Council refutes claims it is failing disabled people

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 1 Jul 2009 14:44 3 Comments

A NATIONAL organisation representing disabled people claims Clackmannanshire Council has grossly underestimated the number of people in the county with a disability.

And Inclusion Scotland claims the local authority is failing to provide enough accessible housing which meets the needs of disabled people.

But the council"s regeneration portfolio holder, Councillor Sam Ovens, has rubbished Inclusion Scotland"s claim that around 10,000 people living in the county are disabled - more than double the council"s estimate of 4800.

Inclusion Scotland, which compiled its report using information gathered under Freedom of Information, says the council provided a poor estimation of the number of disabled people living in the county.

It also says that Clackmannanshire was the only council which could not provide information on how many adapted properties they have available.

And it states that the council admitted there were no disabled people involved in the first stages of setting its Local Housing Strategy and that only one disabled person was involved in the later stages.

However, the council was praised for identifying the housing needs of disabled people, with estimates for 2007/08 showing there were 198 people waiting for adapted housing.

Inclusion Scotland also noted that a housing association was currently constructing 15 wheelchair accessible homes in the county, and praised the council"s policy of not removing adaptations from homes, although one adaption was removed in 2006 at a cost of £1042.

Dr Ann Wilson, convener of Inclusion Scotland said, 'There is a real shortfall of accessible homes.

'A partnership between local and national government and housing providers is urgently needed to meet disabled people"s needs. 

'We need to ensure that disabled people have homes that they can actually live in.'

Rev. Ovens, however, refuted much of Inclusion Scotland"s findings.

He told the Advertiser, 'To say that 20 per cent of the county"s population - meaning 10,000 people - have a physical disability which would require adapted housing is erroneous.

'The council"s estimate of 4800 is reliable, accurate and trusted.'

Rev. Ovens said that a particular housing needs assessment was carried out as part of the Local Housing Strategy and this included a huge amount of consultation with tenants including hundreds of older people and people with disabilities.

He continued, 'Part of this consultation included an open forum meeting which was attended by tenants, including one tenant with a disability.

'The council is currently working on creating a database listing all adapted properties, as details of many of the adaptations carried out years ago are on paper files.'

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This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 02 Jul 09

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• 

  Gary Robertson
  Unregistered User
  Jul 2, 11:27
  Report comment

  So, Inclusion Scotland decides to condemn Clakcmannanshire Council in public due to reports they have.
  
  The Council has done an excellent job with the strict finances they have, especially in dealing with housing. The council have done their best for both people with disability and those who do not have a disability. If Inclusion Scotland thinks that a lot more needs to be done, then let them come forward to the local councillors and advise them and let them help find the extra funding for this. Otherwise, be quiet and let the council get on with their job.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  james k
  Unregistered User
  Jul 2, 20:20
  Report comment

  I agree The council are failing disabled people poor housing and the O.T department is a joke I have freind who had the new kitchens done and was told by a member of the O.T department that they could not have the kitchen designed round them as they were not the main cook in the house so they now cant use the kitchen as they have no access so when the partner wants to go out for the day the disabled person is marooned no drinks of tea or worse in this weather they cant go and get a drink of water they have no access to the kitchen so the council ar out of touch with disabled peoples needs in all areas , time for a rethink in all housing policies
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  dave smart
  Unregistered User
  Jul 2, 20:22
  Report comment

  Disgusting it this is how disabled people are treated with the councils occupational therapist department so why cant disabled people share cooking in the house ??
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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