Buying Disability Equipment

• Before you purchase equipment first check if you are eligible for help from Social Services
• Get impartial advice and try it out before you buy. Some companies will allow you hire items before you buy them.
• Occupational therapists will give advice on the suitability of equipment or advice if you are unsure of what you might need
• Buy locally - should there be a problem it will be easier to resolve and they will be there if you need repairs or servicing. Click to download lists.
• Buy second-hand - see our latest Second-hand Equipment Register. This can be much cheaper but you may not be covered by manufacturers warranties and you have little recourse if the equipment becomes faulty. However you may get a bargain that has hardly been used. 

To get Advice:

• Disabled Living Centres or Centres for Independent Living (CILs) offer disabled people the chance to try out a wide range of equipment. As yet there is no centre in Northamptonshire but one in Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Leicester, and Stamford. Click to download list.
• Disabled Living Foundation - DLF gives practical, up to date and unbiased information and advice on disability equipment. They have a vast range of online factsheets, links to the websites of manufacturers and suppliers, a demonstration centre where you can try out equipment and AskSARAH to guide you to suitable aids for daily living and advice.
• Ricability is an independent consumer research charity providing free, practical and unbiased reports for older and disabled people.
• If you really cannot find what you need, then contact Remap. This charity calls on  volunteers to fashion custom made equipment.