Kirkby Residents Move into disability friendly development

Residents from Kirkby recently moved into a specially built bungalow designed and developed to meet the needs of a family with disability.

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), Knowsley Council (KMBC) and Knowsley Primary Care Trust were approached to find suitable accommodation in Knowsley for a family where the three children all have a rare genetic order called Coffin Lowry Syndrome.

The youngest of the children also suffers from Cataplexy. The means the child suffers from learning difficulties and frequent drop attacks.

The challenge was to build a property which caters for the special needs of the family, meet the Disability Discrimination Act Standards as well as keep them together. The result was a brand new 4 bedroom bungalow in Kirkby.

The property has many features which have been built with the family in mind such as:

• Hydrotherapy bath to help stimulate muscles in legs
• Level Access throughout to ease wheelchair movement
• Paved area in garden for wheelchair access
• Eco features such as solar panels for water heating system, water buts, recycling containers and sky lights.

KHT’s Executive Director of Regeneration Maggi Howard said:
“KHT are committed to providing the best homes for our customers and in particular lifetime homes in our new build properties. On this occasion KHT took the opportunity to provide a home for life for one family who had specific needs. The 4 bedroom wheelchair bungalow boasts many sustainable features and provides the family with an adapted property that meets the specific requirements that disabled members demand. The development shows KHT’s dedication to providing exactly what the borough needs.”

Councillor Graham Morgan, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said:
“This bungalow has been developed to enable families, where a family member has a disability, to remain together, and will be a key asset for the Borough. This development demonstrates Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s commitment to working with its partners to provide a wide range of housing options to meet the needs of local residents.”