STUBS-Disability LIFE

09/10/2026

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19d3kzWoFy/

Accessible Housing: Designing for Everyday Independence

Finding a home should not mean compromising on the ability to meet your basic needs.

Housing accessibility deserves to be evaluated through everyday function: Can a person enter their home, use the bathroom, prepare a meal, and move between rooms safely and with the level of independence they choose?

Zero-step entrances, roll-in showers, adequate doorway clearance, wheelchair turning space, reachable controls, and usable kitchen surfaces should be central considerations in housing design.

The essential question is, Does this home support the daily life of the person living in it?

A feature described as “accessible” may still be unusable for someone’s particular mobility device, reach, balance, or transfer needs. Meaningful design requires listening to people with disabilities and evaluating how spaces work in practice, not just theory.

As we advocate for better housing standards, lived experience must help shape the conversation.

Which housing feature is most critical to your daily independence—and what happens when it is missing?

Share a specific example below. Your experience can help identify the design priorities that matter most.

Accessible housing is a foundation for dignity, choice, inclusion, and community participation.

We won’t get into the astronomical price it cost to rent these days or the extra zeros attached to adaptation… Or will we?!?
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. Challenged Athletes Foundation. Mike Hudson. ROAR. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. United Spinal Association. United Spinal Association Advocacy Network. Paralyzed Veterans of America. Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Semper Fi & America's Fund. Jay Youngblood. Jeremy Kerr

07/10/2026

DID YOU KNOW :

That getting a common cold can increase or trigger a flare-up of other symptoms for someone living with an autoimmune condition.

Or that when a person with an autoimmune disease catches a virus, it affects their entire system?

Individuals coughing near a person with autoimmune condition increases there risk of catching a cold ,developing respiratory conditions, contracting illnesses like influenza or COVID-19

RECOMMENDATION :
(Its not rudeness its protection)

Move away from the coughing individual as quickly as possible, ideally keeping a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) or wear a mask.

Eat or drink nutriments that boost your immune system, as preventative measures better than cures

15/09/2026

SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH

ADVICE & INFORMATION STUBS DISABILITY SERVICE CIC

A sickle cell crisis is a sudden, severe episode of pain that happens when stiff, sickle-shaped red blood cells clump together and block small blood vessels.

What Triggers a Crisis : Dehydration, infections, stress, extreme or sudden changes in temperatures, or strenuous activity; however for every individual triggers can vary

Common Locations crisis can incluse pains chest, back, stomach, arms, and legs etc.

HOW LONG DOES A CRISIS LAST ?
A typical pain crisis lasts from a few hours, several days, a week or several weeks. Recovery depends on the severity of the blockage and prompt treatment.

ADVICE: Start talking about crisis period, episode not just duration or height or crisis pain

This means talking about the lead up to it when you start to feel the symptoms and are trying to avoid highest pain levels or hospital admission. Inclusive of recovery when blood starts to circulate better but you are still experiencing pain and discomfort.

IF YOU APPLIED THIS ADVICE HOW WOULD A DESCRIPTION OF CRISIS CHANGE FOR YOU ? Tell us in the comments

10/09/2026

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY

RECOMMENDED TIPS FOR COPING WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS:

💜Learn ways to manage and navigate difficult feelings (for me it was journaling and poetry)
💜Tell someone how you are feeling
💜Focus on getting through next 5 minutes, day or week
💜Distract yourself
💜Make yourself safe
💜Seek support for su***de thoughts nhs
💜Practice being kind to yourself.

***depreventionday

26/08/2026

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21/08/2026

DISABLED PERSONS COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME

Living in theUK you may be eligible for Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

If you are considered elgible this lowers your council tax bill by one property band if your home has extra space or special features for disability related needs.

This can include an extra bathroom, specific therapy room, or indoor wheelchair space

I applied for this approximately 5 years ago and wasnt successful. However tried again this year and was even elgible for back dated payment until when became ambulatory wheelchair user.

So this is your reminder that presentation symptoms of disability changes. As such so can your elgiblity for many services resources and schemes.
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

20/08/2026

If you're an adult who is caring for a child or young person with SEND you will be eligible for a carer's assessment.

The carer’s needs are usually included within the child or young person’s social care assessment ( Children and Families Act 2014(

When 'your child' is an adult you are elgible for a seperate carers assessment ( Care Act 2014)

As a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND you have the right to ask for an assessment of your own needs.

The assessment will consider your needs, circumstances, health and wellbeing and how your caring responsibilities impact the rest of your life.

Carers assessment will cover your caring role, your feelings about caring whether you think its sustainable, your physical, mental and emotional health, and how caring affects your work, leisure, education, wider family etc

Additionally if you are a young carer you are also elgible for assessment and support

Contact Childrens or Adult Social Service today to request your assessment.

18/08/2026

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15/08/2026

THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT DOLPHINS...

I have been trying to get an opportunity to have some version of a dolphin experience for years.

I FINALLY DID IT !!

However it almost didnt happen. As when i attempted to book for dolphin and picture experience i was discouraged and told it would be up to the trainer/s.

They were unsure whether they could accomodate my disability mobility limitations.

I was told to wait until almost everyone had left after the show and see.

The more people i saw have there experience, the more my anxiety built. I had to make peace with them probably saying ' sorry we cant accomodate you'

Thoughts were; how was i going to step into the pool ?. What if i lose balance?, fall in water?, fall ? and cause a scene.

However they said yes !! and i even kissed a dolphin

Thanks to the support of total of two trainers to get over the edge and two more strangers to get out, i got my experience.🐬🐬

Thanks to the stranger that took the pictures.📸

This experience was a reminder of the importance of having trust and little faith in strangers.

Reminding me that i dont need to have all the steps planned out. Sometimes just trust and take the first step