Categories
0 The 2022/23 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List
The 2022/23 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List is as follows... This long-awaited league table of the most inclusive employers in the UK finally shines a light on best practice across all strands of diversity – age, disability, gender, LGBT, race, faith, and religion.
0 Top 10 Product Adaptations for your Bathroom
An inclusively-designed bathroom or wet room, with appropriately specified equipment, has a host of benefits; from promoting independence and improving dexterity to assisting in the prevention of falls. Here at Accessibility Bathrooms we have come up with a go-to list of the top 10 products to adapt your bathroom. 1. Level Access Showering Enclosure Walk in baths are an option for independent living, but they tend to be expensive. Level access wet rooms are a more cost-effective alternative that removes any trip hazards for users and make the most of the space within the bathroom. A water tight wet room be created using high-quality wet room formers. 2. Grab Rails The most obvious way to reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom is to install grab rails. Grab rails need to be thoughtfully placed to suit the need of the user. It is important to also consider what objects someone may instinctively grab if they were to fall, radiators and shower rails are just some of the things that somebody falling may grab to help them. 3. Shower Seat A Shower seat lowers the likelihood of slips and falls by providing a comfortable position to shower in, sitting down. We believe shower seats should be sturdy, comfortable and secure. There are many different types of shower seats, for different needs. 4. Care Shower A Care shower offers unrivalled levels of safety, control and ease-of-use. Thermostatic control and a riser rail that doubles up as a grab rail are a must. Technical innovations such as a wireless remote control and Smartphone app, encourage independence. 5. Shower Screen When it comes to accommodating space, Accessibility Bathrooms we have so many different options in both glass and plastic at both full and half height. When it comes to glass screens our range can be tailored and adapted to fit any space in any sized room. 6. Low Surface Temperature Radiator Accessibililty Bathrooms offer LST (Low Surface Temperature) radiators that are cool to the touch however they are just as efficient as a conventional radiator. 7. Raised Height Toilet A raised height toilet with a drop-down rail make the process of getting on, off and using the toilet safer and more comfortable. 8. Wall Panels Wall panels fulfil all the requirements of tiles but with none of the stress. Our wall panels will fit beautifully into any bathroom, whatever the preferred style, leaving you able to design and create your ideal space. 9. LED Lighting Brighter is better, in bathrooms where mobility is an issue high levels of light reduce the risk of falling. Where ever possible try and leave the light on overnight, worried about high energy bills? If the latest in highly efficient LED lighting is used these worries can be put to rest. 10. Wash and Dry Toilet A wash and dry toilet can leave users feeling clean, fresh and improve their sense of well-being. The Geberit AquaClean 8000plus Care incorporates a simple to use shower, dryer and odour extraction. It provides an all-round cleaner, comfortable and more hygienic experience which is easy to operate and virtually touch-free. So, there you have it, our top 10 products!
Disabled Facilities Grants Overview You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home. For example, if you: are physically disabled. have a learning disability. have age-related needs. are autistic. have a cognitive impairment, like dementia. have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease. have a terminal illness. have a mental health condition. You might need to: widen doors and install ramps or grab rails. improve access to rooms and facilities, for example with a stairlift, or level access shower. improve access to your garden. build an extension, for example a downstairs bedroom. provide a heating system suitable for your needs. adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use. A Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits you get. What you'll get How much you get usually depends on your: household income household savings over £6,000 Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being considered. Contact your local council for more information. Landlords can get a grant without their income and savings being considered. The council may ask for the property to be let to another disabled person if the current tenant moves within 5 years. Country Grant England Up to £30,000 Wales Up to £36,000 Northern Ireland Up to £25,000 Some councils may give more. Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property. How you’ll be paid You’ll be paid either: in instalments, as the work progresses. in full, when the work is finished. The council may pay the contractor directly or give you a cheque to pass on to them. They’ll agree this with you when they approve your application. When you’ll be paid You’ll be paid either: when you and the council are happy with the finished work when you give the council the invoice, demand, or receipt for payment from the contractor. Eligibility To get a grant, you, or someone else living in the house must: be disabled. intend to live in the property during the grant period (usually 5 years but this can be shorter, for example, if the person is terminally ill) The person who submits the application must be either the: owner tenant landlord The council needs to be happy that the work is: necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs. reasonable and can be done, depending on the age and condition of the property. The work should be completed within 12 months of the grant being approved. How to apply Apply through your local council. The council may send an occupational therapist or trained assessor to see you. They’ll assess what changes you need to your home. Your council must give you a decision within 6 months. Help applying The government funds an organisation called Foundations who can help you to apply. foundations.uk.com Appeals You can appeal to your council if you’re unhappy with their decision. If you appeal and you’re still not happy, you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
Disability VAT Exemption Our customer care line has been receiving an increasing number of calls regarding VAT exemption on disability goods and services. There’s no doubt that VAT exemption can be confusing and much of that is because not all disability products and services are covered. In addition, quite often people are unsure of whether they are eligible for the exemption and if so, what do they need to do to prove their eligibility. In a small number of cases, there has been confusion or a dispute with a supplier as to whether a certain product is covered by the VAT exemption. To try and work through the maze of VAT exemption, we’ve put together a quick guide which highlights some of the main issues. In general, disabled people do not have to pay Value-Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services that are designed / or adapted solely for use by disabled people. These goods and services are often called ‘zero-rated’ or ‘eligible for VAT relief’. For the supplies of goods and services to be zero-rated, all the following conditions must be met: (more detail on the condition below) the customer is eligible to purchase supplies at the zero rate. the goods are for the personal or domestic use of the customer. the goods and services are eligible. Firstly, for the customer to be eligible to purchase VAT free goods and services their disability must qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if: you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness. you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes. you are terminally ill. This definition does not include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able-bodied or any person who is only temporarily disabled or incapacitated, such as with a broken limb. You don’t need HMRC’s permission to declare that you’re disabled or chronically sick and their advisers can’t tell you whether you’re disabled or chronically sick. If you’re not sure whether your condition means you’re chronically sick or disabled, you may wish to consult your doctor or other medical adviser. The next condition states that the goods are for the personal or domestic use of the customer. This means that the goods are made available specifically for the use of an individual disabled person. Similarly, any services purchased which apply specifically to disabled people are eligible for VAT relief. These include the repair and maintenance of disability equipment, disabled equipment hires and disabled home adaptations. You won’t have to pay VAT on building materials you buy which relate to certain building work that’s eligible for relief. How to claim? Accessibility has this in hand and one of our team will ensure that if you qualify for VAT exemption we will ensure that this is not charged on any products we install. You will simply be required to sign a VAT exemption for. No VAT will then be charged!
0 WHAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR WHEN YOU'RE DISABLED | Beth Frazer