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

DELIVERING HOUSING ADAPTATIONS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE: A GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Education and Skills, and Department of Health.

London: ODPM, 2004

The guide provides a comprehensive checklist and advice to councils, particularly housing and social services departments, on how an efficient housing adaptations service can best be organised, as well as how it can be effectively delivered to meet the needs of the disabled person within a reasonable target time. There is also detailed advice on the operation of the Disabled Facilities Grant programme, which provides financial support for major adaptations.

DISABLED PEOPLE'S COSTS OF LIVING: "MORE THAN YOU WOULD THINK"

N. Smith and others

York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2004

Disabled people experience additional costs in most areas of everyday life, from major expenditure on equipment essential for independence to ongoing higher expenses for food, clothing, utilities and recreation. The weekly budget standards required for disabled people are as follows:

• £1,513 for a person with high-medium mobility and personal support needs;
• £448 for a person with intermittent or fluctuating needs;
• £389 for a person with low-medium needs;
• £1,336 for a person with needs arising from hearing impairment;
• £632 for a person with needs arising from visual impairment.

The weekly income of disabled people who are solely dependent on benefits is approximately £200 below the amount required for them to live in reasonable comfort.

PROMOTING RIGHTS OR AVOIDING LITIGATION? THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998 INTO ADULT SOCIAL CARE IN ENGLAND.

K. Ellis

European Journal of Social Work, vol.7, 2004, p.321-340

Rights to social care in England have traditionally been highly restricted. Rights to social welfare services are contingent on the fulfilment of responsibilities and disabled people are expected to avoid dependency wherever possible. Author argues that the Human Rights Act could become a lever to strengthen the individual's right to social care and to reinforce good practice in social work.