Access and Accessibility
Information Guides
Accessible Holidays
Accessible Toilets
Accessible Housing
Accessible Environments
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:
Council Help for Disabled People
Scottish councils have responsibilities to help disabled people and their carers who qualify for help. These include:
- Financial help
- Care needs assessments for disabled people
- Providing support for carers
- Blue Badges
- Safeguarding people who are at risk of harm
Financial help
Councils are responsible for providing financial help, including
- Housing benefit – help with rent for people over State Pension age and for some younger people in special circumstances Claim Housing Benefit – mygov.scot
- Means-tested and non means-tested help with council tax costs Working out your council tax – mygov.scot
- Lump sum payments from the Scottish Welfare Fund; Crisis Grants (usually food, energy, or heating) or Community Care Grants to help people stay in, or settle into the community. https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund
Social work departments have powers to help with “Section 12” payments, for adults or children in an emergency if this would save the council costs in future. They can also make payments to promote the welfare of children in need.
Councils must also have a Housing “scheme of assistance” that may give information, advice, grants, loans, and practical assistance to homeowners or, to private tenants who need disability adaptations. https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/housing_conditions/scheme_of_assistance
Most council areas will have a Care and Repair service that will provide advice and help to older people and (in some areas) disabled people who are homeowners or private tenants. Find your local service here Office Locations | Care and Repair Scotland
Care needs assessments for disabled people
If you are disabled, your council’s social work department (or in Highland, NHS Highland) can assess your care needs, and agree a care plan to support you. The help you receive may include equipment, adaptations to your home, care at home, day care or a care home. Any help you receive that is classed as “personal care” is free.
You should be offered a choice in how your care is provided; this is called Self-directed support. Your options within your budget form the council are:
- 1 – a direct payment to you or someone else (such as a care agency) to pay for your own support
- 2 – you arrange the support
- 3 – the local council arranges the support
- 4 – a mix of the above
Support for carers
The Carers (Scotland) Act gives carers a right to support from their local council. A carer is anyone who is not paid for their caring and looks after a friend, family member or neighbour who is disabled. You do not have to be caring for a specific number of hours to be a carer.
Your local Carers Centre can explain what help is available locally. Any help a carer received from their local council is free. Find your local Carers Centre here https://www.careinfoscotland.scot/topics/support-for-carers/carer-centres/ and find out more about carers rights here https://www.careinfoscotland.scot/topics/support-for-carers/
Blue Badges
A Blue Badges provides parking concessions for on-street parking, some car parks, and disabled parking bays, allowing badge holders to park close to where they need to go
A Blue Badge belongs to a person, not a vehicle, so they can travel as a driver or a passenger. Find out more about Blue Badges here: https://www.mygov.scot/apply-blue-badge/eligibility
Protecting people who are at risk of harm
Councils have powers under the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 to protect adults who cannot look after their own safety and security and are at risk of harm because of disability, mental disorder, illness, physical or mental infirmity, sexual harm or institutional harm.
“Harm” means injury or damage and includes self-harm, neglect and abuse.
Councils and other public services (such as Police) will work together to support people. You can find out more here https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/adult-support-and-protection/
If you are worried that someone at risk of harm, you can find your local social work department here
Contact your council
You can find details of your council and its services here Organisations – mygov.scot
How can I get a RADAR key?
The National Key Scheme (NKS), often referred to as RADAR keys, offers 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 |
|---|---|
| MND Scotland | Aims: To ensure that with people with Motor Neurone Disease secure the care and support they need. Services provided: Advocacy service Specialist equipment loan service Welfare and benefits service Online support groups Grants for people with MND and t… |
| Mobility & Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) | Advisor on disability issues in relation to transport policies in Scotland |
| Mobility in Motion | We’re here for wherever you want to go, with a range of accessible car adaptations for disabled drivers and passengers that will give you the independence you desire and deserve. Loading and Stowage Make easy work of loading and unloading a whee… |
| Mobility Matters Limited | A family run business, with over 20 years experience in the supply and repair of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, rise and recline chairs and beds, and daily living aids. With Stores across Ayrshire, and over 200 new and used Scooters and Wheelchairs in… |
| Mobility Shop | At Mobility Shop, we offer a wide range of mobility aids, including transit wheelchairs, self-propelled wheelchairs, heavy-duty wheelchairs, children’s wheelchairs, transport wheelchairs, reclining wheelchairs, and Days wheelchairs. We’ve been around s… |
| Moray Citizens Advice Bureau | Provide free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to individuals |
| Mungo Foundation (The) | Aims: The Mungo Foundation is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of community based care and support services to people with different kinds of need. Services provided: People with a sensory impairment Home and day services Older people Peopl… |
| MyPlus Students’ Club | Summary: This award-winning website offers advice on how to be confident in the job application and recruitment process while also providing access to unrivalled recruiters and job opportunities through a free membership service. MyPlus Students’ Club |
| Nairn Access Panel | Aims: To address local access issues and liaise with the local council, service providers and influencers to find and deliver solutions. Services provided: Address local access issues and liaise with the local council Lobbying for improved access to am… |
| Nairn Community & Arts Centre | Description The venue has 5 rooms available for hire. The rooms are of various size and capacity ranging from 15 people boardroom style to 300 people theatre style. Digital projector and PA system, DVD, PC, internet and wi-fi are available. Tea, coffee… |
