It can be very difficult for people who have disabilities to get around, thus lessening disabled independence, especially if they are in a very busy place or a building which has different levels and uneven floors.
Legal requirements
The Disability Discrimination Act was replaced in part by the Equality Act this year; this act was introduced to promote equality and stop discrimination. The Equality Act covers a range of aspects including rights for disabled people and protocol for educational organisations and employers. It also covers access to public services, buildings and community facilities. It is now a legal requirement for these organisations to make an effort to adjust their property to enable disabled people to access buildings and facilities. This may not just entail physical changes, such as installing ramps, but may also cover things like producing signs with large letters and offering information in Braille.
Access at home
If you are living at home, occupational therapists can help to adapt your home to suit your needs and encourage disabled independence. Making the home accessible may include:
- Moving the bedroom downstairs (if you live in a 2 or 3 storey house)
- Installing equipment, such as rails and a low basin, in the bathroom
- Installing a walk-in bath
- Installing a chair lift
- Lowering kitchen units and sinks
- Installing a ramp outside if you have steps up to your house
Improving access in public places and buildings
Possible ways of improving access in public buildings and places include:
- Installing disabled toilets
- Making disabled car parking spaces
- Installing ramps
- Installing lifts (in multi-storey buildings)
- Widening doorways
- Installing automatic doors