National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

Chapter 11 Information, Advice andAdvocacyIntroduction11.1 Information, advice and advocacy services are identified as crucial in meeting thehousing needs of people with disabilities 114 . Having access to comprehensive and accurateinformation enables people to make fully informed decisions regarding their housing options.This enables people to plan for their future need and changing circumstances, thereby,helping to avoid crisis decision making. Without access to appropriate information, peoplemay feel that they do not have any control over their housing choices and may not feel fullyinvolved in the decision making process.11.2 Many people with disabilities report difficulties in accessing information and advice interms of housing and are often unaware of the supports available to them. As some peoplewith disabilities require specific and tailored supports to enable them to access and sustainhousing, information may need to be sought from a wide variety of agencies and sources.Gathering this level of information can be a time consuming and challenging job, which canbe further exacerbated by an individual’s particular disability. People faced with the onset ofa disability may not be in a position to manage the information gathering process and mayrequire assistance in this regard. Furthermore, people with, for example, sensorydisabilities, may also face additional challenges in accessing information and advice inappropriate and accessible formats.Housing Advice11.3 People with disabilities require housing advice and information under the followingbroad headings:• Accessing suitable housing when leaving the family home or residential care;• Adapting existing housing to suit individual need;• Moving to more suitable accommodation to suit changing circumstances;• Homelessness or risk of homelessness; and• The range of supports required to maintain appropriate housing.11.4 More specifically, this will include information and advice in respect of:• Needs assessment criteria;114The Right Living Space – Housing and Accommodation Needs of People with Disabilities (Social Policy Series,2007) (Citizens Information Board and Disability Federation of Ireland).136136