EastendHomes is committed to a positive policy of equal opportunity in the delivery of its services; all customers of EastendHomes will be dealt with fairly and equitably.

EastendHomes recognises and acknowledges its legal responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. 

EastendHomeswill provide services that are equally accessible to disabled and non-disabled residents.

EastendHomes values the diversity of the community within which it operates and will challenge inequality and actively promote equality of access for all residents.

ACCESS TO HOUSING

EastendHomes will continuously review its service delivery

methods and ensure that greater housing choice for disabled residents is provided particularly through the inclusion of initiatives such as lifetime homes. 

Where appropriate EastendHomes will adapt and design properties according to the specific needs and requirements of disabled residents working together with professional advisors e.g. occupational therapists.

EastendHomes Boards and Committees will consider the specific needs of disabled residents and make appropriate provision e.g. dedicated parking spaces; suitable environmental designs such as raised planting beds and sensory gardens; and proximity to accessible public transport.

Details of vacant accessible and adapted properties will be shared with partner organisations in the area.

SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

EEH will actively seek to work with charities, third sector organisations and other partners in organising activities that provide opportunities for disabled residents to meet and to share their interests.

EastendHomes will work toward meeting the specific needs of disabled residents when improving, developing and designing homes and the surrounding estate environment. 

EastendHomes will encourage involvement in consultation, making suitable facilities available (e.g. signing) as appropriate.

EastendHomes will ensure that information it produces is accessible and in plain English, information will be available in a range of formats such as large print, Braille, on line and by audiotape where required.

EastendHomes will provide training to front-line staff to enable them to support all service users.

MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT

EastendHomes will review its activities to ensure that disabled people have equal access to services and will promote best practice including:-

• Providing staff with disability awareness training.
• Identify residents who are disabled and/or vulnerable and prioritise service delivery according to their needs e.g. repairs and maintenance response times.
• Making available resources for residents to access appropriate aids and adaptations.
• Monitoring the satisfaction of disabled tenants with services provided to ensure equality of service.

INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

EastendHomes will encourage disabled residents to actively participate in the consultation and decision making process.

EastendHomes will develop accessible consultation methods to ensure that all members of the community are included.

EastendHomes will work with other organisations in the area to ensure best practice is shared, and continuously monitor service delivery to disabled residents to help identify where improvements can be made.