Logo: The Rainbow Ripples Report

Good Practice Recommendations - Technical Aids and Equipment

  1. There should be more outlets available for advice and ordering of technical aids and equipment, including service providers that are specifically LGB friendly
  2. If an LGB disabled person wishes to have access to the internet, this should be viewed as a vital link in terms of information and community participation by “professionals” carrying out assessments of need with LGB disabled people.
  3. Professionals whose role is to advise and assess disabled people about aids and equipment need to be aware of non-specialist items that could be bought “on the high street” as well as specialist items made for disabled people.
  4. Professionals whose role is to advise and assess disabled people about aids and equipment need training on equality issues, including recognising the importance for LGB disabled people to be able to carry out tasks (such as reading or travelling) without human assistance. Having to ask for help can sometimes make LGB disabled person vulnerable to homophobic responses.
  5. Equipment providers should be non-judgemental in their provision of advice to LGB disabled people. This should be part of the contract if the service is commissioned by Leeds City Council and should be covered by the organisation’s complaints procedure.
  6. Assessment for equipment should be based around the social model of disability, i.e. recognising the barriers that disabled people face and seeing how equipment may reduce or remove the barrier.
  7. Equipment services should be able to provide or advise on a range of solutions and supply them in a timely manner.
  8. Many disabled people would welcome an opportunity for more regular reassessment, in case their needs have changed or equipment has been updated.
  9. More thought needs to be put into the “look” of equipment, so that it is less “medical”. Individual budgets, with the option for people to purchase equipment on the high street may partially solve this – though some items will always require design and production by specialists (such as prosthetic devices).

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