A human right to wheelchair access
Although she had been living independently, Celia suffered a stroke, which resulted in mobility problems, and she also developed vascular dementia. Because her care needs increased, she and her family made the decision for her to move into a local nursing home.
Celia was a wheelchair user, but her body had changed over time, and her current chair had become unsuitable, causing discomfort even after just a short period of use.
So her granddaughter, Stella, asked the home to approach the wheelchair service at the local authority with a request for a new specialised chair for Celia.
But the wheelchair service refused the request because Celia could not self-propel and so it was against their policy. This was despite being informed that the care home staff were willing to assist Celia with the wheelchair so that she wouldn’t need to self-propel.
The wheelchair service’s decision effectively imprisoned Celia in her bedroom.
Stella got in touch with the Relatives & Residents Association helpline for some support.
As Celia’s care was funded by the local authority, they had a responsibility to protect and promote Stella’s rights. R&RA’s helpline worker explained a number of Celia’s rights, including the right to liberty, to private and family life (which includes wellbeing) and the right to be free from discrimination under the Human Rights Act, as well as her rights under the Equality Act.
Using the information provided, Stella had the confidence to speak to the local authority about her grandmother’s rights. As a result, Celia was offered an urgent wheelchair assessment.