Mike Gaskell’s column on the Audit Commission’s publication Housing – Improving Services through Resident Involvement covered the issues pretty well, but both the column and the report are missing something (9 July, page 36).

The word disability appears only once in the 55-page publication. The reference is in a quote from a chief executive highlighting how a disabled board member has raised consciousness about disability issues.

Understanding the diverse needs of all tenants should be at the heart of all resident involvement. At Leeds Federated Housing Association we have a group for disabled tenants, which ran a recent event to raise awareness and attracted more than 50 disabled tenants. Of them, 15 have now signed up to join the group.

The aim of this society is to improve services for disabled tenants. In conjunction with the our tenants’ federation, tenant board members and with the full support of the board, we believe it is vital to engage with all the people served by an association.

Source

Housing Today

Postscript

Matthew Walker, interim chief executive, Leeds Federated Housing Association