Accessible housing

Accessible housing means getting it right at all levels:

• someone in a wheelchair can be prevented from using a hallway by a thoughtlessly placed radiator or narrow corridor
• the door-handle in the corner of the room could be unreachable.
• the windows are too high for a wheelchair user to look out of
• you can’t get out of the back door to access the garden

It also means providing other services that go beyond bricks and mortar, e.g. information and advocacy services for people who need them.

Since 1999, all new housing should be built to "visitable" housing standards: that is, wheelchair-users will be able to get into the ground floor and use the downstairs loo with assistance. All social housing in Wales – mainly built by housing associations – are designed to Lifetime Homes standards, which mean that they can be adapted to meet a disabled person’s individual needs far more easily than other housing types.

The location of the home can leave sometimes leave us feeling isolated within our own home. Think about:

• steep hills near the housing estate
• how near and accessible is the public transport (if it exists in your area)?
• how close are the shops, schools, doctor’s surgeries etc?
• are there any dropped kerbs around the estate?

At the other end of the spectrum, a single simple piece of equipment can make the difference between bathing independently or having your bath-time decided by another person (e.g. carer, Personal Assistant, home-help etc.).

Many agencies provide specific information on housing. They can help you to decide whether it is possible for you to stay in your own home and have adaptations carried out.

Sometimes you may want to consider moving if there is limited or no choice. A few local authorities and housing associations have set up Accessible Housing Registers to help them find which property would suit your needs best. They should also be able to provide you with financial and practical information on housing matters.