A 59-year-old man from Ryde has accused the Isle of Wight Council of “walking away” from his legal right to disability services — but the local authority insists it is trying to help.
Former homeless services worker David Moynehan has said he was neglected by the council’s Community Occupational Therapy Service after losing much of his sight.
He described the situation as “wrong” on “so many levels”.
Around seven years ago, David lost focus in his right eye and about four and a half years later, overnight, he lost all vision in his left eye, as well as the ability to drive.
His doctor told him he should get an assessment from adult social care and a social worker referred him to the council’s occupational therapy (OT) service, which is outsourced.
After the referral came back, David said he was told the OT service “doesn’t do sensory disabilities.”
Without an OT referral, he was unable to access other council services such as a kitchen adaptation to keep him safe there.
Isle of Wight charity Sight for Wight helped him put together an OT report and submit it to the OT service who in turn sent it to the council’s disabled facilities grant department.
The charity was not however able to fully support him due to a lack of resources and specific OT services he needed.
And earlier this year, David said he reiterated his request for an OT assessment to another social worker and put in a complaint to the council, only to be told they did not have an occupational therapist specialising in visual impairment.
He said:
“You have to help people – this is a major life change for me – they have to pay for someone to come and do it or hire OTs that can actually do it.”
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said:
“We acknowledge and recognise the significant impact that the loss of any sense, such as sight, can have on an individual such as Mr Moynehan.
“The council has already confirmed to Mr Moynehan that we will provide an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment supported by Wight Sense to provide specialist expertise in supporting those with visual impairment.
“The council commission Wight Sense to provide The Sensory Service – this service offers specialist expertise in assessment, advice, and information to those with a sensory impairment.”
Mr Moynehan says he has not been offered a date for an assessment and he doesn’t think Wight Sense has the services that would meet his needs.
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