The Hidden Crisis: Life After Injury in an Inaccessible System

Season 2 Ep 3 Summary Ruth Hunter is joined by Glyn Hayes, accessible housing advocate and Public Affairs Coordinator at the Spinal Injuries Association. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2017, Glyn experienced firsthand just how inaccessible the UK housing system can be, from losing his home and job to being placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation. With lived experience, a background in local government, and deep insight into planning policy, he now campaigns for better provision of wheelchair accessible homes across the UK. Together, Ruth and Glyn explore the reality of navigating housing after life-changing injury, the lack of accessible rental stock, why local councillors have more power than most people realise, and how housing policy continues to fail disabled people. They also unpack the urgent need for more M4(3) wheelchair accessible homes, why the National Planning Policy Framework matters, and how accessible housing is not just a social issue but an economic one too. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome + introduction to Glyn Hayes 01:18 — Glyn’s injury, losing his home, and navigating unsuitable housing 04:36 — Why local councillors can be key in housing cases 10:13 — Leaving hospital, losing work, and trying to rebuild life 17:03 — From lived experience to advocacy and policy work 25:22 — Why the National Planning Policy Framework matters 30:18 — The shortage of wheelchair accessible homes and the push for 10% M4(3) 33:17 — How local plans and developers continue to fail disabled people 42:28 — The economic case for accessible housing 48:21 — Why accessible homes must work inside and out 53:02 — Where to find Glyn and learn more Keywords Accessible housing, wheelchair accessible homes, spinal cord injury, Spinal Injuries Association, Glyn Hayes, M4(2), M4(3), National Planning Policy Framework, NPPF, local councillors, planning policy, accessible homes, disability housing, inclusive design, housing crisis, temporary accommodation, housing advocacy, wheelchair users, local plans, planning committees, developers, economic case for accessible housing, universal design, disabled parking, dropped kerbs, holistic design Contact details Glyn Hayes / Spinal Injuries Association LinkedIn: Glyn Hayes Website: www.spinal.co.uk Email: www.veredusproperty.com 📩 Email me directly at [email protected] 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter