Equipment and Adaptations Shared Vocabulary

Shared Vocabulary

Background

People use and interpret the language associated with the equipment and adaptations agenda differently.

The Strategy Forum: Equipment and Adaptations considered this for the overall agenda and decided to continue with 'equipment and adaptations' rather than change to something that would mean less to people who use these services.

When their report 'Equipped for Inclusion' was published for consultation in 2003 they also asked: "should reference to 'equipment and adaptations' continue, or should the phrase be replaced with a more encompassing and modern expression? If so, what should this be?"(Question 1) to which a third of all respondents favoured ongoing reference to 'equipment and adaptations' as a well established and understood overarching description.

Using descriptions from guidance, 'equipment and adaptations' refers to the wider agenda that extends beyond social work service equipment and (temporary) adaptations for daily living, and health nursing equipment. It includes health provision of environmental control systems, wheelchairs, and other mobility equipment, communication equipment, building adaptation and design across all tenures, voluntary sector provision, and the rapidly developing technology arena. It does not include anything that is invasive to the body, or that is used for medical treatment.

As such it encompasses a range of terms that this 'shared vocabulary' for the most commonly used [and misused] expressions seeks to clarify. It was developed with advice and contributions from external stakeholders for the equipment and adaptations agenda and from key policy colleagues within the Executive.

It is intended to stimulate discussion and debate and promote a consistent approach - so if you have any comments and any helpful material please contact us at:

equipmentandadaptations@scotland.gsi.gov.uk