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Disabled people suffering from ‘hidden housing crisis’, warns charity

Problems finding accessible homes are leaving disabled people housebound and damaging their mental health, a charity has warned.

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Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
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Disabled people suffering from ‘hidden housing crisis’, warns charity #ukhousing

A survey by disabled services charity Leonard Cheshire found that 68% of disabled adults with mobility issues said they did not have a bathroom large enough to fit a wheelchair in their home, while 51% said they could not move around their kitchen in a wheelchair.

And 73% of these respondents said they did not have light switches and other controls that can be operated from a sitting position.

Four in 10 (41%) who have had difficulty finding accessible homes said this has had a negative impact on their physical and mental health.

Leonard Cheshire said the research showed that more needs to be done to provide accessible homes.


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Neil Heslop, chief executive of Leonard Cheshire, said: “Nobody should be made to feel trapped and hopeless within their own home.

“Disabled people have been largely forgotten in the housing priorities of local and national government. This must change given the dire consequences this is clearly having on people’s lives. Often only relatively small adaptations can make a huge difference.

“Government and local authorities must wake up to the housing crisis disabled people are facing, and ensure there is proper provision of homes that meet their needs.”

The survey, carried out by ComRes, was answered by more than 1,600 disabled adults, with 430 asked specifically about housing.

It follows a report by the Equality and Human Right Commission last month, which found disabled people are being left trapped in unsuitable homes.

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