be available to help you to continue living independently in your own home.

* Do you have the equipment that is necessary to help you live an independent lifestyle.

* Are there ways that your home could be adapted to make your life easier

Every disabled person has the legal right to have an assessment by their social services department. There are many ways you can get help which you may be entitled to and following an assessment an occupational therapist may be able to recommend ideas and equipment for adapting your home to suit your needs.

There are several forms of financial help which you may be entitled to claiming and the disabled facilities grant is just one of them. This grant can help towards the cost of paying for adaptations and improvements to your home which enables you to live a more independent lifestyle.

Help may also be available from home improvement agencies that are usually no profit organisations which help disabled people to live independent lives. You may also be entitled to claim from independent living funds, these organisations will provide payments to people who are seriously disabled but who want to remain at home rather than live in residential care homes.

Your local council will be able to give you more information regarding services that you may be entitled to and advice on improving your existing home. There are also sheltered or supported housing programmes which allow for disabled people to still lead a partial independent life in their own home but which also have someone on hand should the disabled person need assistance.

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered housing offers the disabled a range of services to help them live independently, while enjoying the added benefit of having someone that they can call on in an emergency.

A warden will usually live on the premises and can be called through an alarm system if help is needed, some housing complexes are often specifically for disabled people and have specialised facilities and trained medical staff at hand.

Filed under: Disability & The Home

If you are disabled and need to adapt your home due to your disability then you have certain rights and one of these is help from your local council. You may be entitled to a grant from your local council called a disabled facilities grant, if the council considers that certain changes are necessary for your needs.

Who is entitled to the grant?

You may be entitled to receiving this grant if you meet the following criteria:

* If you are disabled or someone that is living with you permanently is disabled.

* You are either the owner or tenant of the property.

* You ca prove that you are going to remain at that property for the grant period which is currently a five year period.

What does the grant cover?

The grant is used to enhance your living conditions by making changes to your surroundings which give you easier access and freedom of movement, examples if this could be:

* Making doors wider for wheelchair access and providing ramps.

* Improving access to rooms which could include the installation of stair lifts or providing downstairs bathrooms.

* Installing a heating system which may be more suited to your needs.

* Altering heating or light controls for ease of use.

* Improving access around the home if you have other people you help look after such as children.

How much can you get?

The amount you may be entitled to will be based on an assessment, in which your weekly income will be taken into account as well as your outgoings, any savings you also have over a certain amount will also be taken into account. Other benefits that you receive because of your disability such as disability living allowance will not be affected.

The amount you may get can vary from 0 to 100% of the total cost of alterations depending on the assessment. If the amount of income you get is less than the assessed needs then you will not have to pay towards the cost, if your income is more then some of your income will be used to calculate what size of loan you could contribute towards.

The maximum amount of the total cost that the council is required to pay by law is £25,000, if the cost of the changes needed to your home to give you a better way of life is more then it is at the council’s discretion whether they increase the amount or not.

Filed under: Disability & The Home