Equipment and Adaptations for People with Physical Disabilities

How the Occupational Therapy and Moving and Handling Team may be able to help you

The team provides equipment and recommends adaptations to increase or maintain your independence or to help the person who cares for you.

• How do you qualify for equipment and adaptations?
• Equipment
  - What happens after the assessment?
  - What happens when equipment is delivered?
  - Do you have to pay for equipment?
  - What if your circumstances change?
  - What if your equipment becomes faulty?
  - How do you return equipment?
  - Where can you get further information on equipment?
• Adaptations
  - What is an adaptation?
  - Will the adaptation cost you anything?
  - How will the adaptation be organised?
  - Points to consider
• Comments, suggestions and complaints

How do you qualify for equipment and adaptations?

You must live in Tameside and be substantially and permanently disabled by illness, injury or birth. You may contact Adult Services yourself or someone may contact us on your behalf with your consent. For example, this could be a relative, friend or GP.

The Occupational Therapy and Moving and Handling Team will discuss your situation with you and decide how your needs can be met. This is an assessment. The service offered will depend on the severity of your disability and how to affects your independence in your home.

Equipment

What happens after the assessment?

If we decide that Tameside Adult Services can provide you with equipment, we have to make sure it is suitable. For example, we may arrange:

• A demonstration of equipment during a home assessment visit or at Stalybridge Resource Centre
• A visit to the Disabled Living Centre in Manchester or Stockport to try different equipment (details below)
• A home demonstration carried out by a specialist supplier

The equipment will be issued by the Community Equipment Service.

We will order any specialised equipment which is not in stock.

What happens when equipment is delivered?

The equipment will be delivered, fitted and demonstrated for you. You will be asked to sign a form and be given a copy for your information. The equipment is for your sole use and should not be used by others. Where necessary, a copy of the instructions for use and maintenance is given.

Do you have to pay for equipment?

No. The equipment is on loan from the Community Equipment Service for as long as you need it and remains their property.

What if your circumstances change?

If your circumstances change, it may be necessary to review your assessment. Please contact Tameside Adult Services.

What if your equipment becomes faulty?

If your equipment becomes faulty, stop using it and contact the Community Equipment Service on 0161 339 1980 or send a fax to 0161 330 6524

How do you return equipment?

When you no longer need the equipment please contact the Community Equipment Service on 0161 339 1980 or send a fax to 0161 330 6524.

Where can you get further information on equipment?

Please contact one of the Disabled Living Centres which have a wide range of equipment on display. It is advisable to make an appointment before visiting:

• Disabled Living Centre - Redbank House, 4 St Chads Street, Manchester M8 8QA | Telephone No: 08707 601 580
  Open: Monday - Friday: 10.00am to 3.30pm
• Direct equipment helpline: 0161 839 8383
  Open: Mon-Fri 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Independent Living Centre - Unit 2, Kennedy Way, Green Lane Industrial Estate, Stockport. SK4 2JT | Telephone No: 0161 426 5354
  Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.00am to 4.00pm

Adaptations

What is an adaptation?

After your assessment, we may decide you need an adaptation.

There are two types:

• Minor adaptations
  These may include grab rails, stair rails and other small works.
• Major adaptations
  These are larger alterations. These may include ramps, stairlifts, bathroom alterations and wider doors for wheelchair access.

Will the adaptation cost you anything?

We provide minor adaptations free.

Major adaptations are funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which the Adaptations Unit (part of Tameside Housing Renewal Services) administers. Central Government funds the grant which is subject to various conditions. These include your ability to pay towards the cost of the work. You will need to provide details of your income to the Adaptations Unit so they can calculate how much you will have to contribute.

If you prefer to organise your own Disabled Facilities Grant rather than use the services of the Adaptations Unit, they will give you a grant application form and advice on how to apply.

Grants cannot be paid retrospectively. It will not be possible to have adaptations done and then apply for a grant.

How will the adaptation be organised?

For all adaptations where the property is not owner-occupied, it is necessary to get the approval from the relevant Housing Association or landlord before any work can be organised.

Minor Adaptations

For minor adaptations a member of the Community Occupational nad Moving and Handling Team will complete the necessary paperwork and place an order for the work. This will be done by an approved contractor.

Major adaptations

The following guidelines apply:

• If there is a structural adaptation needed, it may be necessary to find out whether it is technically possible to do the work in your property before we proceed further.
• Initially the Adaptations Unit will look at your financial situation to see whether it is advisable to go ahead with a formal application for a grant. They will discuss with you whether it is worth applying and if so your application will be placed on a waiting list. Applications for the DFG are prioritised and they will keep you informed as to when you can expect support.
• When you are at the top of the waiting list, a member of staff from the Adaptations Unit will contact you for a formal DFG application to be made. You will need to supply:
  - Proof of title of property
  - Details of your income
• If for any reason you do not qualify for a grant or feel you cannot afford your contribution, we will discuss alternatives with you.

Points to consider

There is a high demand for adaptations. The cost of a major adaptation can be high and we expect that users of the service will consider the following points carefully:

• People should stay in their property for a minimum of five years once a major adaptation has been provided unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• If you are considering moving house and you think you may apply for an adaptation, it is advisable to contact the Occupational Therapy and Moving and Handling Team. They can advise you on whether your new house would be suitable for a possible adaptation.
• Only one application for a major adaptation should be made unless special circumstances apply.
• With the exception of mechanical equipment such as stairlifts, the maintenance and repair of adaptations is your responsibility. In some circumstances it may be the responsibility of your landlord.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Occupational Therapy and Moving and Handling Team Tameside Adult Services Stalybridge Resource Centre Waterloo Road Stalybridge SK15 2AU View local map
0161 342 2400
0161 342 2460
0161 342 3602