Are you disabled and having problems safely accessing the facilities within your home?
A wide range of help is available to support people with disabilities to live more independently in their own homes.
Are you or someone who lives with you, having problems getting around your home or managing everyday tasks because of a disability, long term illness or because you are getting older? Are you registered or registerable disabled?
We can help you to choose options that give you independence and make you feel more confident.
There are several ways we can help depending on your needs and the type of property you live in.
Equipment and Minor Adaptations
Often day to day tasks can be made easier by the use of simple equipment. Occupational Therapists work with people with disabilities to help them overcome the effect their particular disability has on everyday living. This can include providing advice about minor adaptations or advice about the provision of equipment. This could include grab rails, stair rails, lever taps, small ramps and minor alterations to bathrooms and kitchens. Contact Dorset Country Council, Adult Services or Dorset County Council, Childrens Services for more information.
A wide range of equipment is available for demonstration purposes.
Finding a more suitable home
If you think your current home is no longer suitable, adapting it may not always be the best solution. There may be other homes already adapted or more suitable for adaptation that would suit your needs. Moving home is a big decision. Housing Options Services have been developed across most of Dorset to provide older and disabled people with the information, specialist advice and practical support that they need to enable them to make informed choices about whether to move to a more suitable house or to stay in their existing home.
You may also wish to consider making an application for a more suitable housing association home that is already adapted or more suitable for adaptation. Councils across Dorset manage the waiting lists for housing association properties. To be considered for a housing association home you need to make a housing application Your Occupational Therapist will be able to support you with making an application for more suitable housing.
Major Adaptations
If your home needs a major or complex adaptation, a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can be used to pay for a range of adaptations to ensure that you have access to facilities within your home.
The grant is provided by your District or Borough Council, who work closely with Occupational Therapists at Dorset County Council. At the start of the process an Occupational Therapist will work with you to assess what would help you. Sometimes they may recommend equipment rather than an adaptation as this may suit your needs better and can be arranged quickly.
The grants are means tested (except in the case of a grant for a disabled child), so depending on the disabled person's income and savings, they may have to contribute towards the cost of the work.
If you are a Housing Association tenant your landlord may also set aside funds each year to pay for adaptations.
What is the grant available for?
DFGs are available for:
- Making it easier to get in and out of the home e.g. ramps
- Making it easier to get around the home and access to their bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen e.g. door widening or stairlift
- Help the disabled person to care for another person
- Making it easier to use the toilet, bath or shower e.g. installing a shower rather than a bath
- To provide safe access to a part of an outdoor space e.g. garden
- Making it safer to prepare and cook food e.g. lower food preparation surface
- Improving or providing a suitable heating system
- Helping to control lighting, power or heating e.g. by relocating controls.
Who can apply?
Owner occupiers and tenants can apply for a DFG. You can also apply for a grant for a disabled person who lives with you or a disabled child.
What happens if I'm not eligible for a grant to carry out the adaptation work?
You may decide to pay for the work yourself. Home Improvement Agencies across Dorset can provide you with help and advice about the solutions that are best for you.
Can I do the work myself?
Yes. If you are a tenant you will need to get the permission of your landlord first, before starting any work. Home Improvement Agencies across Dorset can provide you with help and advice about the best solutions. They can help organise the work and help appointing trustworthy contractors.
Can I try the equipment out first, before deciding what to do?
Yes. Examples of level access showers, stairlifts and a wide range of equipment is available for demonstration purposes at the following locations:
For more information see the attached leaflet
Greenwood Information Leaflet (pdf, 368kb) (opens in a new window) 
.
- Hanham Independent Living Centre, Wimborne.
For more information see the attached leaflet.
110301 Hanham Centre Leaflet (pdf, 218kb) (opens in a new window)
- Disability Equipment Centre, Sturminster Newton. Viewing is by appointment only, please contact (01258) 472652.
How do I make an enquiry for help?
We have produced a simple leaflet
Disabled Facilities Grant - Leaflet (pdf, 607kb) (opens in a new window) which outlines the first steps in applying for a DFG.
The first step in applying for a DFG is to contact Dorset County Council Social Care Adult Services or Children Services who can be contacted on:
Children Services (Occupational Therapy)
Where can I get further information?
Further 'on-line' information is available from
First Stop (opens in a new window)
