Mrs Janet Wagland1
1Brightwater Care Group, Brightwater Care Group
Biography:
Trained as an Occupational Therapist, Janet Wagland has worked for over 30 years at Brightwater Care Group in a number of roles predominantly related to the care and support of people with complex neurological disability. She has been instrumental in the development of Brightwater’s disability services including rehabilitation, transition, supported independent living and community-based therapy, behaviour support and support coordination services. Within her role, Janet has driven the development of service models for people with neurological disability and the design and construct of environments informed by both the model of service and the specific needs of the individual diagnostic groups.
Abstract:
The design of accommodation for people with disability is largely influenced by building codes and prescriptive physical accessibility requirements, with little consideration given to the specific needs of individuals living in these spaces and the model of care supporting them. This often results in generic accessible housing that requires residents and staff alike to adapt to the environment rather than the environment being designed to support them.
Understanding the impact of the built environment on people with specific disabilities such as dementia, acquired brain injury (ABI) and Huntington’s disease (HD) can enable the creation of an environment that actively enhances lifestyle, wellbeing and independence.
Brightwater Care Group has a long history of designing buildings to meet the needs of clients. incorporating design features that support clients and the model of care. This presentation will discuss three Brightwater purpose built environments, the design requirements behind them and the outcomes they deliver for residents and staff:
1. Community Based Residential Rehabilitation for people with ABI
2. Specialist Disability Accommodation for people with HD
3. Renovated group housing for people with Younger Onset Dementia
Shape and form of accommodation which is designed in consideration of the impact of specific disabilities, and the service provided can produce positive outcomes on liveability and functionality for the people who live there.