Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2004): Services for the Disabled - UK

THE HEALTH OUTCOMES OF HOUSING ADAPTATIONS

F. Heywood

Disability and Society, Vol. 19, 2004, p.129-143

In 1999-2000 research was carried out with recipients of housing adaptations in England and Wales, to discover if these had achieved their objectives. The research showed that unadapted housing caused pain, depression and fear of accidents for disabled people and back injuries, falls and stress for carers. Evidence was found that housing adaptations can improve the mental and physical health of both disabled people and their carers.

HOW SUPPORTIVE ARE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DIRECT PAYMENT USERS

S. Stevens

Community Living, Vol. 17, No. 3, 2004, p.20-21

Describes how a competent support agency can help disabled people manage direct payments. Services offered include payroll and recruitment support, advocacy, information and advice and peer support.

QUALITY OF LIFE AND DISABILITY: AN APPROACH FOR COMMUNITY PRACTITIONERS

I. Brown and R.I. Brown

London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2004

Quality of life - physical, psychological and environmental well-being - is a crucial consideration for professionals working with people with a disability. The authors of this book have applied ideas about quality of life to the field of disability. They use recent studies to show how the development of quality of life approaches has led to changes in rehabilitation, and how an understanding of the issue can inform practice in assessment, intervention, management and policy.