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many and varied. Aids, appliances, adaptations and alterations
may benefit some but for many the only answer is rehousing in
specially designed and equipped accommodation. Awareness
of this need was shown by the London Borough of Havering
some three years ago with the provision of one 3 bedroomed
bungalow, one 3 bedroomed groundfloor flat and two 1 bedroomed
groundfloor flats. The scheme was the responsibility of the
Borough Architect working in close co-operation with the Medical
Officer of Health and the Housing Department.
The flats were designed for use by families with a disabled
member, particularly the housewife but the special facilities
included do not decrease the ease with which the accommodation
may be used by able members of the family. The principle
consideration in planning was the general increase in all areas
to provide adequate manoeuvreing space for a wheelchair. Level
non-slip floor surfaces, lower level work-tops in kitchens, lower
baths and the provision of shower units. All central heating and
electric sockets are set in easy accessible positions to be
operated from a wheelchair if need be. The entrance to each
flat is ramped and thresholds are absent from doorways. Internal
doorways are often sliding with a clear opening of2ft.llins.
Suitable rails are provided around toilets and provision for
overhead hoists are taken into account. A large garage or carport
is provided close to the entrance of the flat so that the
physically handicapped person has easy accessibility. The
garage or car-port is usually 9 ft. wide so that the wheelchair
can be operated in or out of a vehicle without difficulty. Three
of the purpose-built dwellings were completed in 1968 and
families with a physically handicapped member have moved in
and are finding this type of accommodation most satisfactory.
The other dwelling will be completed early in 1969 and will be
let to a young disabled housewife and her husband. Profiting
from this first experience another project of five 1 bedroomed
groundfloor flats and two 2 bedroomed groundfloor flats is now
under way and should be completed by 1970. The value of this
accommodation to the disabled has been proved. Independence
and ease of circulation lessens their handicap and they become
more of a person to family and friends.
(b) Adaptations to existing houses
During 1968 by close co-operation between Architects
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