National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

Chapter 8HousingPhysical Accessibility of8.1 Accessible housing is generally understood as dwellings which allow easier access forpeople with a disability, through specific design features, thus assisting them to live asindependently as possible. Accessible houses can either be initially designed or achieved bymodifying an existing house to suit the particular requirements of the occupant. Anadequate supply of physically accessible housing is a key component to enable people withcertain disabilities to live in the community and underpin individual opportunities forindependent living.8.2 On an individual basis the level of accessibility required will vary according to thenature of disability and particular preference. Modifications and adaptations to facilitate theaccess needs of people with a disability can include the provision of level thresholds, grabrails, ramps, hoists, wet rooms, larger living rooms and larger and additional bedroom(s),widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, reachable light switches, socket outlets and othercontrol boxes, etc. The provision of technology to assist people with visual or hearingimpairments, such as adapted door bells and smoke alarms, is a further means of facilitatingpeople with disabilities to live independently.Terminology8.3 Different terms are used to describe different levels of accessibility with some termsbeing used almost interchangeably and describing similar design briefs or similar designfeatures. Table 8.1 below is a description of some of the terms commonly used in this area.In this strategy the general term ‘accessible’ is understood to refer to housing which isaccessible for people with physical and/or sensory disabilities to live in.80 80