Aids and Equipment
If your child would benefit from specialist equipment or other aids, these should be identified by the health, social services or another children’s services team who is supporting your child. In each case it is important that you are told who has responsibility to provide it and details of who to contact should any problems arise.
While some aids and equipment may be provided by statutory services, there are several organisations that provide information about different models/types that are on the market. In some cases, these organisations may also provide the equipment directly.
Assistive technologies are products and services that empower disabled people to become more independent. Under the Equality Act 2010, assistive technology is recognised as a ‘reasonable adjustment’ which should be made available to prevent discrimination in a wide variety of contexts. The term covers a diverse range of technologies from wheelchairs and walking sticks to environmental controls which enable users to operate door openers, computers and other household appliances with a single accessible device.
Navigating the specialist equipment and technology market
Specialist aids and equipment and assistive technology can be purchased directly from suppliers. However, it can be difficult to choose between products or even know what is available. The following websites have been designed to provide buyers with a starting place in their search for suitable products.
Independent Living
Independent Living provides a website and a catalogue containing a full range of aids to support daily living, mobility and independence. It also offers a free weekly newsletter on the latest developments in independent living.
Living Made Easy
Living Made Easy is an advice and information website and part of Shaw Trust. The charity was previously known as the Disabled Living Foundation. The website aims to provide comprehensive and impartial information about daily living equipment.
Helpline: 0300 999 0004
Useful charities
Newlife
Newlife helps disabled and terminally ill children in the UK by providing equipment to help individual children, as well as providing nurse led information, service and funding research. They have a special ‘Just Can’t Wait’ equipment service for families of terminally ill children.
Helpline: 0800 902 0095
Whizz-Kidz
Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children with customised mobility equipment, training, advice and life skills and gives them the independence to be themselves.
Tel: 020 7233 6600
Email: info@whizz-kidz.org.uk
AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a charity dedicated to helping disabled people access digital technology at home and in education and the workplace. It provides a range of free services to disabled people and their families, friends, carers and employers.
Helpline: 0300 180 0028
Email: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
Disabled Living
Disabled Living is a charity which provides impartial information about equipment (assistive technology) and services for disabled adults, children, older people and the professionals who support them.
Tel: 0161 214 4590
Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk
ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence)
ERIC’s Helpline service provides support for children, parents and professionals who deal with childhood continence issues.
Helpline: 0808 801 0343 (Monday to Thursday, 10am – 2pm)
The Sequal Trust
The Sequal Trust fundraises on behalf of its members to provide communication aids, which can be in the form of a specialised computer system, voice synthesiser to relay pre-recorded messages, and many other items of communication equipment. They also maintain, repair and update equipment as necessary.
Tel: 01691 624 222
Email: info@thesequaltrust.org.uk
Useful commercial providers
The British Healthcare Trade Association (BHTA)
The BHTA is the UK’s largest association of companies that manufacture and sell assistive technology. Its members work in a wide variety of assistive technology fields including wheelchairs, stairlifts, orthotics and communication aids. Companies registered with the association can be found on the ‘Find a Member’ section of its website, which can be a useful way of locating reputable suppliers.
Tel: 020 7702 2141
Email: info@bhta.com
Inclusive Technology
Inclusive Technology is an online retailer that specialises in providing computer access equipment and software for disabled users. Its catalogue includes switches and other computer access devices, communication aids, eyegaze, and educational assistive technology for people with physical, sensory and learning impairments.
Tel: 01457 819 790
Email: inclusive@inclusive.co.uk
Government schemes that are there to support you
The government runs a number of services and programmes to assist those needing housing adaptations or specialist equipment. In most cases they provide access to expert assessors and finance both the acquisition and maintenance of the equipment supplied.
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) are administered by local councils and aim to finance changes to a disabled person’s home to make the residence more accessible. You must be assessed for these grants by a trusted assessor. For children under 18 this is likely to be their physiotherapist or occupational therapist. This can include widening doors and improving access to rooms, installing ramps and adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to operate. The DFG is means-tested, based on household income and savings for adults. Children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. The maximum amount of funding available varies by region. It is not available in Scotland.
Further information
England and Wales:
www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants/overview
Northern Ireland: