Disabled persons Health Dictionary

Disabled persons in the United Kingdom have a range of services and ?nancial support available to help them to lead as normal and active a life as possible. O?cially, the disabled include those with signi?cant impairment of any kind, including impairment of sight and hearing, learning diffculties, and chronic illness as well as disablement due to accidents and the like.

Social services are provided by local-authority social-services departments. They include: practical help in the home (usually through home helps or aids to daily living); assistance in taking advantage of available educational facilities; help with adaptations to the disabled person’s house; provision of meals (‘Meals on Wheels’ or luncheon centres); and help in obtaining a telephone. Many of these facilities will involve the disabled person in some expense, but full details can be obtained from the local social-services department which will, if necessary, send a social worker to discuss the matter in the disabled person’s home. Owing to lack of funds and sta?, many local-authority social-services departments are unable to provide the full range of services.

Aids to daily living There is now a wide range of aids for the disabled. Full details and addresses of local o?ces can be obtained from: Disabled Living Foundation and British Red Cross.

Aids to mobility and transport Some car manufacturers make specially equipped or adapted cars, and some have o?cial systems for discounts. Details can be obtained from local dealers. Help can also be obtained from Motability, which provides advice.