Swindon Borough Council can assist in making the home of a person with a disability more suitable to live in and enable them to manage more independently. Assistance is available for both private home owners and council housing tenants.

Types of Adaptions

Adaptations may include such items as:

• Grab rails
• Lever taps
• Access ramps
• Stairlifts
• Showers

Equipment may also be provided.

Assessments

The need for adaptations is initially assessed by an occupational therapist (OT), who will identify any necessary and appropriate adaptations and equipment to meet your individual requirements.

This may also include the recommendation for tenants to be re-housed into more suitable accommodation. In some cases a building surveyor will also need to be consulted to ensure that the required alterations are structurally possible and financially viable.

Requests for OT assessments for adults with disabilities are administered by Joint Community Teams. The team you contact is dependent on which GP surgery you are registered with.

Costs

Depending on the cost of the adaptation, you may be required to make a financial contribution. This will depend on your financial position. Please see Disabled Facilities Grants.

Alternatively, please telephone your Joint Community Team.

Because of the number of referrals received by the occupational therapists, each case is currently prioritised. You may be required to provide further information by telephone, or on a self assessment form.

Minor Adaptations to Council-owned Properties

Council tenants may request minor adaptations, eg: for an additional handrail on the stairs, directly with Housing Services. Larger adaptations will not be carried out without an OT assessment and recommendation.

For more details please contact the Welfare Adaptions Surveyor on 01793 464433.

Further Information

See also the Property Adaptations page in the Housing section.