A range of equipment is available to help people with physical disabilities to live at home independently. In some cases, where providing equipment alone is not enough to enable a person to do this, adaptations to the home can be made, for example, a ramp for wheelchair access.
If you are assessed as needing adaptations to your home, the following are some examples of the adaptations that we can provide:
- Access Ramps
These enable a person who uses a wheelchair, or a carer of a person who uses a wheelchair, to get in and out of their home more easily.
- Level Access Showers
These are installed to replace a bath where a person is unable to use their own bath, even when specialist equipment is provided. Once the bath has been removed, a shower tray is then fitted in its place. These are generally considered to be unsuitable for a person who uses a wheelchair due to the shower tray having a lipped edge.
- Polyflor showers
These are for people who are unable to use their bath or unable to use a level access shower. Polyflor showers provide a level 'wetroom' so that a person with a disability can access a shower easily.
- Stairlifts
These are installed if a person finds it extremely difficult to climb stairs to access their bedroom or bathroom.
- Through-floor lifts
These are installed to enable a person who uses a wheelchair to get to rooms upstairs.
- Ceiling track hoist
This is a powered lifting mechanism attached to the ceiling, which can used by a carer to physically move a person safely in their home, for example, from a bed to a chair.
- House extensions
These can be provided in situations where there is no other means of the person with a disability accessing the upstairs facilities.
- Minor work
A range of minor adaptations may also be of help, such as grab rails or stair rails. All minor work is free of charge.
- Major adaptations
These are free of charge for a person who lives in a home which is rented from Wigan and Leigh Housing and who qualifies for disability equipment. Financial help for major adaptations in privately-owned or privately-rented property may be available through a 'Disabled Facilities Grant'.
- Disabled Facilities Grant
If you or someone living in your property has a disability, you may qualify for a 'Disabled Facilities Grant' towards the cost of providing adaptations and facilities to enable you or them to continue to live there. If you would like more information or would like to apply for a grant, please contact the Grant Assistant.
Eligibility to receive equipment is determined following an assessment of your personal needs. Everyone's needs are different, so the services offered to each person will be different.
