National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

5.41 The key issues identified from the research are:(a) Improve the accessibility of the housing stock which will lead to an improvement inthe supply of suitable accommodation for people with disabilities. The lack of physicallyaccessible accommodation can result in many units in the private rental sector, particularlyolder units, not being suitable for people with a physical disability, where specific design oraccessibility requirements are needed. Grant aid is available from housing authorities tofacilitate people with disabilities who wish to avail of private rented accommodation and whorequire adaptations to meet their needs 31 . Consideration should be given to how rentalaccommodation can be adapted in the most effective and efficient manner. For example,recycling of adaptations, such as stairlifts, and matching suitable tenants with accessiblehousing units, already takes place, on a limited basis, in some local authority areas and hasthe potential to be rolled out to other areas. In addition, leasing items, such as stairlifts,can prove a cost effective alternative to purchasing. In order to create a fuller picture of thenumbers and types of accessible properties in the private rental sector, consideration couldbe given to the collection of data on accessibility, by local authorities, undertakinginspections of standards in this sector. This could form part of a broader and morecoordinated approach to the carrying out of inspections, in line with the commitment in theProgramme for Government to introduce a single national building inspectorate service.This approach could be supplemented by encouraging letting agents to compile registers ofaccessible or adapted properties.(b) Improve information available to people with disabilities who are seeking privaterented accommodation. Some people with disabilities, particularly those without family oradvocacy support, may lack confidence and/or capacity to search for appropriate properties.The internet is an important search tool for people who are seeking private rentalaccommodation and some letting websites have provided tools to assist people withdisabilities in sourcing accommodation, i.e. through the inclusion of search options, such as“Wheelchair Access” and the provision of photographs of the accommodation. The furtherenhancement of such online searching tools 32 would be useful for landlords in providing amore detailed description of properties and would assist people with disabilities in sourcingthe most appropriate accommodation. In addition, property websites should ensure fullaccessibility for people with sensory disabilities through the utilisation of appropriatefeatures. In order to assist landlords in letting to people with disabilities, guidance shouldbe developed in relation to accessibility features of properties – this should also encompassadvice in relation to the use and enhancement of online searching tools. In this regard, the31The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant Schemes, which areadministered locally by housing authorities.32For example, the inclusion of a list of accessibility features such as wheelchair accessible bathroom, levelaccess shower, room for a hoist, etc.60 60