Website of the UK government

This page does not deal with personal health equipment and aids like wheelchairs or hearing aids. There is a separate section about personal equipment, which also covers assistance dogs.

• Personal equipment and assistance dogs

Large items or permanent fixtures

If you're physically disabled, and especially if you're a wheelchair user, you may need to get equipment and have permanent fixtures installed at home so that you can live there independently.

Examples of equipment and adaptations include:

You may also need to have adaptation work done in your home - for example, having doorways widened or a ramp installed.

Everyday items to make life easier

A wide range of gadgets and devices are available that make everyday tasks easier for people with specific disabilities. Some examples are:

Depending on how important your local council feels these items are to your independence, you may have to pay for them yourself. You can use your direct payments for the larger items that make the biggest difference to your ability to live independently.

The Disabled Living Foundation has a large range of factsheets, including a number of factsheets concerning equipment for use about the home.

• Disabled Living Foundation factsheets Opens new window

Different ways to do everyday things

Sometimes equipment may not be the best way to meet your needs.

Instead of buying equipment, you may be able to change the way you do everyday things to make them easier. An occupational therapist may be able to suggest ways of doing things that you have not considered.

• Occupational therapy

Telecare and personal alarm systems

Being able to summon help immediately in an emergency is often an important consideration for disabled people wanting to live independently at home. A personal alarm system could be the answer.

Personal alarm systems can take many forms. Some depend on someone to be nearby - for example in another room or next door.

Telecare alarms, known as community alarm services, are very useful for people who live alone. They work through a base unit in your home, which is connected to your phone line. By pressing a button on the unit or on a pendant that you wear around your neck, you are connected with an operator who can arrange the help you need.

Some telecare alarms have movement sensors that can detect if someone has fallen and cannot get up, or leaves a certain area. Those alarms will be activated automatically, so the person does not need to do anything to summon help.

The Disabled Living Foundation factsheet 'Choosing a personal alarm system' may help you decide what kind of personal alarm system, if any, is right for you.

Telecare devices that can detect smoke, water flooding, gas leaks, room temperature and more are also available. Many of these can be particularly useful for forgetful people.

The Disabled Living Foundation factsheet 'Choosing equipment to maintain safety and independence at home (introducing telecare)' has plenty of useful advice.

• Download the 'Choosing a personal alarm system' factsheet from the Disabled Living Foundation website (PDF, 201 KB) Opens new window
• Download the 'Choosing equipment to maintain safety and independence at home (introducing telecare)' factsheet from the Disabled Living Foundation website (PDF, 454 KB) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Find out about community alarm services locally

Many local authorities provide community alarm services. The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local council website, where you can find out more.

• Find out about community alarm services locally Opens new window

Choosing equipment

Having the right equipment at home can make a real difference to your quality of life, so it makes sense to get advice and try equipment out before you buy it.

• Trying, choosing and buying equipment

Equipment in the workplace

If you are disabled, you may need special aids and equipment in your workplace to help you do your job.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, your employer has a duty to consider making 'reasonable adjustments' to enable you to do your job. This may include providing aids and equipment.

Your employer can get financial support from the Jobcentre Plus 'Access to Work' programme to help pay for the costs of any equipment or adjustments you may need. You do not have to pay anything towards this.

• Access to Work - practical help at work

Useful contacts

There are a number of organisations who provide advice and/or practical help to people who need equipment or adjustments to enable them to live in their own home.

• Independent living and equipment contacts