Housing resources

Organisations in the UK

Centre for Accessible Environments
Nutmeg House
60 Gainsford Street
London
SE1 2NY

Tel: 020 7357 8182
E-mail: info@cae.org.uk
Website: www.cae.org.uk

Information and advisory service on design and technical matters. National register of architects with experience of adaptations design and the Disability Discrimination Act.

Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs)
These are small, locally-based not-for-profit organisations. They help homeowners and private sector tenants who are older, disabled or on a low income to repair, improve, maintain or adapt their homes.

Foundations
The national co-ordinating body for HIAs.

Bleaklow House
Howard Town Mill
Glossop
Derbyshire
SK13 8HT

Tel: 01457 891909
E-mail: foundations@cel.co.uk
Website: www.foundations.uk.com

Foundations has produced a series of booklets on different aspects of housing for disabled people. Available free of charge from Foundations.

HoDis
The national co-ordinating body of Disabled Persons Housing Services (DPHS).

HoDis
17 Priory Street
York
YO1 6ET

Tel: 01904 653888
E-mail: info@hodis.org.uk
Website: www.hodis.org.uk

HoDis campaigns for better housing for disabled people and supports two types of services at local level – DPHS, which is a type of home improvement agency, and Disability Housing Registers (DHRs). DHRs consist of a database of accessible (purpose-built and adapted) property; a register of disabled people who require accessible housing; and a service to match people to available property.

Shelter
88 Old Street
London EC1V 9HU
Tel: 020 7505 4699 (office hours)
Freephone advice line: 0808 800 4444 8am to midnight all year round
E-mail: info@shelter.org.uk
Website: www.shelter.org.uk

Shelter runs a free advice line and has locally-based housing aid centres providing advice and advocacy for people with housing problems.

Disabled Parents Network (DPN)
Tel: 0870 241 0450 (helpline/general contact number.)
E-mail: information@ DisabledParentsNetwork.org.uk
Website: www.DisabledParentsNetwork.org.uk

You may find it useful to exchange ideas and experiences with other disabled parents via DPN's web-based discussion forum. DPN has written a series of information briefings for disabled parents (DPN 2005). The briefings Services and Contacts and publications include useful information about disabled parents and housing. Available from DPN.

DPPI
Runs a UK Information Service for disabled parents and professionals, offering information on organisations and resources, specific conditions, equipment/childcare strategies and peer support networks.

Organisations in the USA

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
University-based, non-profit organisation dedicated to promote independent living for people of all ages and abilities.
Website: www.homemods.org

Adaptive Environments
Promotes accessibility as well as universal design through education programmes, technical assistance, training, consulting, publications and design advocacy. Website: www.adaptenv.org

Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST
Provides up-to-date information on compliance with the Fair Housing Amendments Act, national training plus other design and construction technical assistance.

Website: www.fairhousingfirst.org

Center for Universal Design
National research, information and technical assistance centre that evaluates, develops and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products.

Website: www.design.ncsu.edu/cud

US Access Board
A federal agency committed to accessible design.

Website: www.access-board.gov

Further reading

Department of Health. 2001. A practical guide for disabled people or carers: where to find information, services and equipment. London: Department of Health. Free of charge. Order from DH Publications doh@prolog.uk.com or view at: http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/disabledguide/

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). 2004. Delivering housing adaptations for disabled people: a good practice guide. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Free of charge. Order from ODPM Publications odpm@twoten.press.net or view at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_032628.hcsp

Toms-Barker L and Maralani V. 1997. Challenges and strategies of disabled parents: findings from a national survey of parents with disabilities. Through the Looking Glass. Can be ordered (cost US$25) from Through the Looking Glass website: www.lookingglass.org Reviewed in DPPi journal, issue 21, January 1998.

Wates, M. 1997. Disabled parents: dispelling the myths. Radcliffe Medical Press and National Childbirth Trust. Copies free to disabled parents from DPPI (please send postage costs).

Wates, M. 2003. It shouldn't be down to luck: a consultation with disabled parents. Summary (RTF). Full report (PDF). Copies can be ordered from DPPi. Cost: £20 (including P&P).

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