According to the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), around one in five adults in the UK is disabled, with in excess of one million of those live alone. With the right support and facilities, leading an independent life with a physical or learning disability is more achievable today than ever before.
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Occupational Therapy team and Sensory Support team are based at the Neville Garratt Centre for Independent Living. This team exists to help people maintain independence within their home.
Meeting your needs
Around 1.9 million households (data obtained from the Disabled Living Foundation) contain at least one person who felt that their condition meant that they required some adaptations to their home. The most common adaptations needed were:
Grab rails inside the home
A bath/shower seat or other aids to use
A shower to replace the bath
A special toilet seat
If you feel you have care and support need, it may be helpful to use the Disabled
Living Foundation’s online self-assessment tool which may identify some of your needs and will suggest aids and equipment which may help you to remain independent. This is just a guide and is not an official assessment of your needs which, if requested, will be undertaken by a healthcare professional
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)
For more complex problems, major adaptations, e.g. a stair lift or level access shower, may be recommended.
In this case you will be referred to the Adaptations Team at Wolverhampton Homes and may be offered a Disabled Facilities Grant (subject to means test) if you are a homeowner, or a private tenant. Different financial arrangements apply for tenants of Wolverhampton Homes.
You can find out more information about Disabled Facilities Grants here .
To find out more about this service, you can get in touch with the Independent Living Team on the details listed on this page.
