Physical disabilities

If you have a physical disability or long-term illness we can provide support and advice to you and your carer that may help you to live more independently. More detailed information is also provided for people with visual impairments or hearing impairments.

Where to find help

Please see below for a list of services that Social Services provide. A service may be accessed by the Council following an assessment of need. Contact us via your local Access Team for more detail and information.

Carers

• Advocacy - An advocate is someone who can support or represent you when dealing with everyday problems or in times of crisis. They can offer you support and information on how you can access your rights. They act on your behalf if you don’t have the confidence to act for yourself.
• Residential Care and Day Services - Day Services are provided for people who need support during the day and may include:
• A safe, stimulating environment and a break for you or your carer;
• Activities which enable you to develop confidence, a positive self-image and skills for more independence;
• Assistance with personal care needs
• Family Based Care Services Family Based Care provides both adults and older people with day care, short stay or longer term care in the home of an approved carer or within the user’s own home.
• Short breaks (respite care) - You may need to have a change of scene and meet new friends, or your carer may need a break so that they can have a rest and recharge their batteries, whilst knowing you are well looked after. This is often called respite care and can be provided in many different ways.
• Home Care - care in your own home is offered to people who require assistance. It may be with personal care such as washing or dressing, or other practical daily tasks such as help with domestic chores like cooking and cleaning, or in some instances, help in managing your finances.
• Bathing and Showering Advice - advice and information for you and your carer about ways in which you may be able to solve bathing problems.

Occupational Therapy

• Occupational Therapy Services
  An Occupational Therapist is a highly trained person who is skilled in identifying the physical, psychological and social needs of people. They can then work with you and your carers to find ways of reducing your problems.
• Community Equipment
  There are a number of centres displaying a wide range of useful equipment and gadgets for older people and disabled people of all ages. The range of equipment includes wheelchairs, walking frames, kitchen, bathing and toilet equipment. For more information contact your local Disability Service.

Support Services

• Supporting People aims to enable people with housing related support needs to live independently.
• Teleshopping
  Teleshopping is a shopping service for elderly and disabled people who cannot do their own shopping. An assessment is needed from your local Social Services to access this service. There is no minimum order and you can have small pack sizes and portions (e.g. bacon by the rasher). Your order is delivered at the same time each week and the driver will check and put away your goods if necessary. For further information contact your local Access Team.
• Environmental Control System
  If you have a severe physical disability, an Environmental Control System could offer you the opportunity to operate appliances and communication aids from a central control, with switching mechanisms adapted to meet your needs. You should contact your local Access Team or your doctor or medical consultant will assess whether the equipment is provided on loan and serviced free of charge.

Housing

• Adaptations to property
  Your local Access Team and Housing Authorities will assess what improvements and adaptations you may need in order to live more independently in your own home. Grants are available to help with the adaptations. Help is also available to all private sector owner-occupiers and tenants.
• Care and repair
  Care and Repair will help elderly or disabled homeowners with repairs and improvements. Staff will visit you in your own home to assess the type of work you require and discuss the various options open to you. If you decide to proceed with the work, the Care and Repair Staff will arrange for estimates from reliable contractors and supervise any work, no matter how small, from start to completion.
• Council tenants' succession rights
  The Housing Act 1985 sets out the circumstances in which succession of the tenancy can take place where the tenant has died. Provided there has not already been a succession it may be possible for a close family member to succeed to the tenancy providing they have lived in the property for a minimum of twelve months prior to the tenant’s death.
• Homes Mobility Scheme
  If you are a council tenant and need to move to another part of the country because of your job, or if you need to give or receive a high level of support from relatives, you may be eligible for help under the Homes Mobility Scheme.
• Re-housing
  A person may enquire about re-housing to their local Council. If an applicant has medical problems, the Independent Medical Advisor will assess medical evidence. The applicant shall be notified of the outcome.
• Sheltered accommodation
  Your local Council has Sheltered Schemes where people can live independently but enjoy the many extra services provided, including the support of a resident Scheme Manager.
• Sheltered ground floor accommodation
  Your local Council owns ground floor flats and bungalows which are directly linked to the mobile control centre and are allocated to people who are elderly and/or disabled but who are still able to lead an independent life.
• Sheltered housing alarm system
  Alarm Systems for elderly and disabled people living in Council properties is a two way speech communication system which links them to the Control Centre which is staffed 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Clients can make a call to the Control Centre by pressing a pendant, which can be worn around the neck.

Financial Help

• Direct payment
  Direct payments are cash payments made to people who have been assessed as needing help from Social Services to help them to live at home. Instead of Social Services arranging services for them, people can choose to arrange their own services using their direct payment. Direct payments are for people who like more independence and control over how the support they require is arranged and who are able to manage the payments on their own or with help from another person.
• Council tax reduction
  Under current council tax legislation disabled people can apply for a reduction in their Council Tax.

Transport

• Highways access
  The Council has a responsibility to improve highway access for disabled people. This includes action such as dropped kerbs and footpaths, laying tactile paving and designated parking bays for disabled people and signs in public car parks.
• Car badges
  The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers. The scheme also applies to registered blind people, and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand. It allows badge holders to park close to their destination, but the national concessions apply only to on-street parking.
• Community cars
  The Community Car Scheme arranges for local volunteers who use their own cars to transport elderly and disabled people when suitable public transport is not available. For more information contact your local Dial-a-Ride Service.
• Community transport
  A variety of community and voluntary transport projects have been established in recent years to provide transport to elderly and disabled people who are unable to use conventional bus services. For more information contact your local Dial-a-Ride Service.
• Dial-a-Ride
  Dial-a-Ride is a book-in-advance door-to-door transport service for people who cannot use public transport because of their disability. The vehicles are equipped with tail lifts. A charge is made towards the cost of transport and bookings need to be made 24 hours in advance. For more information contact your local Dial-a-Ride Service.
• Private transport
  Information about taxis and minibuses, which are fully accessible for disabled people, is available from your local Disability Service.

Telephones

• Installation
  Social Services may be able to assist with the installation costs of a telephone, subject to an assessment of need. If you have a disability, live alone and require a telephone for medical reasons contact your local Access Team.