Guest Blog by James Feetham
Hi, my name is James Feetham, and I’m 33 years old. I’ve been living with a disability for 26 years, and I currently work as the Inclusive Services Team Leader at Great Places Housing Group. But my journey isn’t just about my role, it's about my lived experience of disability, and how that shapes my views on housing and accessibility.
The Struggles of Accessible Housing
Living in social housing has been incredibly difficult. Finding a home that’s accessible, not just physically but in a way that fits my family’s needs, has always been a challenge. It’s something I’ve faced for as long as I can remember. Though there have been some improvements over the years, the current housing stock still doesn’t meet the growing demand for accessible homes. This is where small adaptations, like those from Invisible Creations, have made a huge difference in my life.
For someone like me, grab rails are not just a convenience, they’re a necessity. Without them, my home would be completely inaccessible. While the house itself may not be designed for my needs, these small but crucial modifications help me live as independently as possible. They may seem simple, but they’ve had a profound impact on my day-to-day life.
The Impact on My Family
The challenges I face with my health don’t just affect me, they affect my entire family. I’m a father, I work full-time, and I want my home to be a place that works for all of us. But finding a home that meets these needs, one that’s truly accessible, is incredibly difficult. The shortage of accessible housing in the UK is real, and it’s something that needs urgent attention.
The Need for the Social Model of Disability
In the past, disability was often seen through a medical lens, a view that focuses on the disability itself. But the social model of disability offers a much more empowering perspective. It’s not about seeing the disability as the problem but rather the environment around the person. It’s about making sure that the spaces we live in are designed to support everyone, regardless of their abilities.
This is why I’m so passionate about the shift towards accessible design. It’s not just about functionality, it’s about creating environments that give people the independence they deserve. Accessible homes should be designed with inclusivity at the forefront, offering dignity and freedom to everyone.
The Problem with Existing Adaptations
Many of the adaptations available today, while functional, aren’t exactly designed with aesthetics in mind. Grab rails and other features often look clinical and can stand out in a way that makes you feel like a target. I’ve seen firsthand how visible adaptations can sometimes invite unwanted attention, which only adds to the stress of already challenging situations.
That’s why the work that Invisible Creations is doing is so important. Their products offer practical solutions that are also stylish, and I’m thrilled to see these designs finally making their way into people’s homes. It’s time for accessible adaptations to be both functional and beautiful, and Invisible Creations is leading the way in making that happen.
Invisible Creations: A Game-Changer
The products from Invisible Creations are long overdue, and they’re exactly the kind of solutions we need to make accessible living a reality for everyone. The key now is to make these products more mainstream. Local authorities and housing providers need to be aware of the options available so they can start incorporating them into their housing solutions. Accessibility affects people of all ages, not just the elderly, and products like those from Invisible Creations help people live more comfortably without compromising on aesthetics.
It's great to see Invisible Creations now stocking their grab rails in B&Q, where anyone can find options. It’s time we start seeing accessible design as a standard, not a special request.
My Role at Great Places Housing Group
Although I’ve only been working in the social housing sector for about seven months, I bring with me a wealth of lived experience as a disabled person and someone who has spent my entire life in social housing. As an Inclusive Services Team Leader, my role is to understand who is living in our homes and what their needs are, so we can provide the right services and make sure our residents feel comfortable and confident in the homes we offer.
The Challenge of Accessible Housing
The simple truth is that many disabled people are living in general needs properties because there aren’t enough accessible homes available. The sector has to wake up to the fact that we’re not building homes with inclusion in mind, and this needs to change. That’s why data collection is so important. It’s about understanding who is living in our homes and tailoring our services to meet those needs.
At Great Places, we are making it a priority to dig deeper into this data, so we can provide better support to our residents, now and in the future.
Preparing for the Future
It’s crucial that we start thinking about the future of housing, how we can design homes that cater to an ageing population as well as a population that is becoming more confident in sharing their disability status. It’s not just about designing new homes from the start; it’s also about retrofitting existing homes to ensure they’re fit for the future.
The Role of Lobbying for Change
As a sector, we need to do more than just build homes, we need to build the right homes. That means lobbying decision-makers to ensure that the homes we’re building today will meet the needs of tomorrow. We need to be building homes that are inclusive and that cater to everyone, including disabled people.
Advice for Other Housing Providers
If I could offer one piece of advice to other housing providers, it would be this:
Get to know who lives in your homes.
Understand their needs.
Build for the future.
By building homes that are accessible and inclusive, we can create homes for life. This reduces the need for frequent moves, improves stability, and ultimately leads to greater tenant satisfaction. A more inclusive approach leads to stronger communities and a more supportive housing sector for all.
In the end, the goal is simple: to make homes that work for everyone, no matter their age, ability, or circumstances. Join the #FitForOurFuture campaign today, to access free resources and support to take action today - Home | Fit For Our Future
James Feetham
Inclusive Services Team Leader, Great Places Housing Group
#DisabilityAids #MobilityAids #GrabRails #GrabRail #AccessibleDesign #HomeAdaptations #IndependantLiving #InclusiveDesign #OccupationalTherapy #Disability #HealthyAgeing #AgeinginPlace #HousingAssociations
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