EP - 6

Summary

In this episode, Ruth Hunter speaks with Sandra Bentley, an accessibility advocate with a spinal cord injury, about her journey navigating the Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt her home. Sandra shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the importance of autonomy in design, the role of occupational therapists, and the complexities of funding and VAT related to home adaptations. They discuss the need for policy change in accessible housing and the importance of educating developers and policymakers to create universally designed homes that meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of ability.

Takeaways

Chapters

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

EP - 5

Summary

In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Katy Deacon shares her journey as a chartered engineer and her personal experiences with accessibility challenges due to multiple sclerosis. She discusses the importance of inclusive design in engineering, her efforts to modify her home for accessibility, and the financial and emotional hurdles she faced.

Katy also highlights the role of benevolent funds in supporting individuals with disabilities and introduces her company, Towards Belonging, which aims to bridge the gap between the disabled community and the engineering industry. She concludes with an exciting project involving AI in design software to promote accessibility in architecture.

Accessibility must be a priority in engineering design.

00:00 Introduction to Katy Deacon's Journey

Keywords

accessible housing, engineering, disability, inclusivity, personal experience, home modifications, benevolent funds, Towards Belonging, AI in design, accessibility challenges

Contact for Katy Deacon

www.towardsbelonging.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-deacon

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

EP- 4

Summary

In this conversation, Ruth Hunter speaks with Charles Van Berkel, founder of AbleStays, about the importance of accessible holiday accommodation. They discuss the challenges faced in creating inclusive spaces, the financial hurdles in the accessible housing market, and the need for collaboration to improve accessibility in tourism. Charles shares his journey in establishing AbleStays and the vision for expanding accessible housing solutions internationally.

Takeaways

Accessible holiday accommodation is crucial for inclusion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing and AbleStays

Contact for Charles van Berckel

[email protected]

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

Ep - 3

Summary

In this episode, Ruth Hunter interviews Laura Wood, co-founder of Invisible Creations, discussing the importance of inclusive design in housing. Laura shares her inspiration from her grandmother's struggles with mobility and how it led to the creation of aesthetically pleasing and functional adaptations for homes. The conversation covers the significance of future-proofing designs, the cost-effectiveness of early interventions, and the need to change societal perceptions of accessibility. Laura emphasises the importance of outdoor accessibility and the role of campaigning in promoting inclusive design solutions.

Takeaways

Chapters

Here is the link for the Fit for our Future campaign www.fitforourfuture.co.uk

Visit the websites www.invisiblecreations.co.uk and www.procare-ltd.co.uk for their products.

Email [email protected]

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

Ep - 2

Summary

In this conversation, Ruth Hunter and Elaine Hollerhead discuss the importance of accessible housing and universal design. Elaine shares her journey from occupational therapy to interior design, emphasising the need to change perceptions about accessible adaptations.

They explore the concept of the 'purple pound' and the financial power of the disabled community, while also addressing common misconceptions about the demand for accessible housing.

The discussion highlights the role of occupational therapists in the design process, the definition of universal design, and the importance of creating spaces that are functional yet aesthetically pleasing. They also touch on the challenges faced in the industry, the need for policy changes, and the potential market opportunities for accessible housing.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing

Contact Elaine Hollerhead

https://www.designate-uk.co.uk/

Telephone +44 117 3790049

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

Ep - 1

Summary

In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, host Ruth Hunter introduces the concept of accessible housing and the importance of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs).

She interviews Paul Smith, director of Foundations, who explains the DFG process, eligibility, and the role of landlords in facilitating adaptations for tenants with disabilities.

The conversation also covers the design aspects of accessible housing, emphasising the need for aesthetically pleasing adaptations that do not compromise on functionality. The episode concludes with a discussion on the benefits of investing in accessible adaptations for landlords and the potential for creating inclusive housing  solutions.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing Matters UK

Contact Paul Smith 

[email protected]

www.linkedin.com/paul-smith-63749b1a

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

In this short intro episode, host Ruth Hunter shares why this podcast was created, who it’s for, and what you can expect in upcoming episodes. If you're passionate about inclusive design, housing equity, or building a better future for everyone, you're in the right place.