Accessible housing for disabled people
It can be difficult to find a house that meets your requirements. You may be considering adapting your home to make it more accessible for your needs, or you may decide that moving to a new home is the better option.
This guide lists a number of support organisations and schemes that can advise and help you to make the best choice for you.
Disabled Home Adaptations
If you are looking for information on disabled home adaptations, a good starting point is to ask for an Assessment of Needs from your local council’s social care department. Please see our Assessment of Needs information guide for more information.
Finding the right house for your needs
Housing Options Scotland help disabled people, veterans and older people to find the right house, in the right place.
To register, you will be asked to complete the Request Support form, or you can contact them directly and they will email or post a form to you.
Once they get your completed form they will send you a personalised report with all your potential housing options. It normally takes up to 4 weeks for them to prepare your report. You will be given your own housing broker who will work with you to help make your preferred option a reality.
Home2Fit is an exciting new website. They will match what you want with what’s available and make contact with housing providers who have accessible homes in your area of choice. There are options for social and private rented homes and for home owners. If a home to suit is not yet available housing providers can still see your request and respond to you.
Housing Information and Advice
Disabled Person’s Housing Service Aberdeenshire
Houseability provide information, advice and advocacy services to people with disabilities who have housing issues or problems, to enable them to meet their everyday needs and improve their quality of life within an inclusive community
Disabled Person’s Housing Service Aberdeen City
Provide housing advice, information and advocacy to disabled people, their families and carers. Based in Aberdeen, the DPHS is constantly developing its services.
Disabled Person’s Housing Service Fife
Provide independent advice and information so that disabled people can have the chance to consider housing options right for them and so enable them to live independently.
Disabled Persons Housing Services Glasgow
Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL) provide housing information, advice and advocacy services to disabled people seeking housing in Glasgow. Additionally they provide one-to-one support, advice, information and advocacy for people who need an adapted or accessible home in Greater Glasgow.
Better at Home is a new housing options service which can help you get out of hospital and into a suitable home. The project aims to support older people who want to go home from hospital but who need help because of a housing issue. Better at Home may be able to help you if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- want to live at home but your hospital discharge is delayed because your accommodation does not meet your access needs
- are currently in residential care or a nursing home but would like to find suitable housing in the community
- want to live in Glasgow
Shelter Scotland
Provide advice on housing issues and homelessness. They have a useful page on information for disabled people.
Free housing advice helpline: 0808 800 4444, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Calls are free from UK landlines and main mobile networks.
You can also talk to an adviser online via live chat. This is available weekdays from 10am until 3pm, dependent on adviser availability.
Home2Fit
Home2Fit is a national online database that helps disabled people search for accessible housing. If you are seeking an accessible home to meet your specific needs then you can visit the Home2fit website. Whether you are searching for social housing, private letting or to buy a property, Home2Fit offers a variety of services to help you in your search for an accessible home.
At one end, Home2fit allows landlords, housing associations or estate agents to advertise any adapted properties they have vacant. At the other end, an individual searching for a specifically adapted property can register with Home2fit and search the online database for a suitable match.
Information last updated on 1 February 2024. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.
Access and Accessibility:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
How can I search for accessible places to visit in Scotland?
Whether you are planning a meal out, a weekend trip or day out to one of Scotland’s parks, there are websites and ‘apps’ that you can use in your search for an accessible venue or activity.
Euan’s Guide is a disabled access review website and app that aims to ‘remove the fear of the unknown’ and inspire people to try new places.
OpenBritain is your website that provides information on accessible tourism in the UK and includes day trips and tourist attractions.
Disabled Go provide access information on venues across the UK and Ireland.
For more information on accessible places to visit in Scotland search our Scottish Disability Directory and select the ‘Holidays/Respite’ category.
How can I get a RADAR key?
The National Key Scheme (NKS), often referred to as RADAR keys, offer disabled people independent access to locked public accessible toilets around the country. You can buy from Disability Rights UK either over the phone or through their website.
You can also purchase RADAR keys through some chemists and online.
For further information see our Accessible Toilets information guide or the Disability Rights UK website.
Call the Disability Information Scotland helpline on: 0300 323 9961
Access and Accessibility:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.
Organisation | Description |
---|---|
Butterly Trust | Aims: To provide support in the community for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Services provided: Information and advice on services and other resources and guidance on how to acquire them Practical help that includes assistance with official forms… |
C.A.B.I.A. Counselling and Benefits in Action | Services provided: Free help with benefit forms (all kinds) ESA – DLA- PIP Attendance Allowance Pension Credit Carers Allowance Benefits advice Representation to appeals Scottish Adult Disability Payment Scottish Child Disability Payment Scottish Child… |
CAE | Aims: The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) has been a leading authority on inclusive design for over 50 years. They provide consultancy, training, research and publications on building design and management to meet all user needs, including dis… |
Caird Hall | Description There are 2 Halls available for hire. Capacities of each depend on the layout with the maximum capacity being 1850 fully seated. Sound and lighting systems included in rates. Free Wi-Fi. Catering at cost. Accessible facilities Lev… |
CALL Scotland | To provide services and carry out research and development projects across Scotland working with all those involved in meeting the needs of people who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and / or specialised technology use, particu… |
Carers of West Lothian | Carers of West Lothian 0ffer a range of services developed to meet the needs and improve the lives of the people they support through their information, advice and support service. They support unpaid carers aged 8 upwards providing care and support t… |
Carloway Community Association | Description There is 1 hall which can seat up to 200 people. A room which can seat 12 people. A room which can seat 20 people with an adjacent dining area A sound system, projection facilities and a hearing loop are available. There is not a catering s… |
Central Aberdeenshire Access Panel | Services provided: The Central Aberdeenshire Access Panel is a part-time organisation, set up and staffed by volunteers. It is a voluntary organisation whose members have an interest in promoting access for all to facilities and services, with particul… |
Centre for Inclusive Living Perth and Kinross (CILPK) | Aims: To promote a barrier free, inclusive and equality minded environment for all disabled people. To promote independence based on dignity, choice and control. Services provided: CILPK provides a range of services designed to ensure better access, gr… |
Cerebral Palsy Scotland | Aims: We’re a charity that improves the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy through specialist therapy, support and information. Our mission is to help people with cerebral palsy build skills, knowledge, confidence and relationships. We ad… |