House Adaptations Advisory Service (HAAS)

The House Adaptations Advisory Service (HAAS) assists disabled people, their families or carers with finding an architect or designer who might help them with a house adaptation.

Services for older and disabled people

HAAS is particularly aimed at clients undertaking major adaptations to their homes under a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). HAAS helps people to adapt their homes to live more safely, conveniently and independently. The HAAS database also contains details of members' experience of other small-scale projects such as local churches, village halls and community and day centres.

HAAS is offered to enquirers free of charge. Enquirers are sent a list of HAAS members in their locality. The member search results sent to each client contain contact details and a brief description of the members' previous related work. Clients can then decide which member has the best skill and experience to suit their needs.

The HAAS Client information pack contains more information on how to use the service, other general advice on house adaptations, including a case study, a summary of DFGs and a further contacts session. It is important that the Centre receives feedback from users to find out how good the service was in meeting their needs and their satisfaction with the work carried out. For further information on HAAS, to find a professional designer in your area, or to register as a HAAS member email info@cae.org.uk.

HAAS Members

Those eligible for inclusion are practitioners with relevant qualifying experience, for example architects, surveyors and occupational therapists. Experience of designing at least two adaptations is necessary for registration. Those wishing to join the service must be members of CAE; however there is no other charges. Members will however give one hours' advice, free of charge, at his or her offices or at the home of the client. For subsequent work, fees can be charged.

The HAAS Member information pack contains more information on how to register, how the service is used, other general advice on house adaptations and a further contacts section.

For further information on HAAS, to find a professional designer in your area, or to register as a HAAS member email info@cae.org.uk.