What a disability adaptation assessment covers
A disability adaptation assessment identifies physical-environment changes a property needs to support a disabled occupant — accessibility, transfers, washing, kitchen reach, falls prevention, sensory-environment adaptation. Assessments support Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) applications through Local Authorities and inform private-funded adaptation work.
- Functional assessment of occupant needs (typically by Occupational Therapist)
- Property accessibility audit (entry, hallway, stairs, bathroom, kitchen)
- Adaptation specification with priority order
- Equipment recommendation (grab rails, hoists, level-access shower, stair-lift)
- Cost estimate and DFG-application support where relevant
- Coordination with care providers and family
Typical findings
- Bathroom-access barriers requiring level-access shower conversion
- Stair access becoming unsafe — recommendation for stair-lift or through-floor lift
- Kitchen reach and worktop-height adaptations
- Door-width restrictions for wheelchair use
- Sensory-environment adaptations (lighting, contrast, acoustic) for cognitive impairment
Typical cost: £0 if accessed via Local Authority OT under DFG pathway, £350-£900 typical private-pay OT-led assessment, larger fees for complex multi-disciplinary cases
When to book: When a household member has a new diagnosis or progressive condition affecting mobility / cognition, after a fall or hospital admission, or proactively as part of ageing-in-place planning.
Required qualifications for assessor: HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist (typically Local Authority OT or RCOT-member private-practice OT), with construction expertise via partnership with a registered building surveyor