Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes: consultation

Annex T – Section 20 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide: Refurbishment and adaptations

The clauses within Section 20 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide are set out in the table below.

20 Refurbishment and adaptations

20.1 Refurbishment

When existing houses and flats are being refurbished opportunities should be sought to provide accommodation that is suited to the needs of older or ambulant disabled people or people who use a wheelchair. The design criteria and considerations will be as given in this guide, though compromises may have to be made and minimum rather than preferred requirements adopted due to the limitations imposed by the existing structure or available space.

20.2 Adaptations

20.2.1 Adaptations to existing housing to suit an occupant's needs are required in significant and increasing numbers. This fact emphasises the desirability of barrier free design features being incorporated at the design stage in all new dwellings so that the need for adaptation is reduced and adaptations that have to be made are easier and less costly to carry out.

20.2.2 The design criteria and considerations for adaptations will be as given in this guide, though compromises will often have to be made between what is possible and what is preferred. In implementing adaptations it is extremely important that design decisions involve the person whose needs are to be met, the occupational therapist and the architect, so that all aspects of the problem are considered.

20.2.3 Many adaptations will be of a relatively minor nature, but where major work is required a careful assessment should be made of the quality of accommodation that the adaptation will achieve and the extent to which it results in a dwelling fully suited to the needs of people with a particular need. Though it is not envisaged that adaptations can always result in a dwelling that is equivalent to one designed from the outset to be suited to these needs, it should be recognised that there may be situations where a dwelling, even after adaptation, would be intrinsically unsuited for occupation by a disabled person and that the occupant's needs can be met properly only in different accommodation.

20.3 Adaptations for confused people

People with dementia or other cognitive impairment, while they continue to live in a house or flat that has been their home for some time may benefit from their familiarity with their surroundings, but to augment this some simple adaptations may be of help:

• differentiation of doors by the use of colour and/ or symbols
• removal of some doors so that there is no visual barrier between spaces
• removal of doors to cupboards and kitchen fittings so that the contents are not hidden, and/ or
• addition of electronic equipment to act as safety devices, in relation to electrical equipment, security, etc (see 18.7).