Accessible homes needed, or force the elderly, frail and people with disabilities to live in expensive care homes
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As the population ages Victorians prone to immobility such as people with disabilities, the elderly and frail could be forced to live in expensive care homes miles from families and loved ones unless the Victorian Government strengthens its proposed regulations to ensure new housing meets standards on disability access, warns the Victorian Council of Social Service.
Chief Executive of VCOSS Cath Smith said many Victorians cannot be discharged to go home from hospital, or are forced into nursing homes simply because their housing doesn’t have a shower they can access.
"We need a massive increase in the numbers of homes in Victoria that are disability friendly. Disabled Victorians, the elderly and frail have the right live in a home where they can easily access the toilet, or shower."
The call comes as VCOSS submits a response to the Victorian Government’s Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for proposed regulations that will increase disability access across the State’s housing stock.
For more information, or to arrange an interview
contact John Kelly – M: 0425 701 080Follow the conversation at www.twitter.com/vcoss
VCOSS
Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
T: 03 9654 5050 F: 03 9654 5749 W: vcoss@vcoss.org.au E: vcoss@vcoss.org.au