Tenants Handbook - Services for tenants with a disability or impairment
CHAPTER 9 - SERVICES FOR TENANTS WITH A DISABILITY OR IMPAIRMENT
INTRODUCTION
Please tell us if you have health problems or disabilities and need additional support to live independently in your home. You will be asked to complete a needs information and equality profile form when signing-up for the tenancy to identify any particular requirements. Please let us know if your needs change.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
How can I contact the Council if I am deaf or hard of hearing?
We can arrange to have a signer or lip speaker present at any interview, but we need to know in advance. A text phone is available in the Customer Service Centre for this purpose.
We can provide a portable hearing loop which we can use for meetings or interviews at your home or in our offices.
What if I have difficulties reading letters and completing forms?
We can help you read and understand our letters by:
- Writing letters in large print
- Telephoning you or visiting you when we write to you, reading the letter to you and explaining what it means
- Sending copies of our letters, with your permission, to someone who supports you
We can speak or write to someone else on your behalf, but we will need your permission to do this. You may be supported by a friend, relative, support worker or professional advocate. See page 88 for contact details for the Winchester Advocacy Project.
You can get help to fill in forms from:
- Your Area Housing Manager
- The Customer Service Centre
- Our website, where you can download some Council forms
- A Council officer, who can visit you at home
- An independent agency, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern. See page 88 for contact information.
The Council does not discriminate against anyone. We will treat any information you give us about your personal circumstances confidentially and sensitively. Please tell us if you have difficulties because we can arrange appropriate support for you.
GETTING HELP
If you need support to allow you to continue to live independently, several options are available to you, including:
- Assistance from Adult and Childrens Services. A social worker will arrange to assess your needs and discuss what measures they can offer to help.
- Supported tenancy service. Support through the supported housing team or through a specialist agency. See chapter 10 for further details.
- Installation of Lifeline or Telecare. We can provide Lifeline or Telecare services in your home. You can also receive these services if you live in one of our older people's properties. See pages 65 to 66 for further details. If your home is unsuitable for your needs and you are aged 60 or over, you may apply to move to an older people's property. See chapter 8 for further details.
- Support from other agencies. You can get advice about other help that is available from your doctor, Adult and Childrens Services, NHS professionals or the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Claiming benefits
You may qualify for benefits such as Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance or Incapacity Benefit if you are disabled, have a disabled child or are caring for someone with a disability.
Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for more information. See page 88 for contact details.
AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS
The Council can carry out adaptations for elderly or disabled tenants so you can continue to live as independently as possible. These adaptations should be both 'necessary' and 'reasonably practical' in terms of your needs and the suitability of the property.
We operate a 'fast track' referral system for residents who are fit, healthy and able to identify their own needs. You avoid waiting to be assessed by an Occupational Therapist and can have simple adaptations to prevent slips, trips and falls, including:
- Grab rails and banisters
- Short runs of essential external rails
- Lever taps
- Essential raised sockets
- Easier to operate fixtures, for example, light switches, cupboard handles
- Levelling of thresholds
- Intercoms (if unable to answer front door)
- Key safes
- Half steps
- External access to front and rear doors
- Painted edging on steps and stairs
- Increased lighting in principal rooms and in communal areas
- Adaptations to stop cock
- Moving the electricity consumer unit
- Raising or lowering essential cupboard or work surfaces or wash hand basin
You may also consider asking for Telecare support. See page 66 for further details.
Your doctor, care worker or anyone concerned with your welfare can refer you through the 'fast track' scheme. For more information contact the Customer Service Centre.
Requests for complex adaptations and equipment must be referred through OT Direct and you will be assessed by an Occupational Therapist. Contact OT Direct on 0845 6004555 for more information.
More expensive work will be subject to a financial means test and you may be asked to make a contribution.
Once the work is approved, we will appoint a suitably qualified contractor. The timescale for completing the work depends on the complexity, the cost and the availability of contractors.
Further details can be found on the Council website, which also contains information on current waiting times for assessment.
GARDENING
We may be able to arrange gardening help through a local charity if you are unable to maintain your garden because of your disability. Please contact your Area Housing Manager for more information. You should ensure your garden is maintained and does not become a health hazard otherwise the Council will arrange for it to be cleared and you will be charged for this.
MOVING HOME
You may wish to transfer or exchange to a more suitable property if your home or garden is difficult to manage. See pages 78 to 80 for details about moving home or talk to your Area Housing Manager about alternative accommodation.
INTERNAL DECORATION
We may decorate a room for people who are pensioners and disabled people who have difficulty decorating and do not have relatives to help them. This scheme is discretionary. For further details contact the Customer Service Centre.
