‘Until Disabled People Get Consulted …’: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Meeting Housing Needs

Abstract

This article reports oh a study of the housing needs of people with disabilities (aged 16 to 65) in Shropshire. The study included interviews with disabled people and with frontline and managerial staff in several agencies, a survey of disabled people, and the analysis of quantitative data. The findings highlight the high level of need for adaptations and more appropriate housing for disabled people; the importance of greater user involvement in the way needs are identified and services provided; the need for reform of the Disabled Facilities Grant system; and the need for an integrated inter-agency approach to meeting disabled people's housing needs.

Understanding home modifications impact on clients and their family's experience of home: A qualitative study

“…For home modification clients in Australia, there is little choice in grab rails and other modification products, restricting what can be achieved aesthetically. More importance needs to be placed on the appearance of the modification with a larger range of options being available to clients, as this directly impacts the identity of the client and family using the home and may result in the non‐acceptance of modifications (Hawkins & Stewart, ; Nocon & Pleace, ).…”

Restoring and Sustaining Home: The Impact of Home Modifications on the Meaning of Home for Older People

“…They were also typified by failure to heed the views of disabled people and families concerned" (Heywood, 2004, p. 130). Nocon (1997) stresses the importance of consulting with professional staff and communicating with and listening to people with a disability when important decisions are being made about their housing. Ensuring that participants are actively engaged in the decision-making process of the intervention reinforces the meaning of home as a primary territory with a perceived degree of personal control (Oswald & Wahl, 2005;Smith, 1994).…”

Understanding the dimensions of home that impact on home modification decision making

“…The cost of modifications has been previously described as a concern for older adults and eliminating these expenses increases uptake (Gosselin, Robitaille, Trickey & Maltais, ; Jones et al ., ). Further financial and organisational restrictions of home modification services, and public access standards limit what can be achieved by home modifications, leaving clients unsatisfied, and frustrated with the home modification process (Nocon & Pleace, ; Roy et al ., ; Tanner et al ., ). The results of this study indicate a sixth dimension of home, described below, which should be recognised and incorporated into professional practice.…”

“…Research indicates that home modifications result in positive outcomes when the clients' experience of home is well understood and they are actively involved in decision making (Heywood, ; Jones, de Jonge & Phillips, ; Nocon & Pleace, ; Tanner et al ., ). However, clients can feel pressured into home modification choices, and struggle to have their wishes heard, when they are not actively involved in the decision‐making process or have limited options available to them (Heywood; Jones et al .…”