News
Living Options Publishes Our Latest Impact Report
Our latest impact report for 2019 – 2021 provides an insight into our work and is our opportunity to let you know some of our achievements over the past two years to improve outcomes for people with disabilities and Deaf people.
Our mission at Living Options Devon is to seek to ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf people have the opportunity to live the life they choose. We periodically publish a report which highlights the beneficial impact our work has had on our disabled and Deaf communities.
Our Key Achievements in 2019-2021
We engaged and supported 15777 people with disabilities and Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL).
Just under 6000 disabled and Deaf people were provided with emotional and / or practical support to improve their wellbeing, particularly essential during the Covid pandemic. This was delivered through our telephone and webcam support service; our advocacy support; our hearing and sight service (formerly See Hear Centre); our victim support service and our counselling service.
We facilitated consultations/engagement activities with over 1700 people, providing opportunities for disabled and Deaf people, and people with other protected characteristics, to give their feedback about issues affecting their lives. Using this feedback we have influenced policy and practice for the better – locally, regionally and nationally.
Alongside our partners on the Devon Advocacy Consortium, we provided independent, professional issue-based advocacy to over 3000 people, in relation to issues concerning health and social care.
When Covid restrictions allowed, we provided safe enjoyable access to the South West’s most scenic locations for anyone who has difficulty walking, through our off-road mobility scooter hire scheme – allowing people to spend time outdoors and experience the countryside independently; spending time with family and friends. We produced a podcast with the aim of engaging people with the outdoors and helping people to feel connected when movement was restricted during lockdowns. 5700 people benefitted from these opportunities.
We worked with 265 service providers / organisations to improve accessibility for disabled and Deaf people – through the provision of access audits or advice; delivering accessibility solutions; facilitating consultations; and working together to address access barriers.