For caring Housing Associations, one of the biggest problems is balancing its housing stock with tenant needs, especially where those tenants are disabled. No longer…
AAT GB, the stairclimber people, is launching an innovative service specifically for social housing organisations, aimed at making the social housing stock work for everyone, making homes more accessible, without any structural alteration.
The service centres around AAT’s #1 selling S-Max Sella stairclimber combined with the unique Universal Back accessory.
The combination means that almost anyone with a mobility issue – the most common impairment felt by the 6.2million social housing tenants who are disabled- can access all levels of their home and get safely in and out of a MOU (multi occupancy unit).
It means many inaccessible homes become accessible, enabling the SHP to balance the needs of the tenant and its housing stock for less than £1500/tenant(1)/without Disabled Facilities Grant funding.
Importantly, the S-Max Sella requires no installation nor structural fixing. Thus in individual homes there is no need for structural survey and in MOUs- which account for more than 35% of housing stock, there is no impact on common parts.
The equipment can be recycled/ re-issued to other tenants when no longer needed by the original recipient.
AAT’s service is a flexible package with options including assessment of the tenant and their home to determine suitability, provision of the equipment, training of the tenant’s carer(s), annual service & maintenance of the equipment in line with LOLER regulations, and management of the social housing provider’s stairclimber stock.
Buying in to AAT’s service means the housing provider makes inroads into compliance with the Equality Act Section 36, and the new Building Safety Act with regard to safe, fast evacuation of disabled tenants.
In essence, the S-Max is a portable kinematic, battery-powered device that ascends or descends steps, at a rate set and controlled by the carer. AAT’s Class 1 Medical Device certified stairclimber will execute 300 steps from one charge.
AAT’s Universal Back accessory can clip-fit to the unit if required to provide supplementary support to each user’s needs.
Observes Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.
“Adopting a strategic plan such as utilisation of our facility enables the SHP to cost-effectively meet the needs of the tenant for little outlay and no disruption to the housing stock.
“It means a tenant with reduced mobility in an upstairs flat is no longer housebound. Their safety in the event of fire is protected. It potentially extends the scope of available housing.”
Established 20 years ago, AAT GB has built a reputation as the stairclimber people. Thousands of units are now in regular use throughout the UK and have an impeccable safety record. AAT GB is the only supplier in its sector with the depth of kit and service to support SHPs in its obligation to disabled tenants.
For further details of the S-Max Sella and Universal Back visit: www.aatgb.com/mobility-stairclimbers.
For further information about the social housing service, email sales(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aatgb.com or telephone 01978 821875.