SEMINAR: "Lifetime Homes in Policy & Practice"

This half-day seminar with Mike Donnelly of Habinteg on Lifetime Adaptable Homes covered:

• History
• Need for Lifetime Homes
• Universal/Inclusive Design
• Technical Lifetimes Home Standard
• Policy and progress in the UK
• Lifetime Homes internationally / Universal Design movement
• Lifetime Homes and Ireland

Presentations:

• Mike Donnelly "Lifetimes Adaptable Homes Semiar"

Please contact us directly if you require Mike's presentation is an alternate format.

Biography

Mike Donnelly CEO Habinteg Housing Associationhas worked in housing associations for over 30 years and has been Habinteg’s Chief Executive for 17 years. All over the UK he has developed innovative schemes that put independent living into housing practice and promote the idea of social inclusion especially for disabled people. Mike has been one of the principle campaigners in bringing about changes to the UK Building Regulations and Code for Sustainable Homes in relation to accessible housing. From the earliest days he has been a leading practitioner and campaigner for ‘Lifetime Homes’ and has been adviser to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Mike was Chairman of the Steering Group that produced the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide, widely sold throughout the housing movement. A qualified surveyor, he has also served as Chairman or committee member on a number of charities working with learning disabled people and people with AIDS.

Habinteg promotes inclusion by building Lifetime Homes and wheelchair standard properties together creating neighbourhoods for disabled and non-disabled people to share and enjoy. Habinteg’s thoughtful designs and on-site support services make a real difference to people’s independence. The association uses its expertise to challenge negative social attitudes, promote the rights of disabled people and improve accessibility standards within housing.

Event details

Seminar: Lifetime Homes in Policy and Practice 10:00 – 13:00

In February 2008 the UK government launched its housing strategy document 'Lifetime Homes & Lifetime Neighbourhoods' in which it challenges the UK Housing Industry to incorporate inclusive design principles and lifetime homes standards, in a more holistic approach to designing and building all new housing by 2013.

The UK government initiative is in line with the findings of a leading researcher in the field of home adaptations, Frances Heywood from Bristol University who states that “home and housing should be at the heart of the new preventative agenda, but there is little evidence that they are. Community care itself is underfunded and the preventative ageNDA insufficiently holistic.” By ‘preventative’ she means all homes should be designed to promote independent living for older people and people with disabilities. But what does this mean in practical design terms and how would the Irish construction industry respond to a similar challenge?

Agenda

10:00 Morning session registration – Tea and Coffee served

10:30 Opening Address – Neil Murphy, MRIAI, Senior Built Environment Advisor Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, CEUD.

10:35 Lifetime Homes in Policy and Practice – Mike Donnelly, Habinteg Chief Executive

12.00 Group Discussion

13:00 Morning session close

Presentations