Northern Ireland Trailblazers Inclusion Now campaign.

16
www.trailblazersmuscular-dystrophy.org
Housing
After college or university, many young people – disabled and
non-disabled – want to move away from home and begin a
new chapter of their lives. Obtaining barrier-free, accessible
accommodation is a key component for young disabled people
to be able to live independently. 17
Statistics provided by the Foundation for Lifetime Homes and Neighbourhoods show that
more than 40 percent of young disabled people aged 16 to 24 are living in accommodation
that does not meet their needs. 18
Trailblazers in Northern Ireland share their experiences when attempting to move away
from home:
I rented a place in Bangor about seven years ago, through the Northern Ireland
Institute for Disabled People and from there we bought a bungalow in Bangor.
It didn’t need many adaptations but a friend helped put up a ramp. We made a
few changes, so now the doors are hung the other way, to allow more space. Our
bungalow has two bathrooms and two showers accessible for me with grab rails etc!
Alistair Carlisle
We found it hard going from renting to buying somewhere. We went from a flat to a
bungalow, which was of course more expensive than anything. When we bought the
house, I couldn’t get into the house through the front or back. Alan, my partner, used
to bump me in with my manual wheelchair, and we had a makeshift ramp. I didn’t
feel very independent at all. When we tried to get some help with adaptations, the
ramp the housing executive made was completely inappropriate as it was so steep.
But we have sorted it out now.
Frances Ashe
Julianne Gribbon shares her story:
I live in a ground-floor apartment in Belfast. I bought the apartment as a new build.
This therefore enabled me to have every room set up as I required. It used to be a
dairy and bakery and was ideal for me as it had two very large bedrooms, a living
room, a kitchen and a large bathroom. My front door has an electric-arm opening
mechanism and is activated by a remote control fob. When I arrive at my front door I
can open the door by pressing the fob. This electronic mechanism was provided by
the Belfast Health Care Trust.
“My kitchen has lowered work surfaces, with space underneath the worktops to allow
me to wash the dishes and use the cooker. I also have a raised surface in the kitchen
for someone to use, standing, if they need to. My oven is set at a lower level and is
side-opening so I can cook. My washing machine is raised, which is brilliant, as I can
put my washing in easily. I have to say I love my kitchen as I am able to do so many
17
Nocon and Pleace, 1998, p.361.
18
www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/pages/why.html