Easier Living - a guide for older and disabled people living in London (view report contents)
Adaptations
These include such things as stair and grab rails, ramps, widening doors
for a wheelchair, fitting a shower or stairlift as well as major work
such as making it possible to live on one floor.
Social services sometimes carry out minor work themselves. They may put
you in touch with the housing department of your Council as part of an
assessment if they consider
building work is required. They will ask for your permission before they
do so.
Other sources of information and advice are:
Home improvement agencies
Sometimes called Care & Repair or Staying Put, they are not-for-profit
organisations that help vulnerable homeowners or private tenants who are
older, disabled or on low incomes to improve, maintain or adapt their
homes. They can arrange surveys, organise reliable contractors and make
sure any work is carried out properly. They can also help find different
ways of paying for the work needed.
Some schemes help with home security, energy efficiency or may have people
who will carry out small DIY jobs (there may be a small charge for this).
For more information contact Foundations who coordinate home improvement
agencies. They will give you the telephone number of your local agency.
Tel: 01457 891909
Fax: 01457 869361
www.foundations.uk.com
Building advice
If you, a builder or an architect, need advice about making your home
easier to get into or move around in, the Housing Service at the RNIB
or the Centre for Accessible Environments have information on adaptations
and building work.
Centre for Accessible Environments
Tel/textphone: 020 7840 0125
Fax: 020 7840 5811
SMS: 07921 700098
Email: info@cae.org.uk
www.cae.org.uk
The National Register of Access Consultants have a list of specialist
architects.
70 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL
Tel: RNID Typetalk only 18002 020 7735 7845
Fax: 020 7840 5811
SMS: 07921 700 089
email: info@nrac.org.uk
www.nrac.org.uk
Page updated February 2008
Table of contents
About
this guide
Getting
around
Around
your home
In the kitchen
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Hobbies
Making
your home safer
Getting
equipped
Adaptations
Help with
money
Helpful
organisations
Local contacts
(London only)
