News: Matthew Lester speaks at the Improving the Life Chances of Disabled Adults Conference
07/07/2008
Matthew Lester, Director of Operations for the Papworth Trust discusses ?Foundations for Living project' and the Papworth Trust 'Guide to developing inclusive communities', at the Improving the Life Chances of Disabled Adults Conference in London, on Monday 7 July. The Conference addresses a cross-cutting agenda which focuses on the most urgent gaps in provision for promoting opportunity with disabled adults.
Foundations for Living project started in 2001 as a response to local need and national policy. Through consultation the Papworth Trust found that many disabled people were keen for an opportunity to live in an urban location with better access to shops, community facilities, volunteering and employment opportunities.
Foundations for Living includes three things:
- 24 affordable rented wheelchair accessible properties
- 22 private flats
- The Saxongate Community Learning Centre, an inspiring and fully accessible space for disabled and non-disabled people including businesses, community groups and Huntingdon Regional College.
The Foundations for Living project is an example of how Papworth supports disabled people to live independently.
The success of Foundations for Living inspired Papworth Trust to develop a Guide to developing inclusive communities. As 371,000 people who require adapted accommodation live in unsuitable housing, the Papworth Guide provides practical advice and examples of how we can reduce the figure and see design for everyone. The Trust's experience shows that well designed homes really do make the difference to living independently and that excellent design both inside and outside the front door is essential to avoid disabled people living in ?independent isolation."
Foundations for Living project and the Papworth Trust Guide to developing inclusive communities both demonstrate what can be achieved and illustrates how developing inclusive communities goes beyond accessibility and includes the way services are delivered and attitudes changed.
