National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

• An understanding of the remaining requirement / need for wheelchair accessiblestandards, once off specific needs and accessible housing, including the requirementsof children with specific design needs.8.27 A consideration of the concept of lifetime housing policy should take account of theneed to provide housing to meet the existing and changing needs of most households atdifferent stages of life, without imposing undue costs on the general population, particularlyin the context of the current economic climate. The most appropriate methods ofimplementation would also need to be established, be it via incentivisation, funding orregulatory methods. It is recommended that consultation by DECLG on these mattersshould commence at an early date.8.28 It is important to acknowledge that the concept of lifetime housing is a long-termstrategy for new buildings and, therefore, would need to be complemented with continuedsupports to facilitate the access needs of people in existing housing.8.29 The design of wheelchair accessible housing has been influenced by the increaseduse of powered wheelchairs and other equipment such as hoists within the home and by therecommended design approach of planning, advocated by some stakeholders, for bothimmediate and future access requirements as people age or as a condition progresses.Many of the wheelchairs used within the home are of significant size and, therefore, requiregreater space within the home and its environs. Similarly, people who may require the useof a hoist to be lifted will require adequate space for safe operation of the hoist. Storagespace is also required for wheelchair users as many will have both motorised and manualoperated wheelchairs.8.30 The NDA has issued guidelines for the built and external environment in a publicationentitled Building for Everyone. These guidelines show how to design, make and managebuildings and external environments to support inclusion, access and usability by everybody.The guidance, which was first published in 2002, is currently being updated and is due to bepublished in 2011.Provision of Accessible Social Housing8.31 There are a number of people with disabilities for whom the provisions of lifetimehousing would not be sufficient and who will continue to require higher access designstandards and, sometimes, specifically designed housing to meet their needs, e.g. thosewith significant or multiple disabilities who may require the provision of special aids oradaptations, for example, powered wheelchairs. Housing authorities currently developaccommodation to meet these specific needs on a case by case basis for people who qualifyfor social housing.93