4. Accessible / Adapted Housing

A home, your own front door, this is almost the definition of Independent Living. However there is no simple way of knowing what accessible or adapted housing there is available, where it is, if there is a choice about its location and if it will be usable for the disabled person, it is estimated that a quarter of a million homes are not accessible for a wheelchair user. There are disabled people without a permanent place to live too, consigned to temporary rooms, bed and breakfast or slowly becoming dependent on residential care. There is a need for a collective and comprehensive list of accessible accommodation locally, a list of landlords that will support the adaptation of property for disabled tenants and accessible options for those in housing crisis or moving at their own pace from residential care to living independently and at choice. The problem is compounded by a system that has not taken account of differing needs, many disabled people are unable to amass sufficient points on social housing waiting lists. Often disabled adults are living with their parents and unable to obtain a home of their own because they also are considered to be suitably housed. The Disability Rights commission gives the example that 52% of adults with learning disabilities live with their parents.