Moving home is extremely stressful for everyone but when you add in the things to think about around your disability or impairment that takes it to another level! Accessibility, equipment, and care routines all need to be realigned.
A trusted home removal service with genuine experience of disabled clients can ease many of those pressures. This guide explains how to find trained movers, what to ask before booking, and how to plan an accessible move with confidence and calm.
Key Takeaways
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Research movers with verified disability experience | Ensures safe handling of mobility or medical equipment |
| 2 | Ask practical questions (“Have you supported clients who use specialist disability equipment before?”) | Confirms understanding of access needs |
| 3 | Verify insurance for mobility and medical devices | Protects essential equipment from loss or damage |
| 4 | Use Scope’s moving tools and council disability directories | Connects you with trusted accessible services |
| 5 | Plan for your specific needs — mobility, sensory, or cognitive | Reduces stress and supports comfort |
| 6 | Take notes from our Accessible Moving Checklist | Keeps essentials and safety steps in one place |
What Makes Moving Different When You’re Disabled
Relocating often disrupts well-established support networks and routines. Many UK homes still lack basic accessibility, so moving medical devices or wheelchairs requires careful preparation.
If you have one, care plans may need reassessment by your new local council, and more worryingly, things like Continuing Healthcare Payments may need to be reassessed if you are moving to a new district.
You may need to return equipment on loan and have it reissued. Returns or re-issues take time a lot of time, if you can enquire really early! Pharmacies and GPs can differ in their opinions on which meds they will prescribe; it’s better to talk to your current GP in advance about this.
Early coordination reduces stress and ensures essential items — from hoists to medications — are available as soon as you arrive.
A removal team experienced in accessibility can manage the practical side but there are many things you will need to double check yourself.
Researching and Shortlisting Potential Movers
Start by checking the British Association of Removers (BAR) directory and your local council’s disability support listings. Scope’s moving-house support tools also have some excellent in-depth tips and checklists.
When comparing movers, ask questions like:
- “Have you supported clients who use hoists or power chairs?”
- “Do you insure mobility and medical equipment?”
- “What adjustments can your team make if I need quiet time or a rest space during the move?”
Get written quotes that specify coverage for disability-related equipment. A professional mover will answer questions clearly and provide examples of similar jobs.
Evaluating Training and Staff Competence
A qualified team combines skill with respect. Look for movers who:
- Provide disability-awareness training that covers communication, access planning, and personal-space boundaries.
- Experienced in safe handling of mobility equipment, hoists, and assistive technology — including how to dismantle, transport, and reassemble items correctly.
- Communicate clearly and adapt to your needs
During early conversations, pay attention to tone. The best movers listen carefully, clarify requests, and take time to confirm details. That level of attentiveness reflects how they’ll manage your belongings.
Understanding Services and Accessibility Options
Check which accessibility features and options each mover provides:
- Ramp- or lift-equipped vehicles
- Packing for delicate or medical equipment
- Ensure staff briefings include your access notes — such as rest needs, preferred communication, or equipment handling.
- Flexible or phased move schedules
Confirm that insurance includes high-value aids like powered wheelchairs and CPAP machines. Ask for this in writing.
Remember if your new home is not perfect – Grants such as the Disabled Facilities Grant can help fund adaptations at your new address. Contact your council before you move to check eligibility.
Some tips for Specific Disabilities
Mobility and Wheelchair Users
- If you will be in and out at the new place on the day – ask that wherever possible they keep access clear
- Ask how they handle steps or narrow hallways.
- Confirm written insurance for mobility devices if they are taking yours.
- Take medication, chargers, and key items yourself if possible, they are too essential to risk with a moving company
Quick Checklist
- Ramp or lift confirmed
- Rest area ready at both locations
- Bathroom access available
- Ensure you start the day with a fully charged battery if you use a powerchair
Sensory Disabilities
- Ask movers to communicate clearly and give notice before loud movements.
- Request steady lighting and minimal background noise during packing.
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing clients can request written or text-based updates.
- Make sure the team understands guide or assistance dog protocols.
Neurodiverse Clients
Predictability makes moving easier.
- Request a written step-by-step plan.
- Ask for the same team throughout the move.
- Build in rest breaks and quiet spaces.
- Label boxes clearly by room and priority.
Comfort Plan
- Printed schedule shared
- Regular breaks arranged
- Sensory aids or comfort items accessible
- Clear labels on key boxes
Pre-Move Planning
Advance preparation makes the moving day less overwhelming.
- Trial run with equipment: Measure doorways, lifts, and turning spaces in the new home to confirm mobility aids will fit.
- Backup power sources: Charge all mobility devices and keep spare batteries ready, especially for long days.
- Emergency contacts list: Save phone numbers for the nearest hospital, pharmacy, and equipment repair service in your new area.
Tips and Insights about Relocating from Disabled People
Real experiences from disabled movers reveal practical challenges that standard guides often miss. These insights from online communities highlight what matters most when planning an accessible move.
Check Accessibility Before You Commit
Visiting a property in person makes a significant difference. Floor plans can be misleading, so checking doorways, driveways, and turning spaces helps avoid discovering access barriers too late. Bungalows or homes with main-floor bedrooms and bathrooms reduce the need for expensive adaptations later.
Some disabled people report frustration when councils impose impractical adaptations that ignore lived experience. Bringing an occupational therapist to viewings can help assess whether a space genuinely works for your mobility or sensory needs.
Managing Sensory and Emotional Overload
Moving disrupts routines that many neurodivergent people rely on. Parents of autistic children recommend arranging sleepovers at the new home before moving day to reduce anxiety. Keeping one familiar room untouched until the final week provides a safe retreat during the upheaval.
Structured packing routines help limit cognitive exhaustion. Packing shelf-by-shelf or drawer-by-drawer, rather than tackling whole rooms at once, makes the process more manageable. Maintaining small rituals—like breakfast in the same spot each morning—provides stability during a chaotic time.
Practical Equipment Handling
Wheelchair users share techniques that professional movers rarely mention. Using dollies or sliders with brakes prevents unsafe reaching when moving boxes. Going backwards up ramps reduces strain since pulling requires less effort than pushing.
Attaching cup holders, bags, and reflectors to wheelchairs before moving day keeps essentials within reach and improves visibility. Many movers underestimate how fragile manual chairs can be, so clearly label mobility equipment as “non-stackable” and confirm insurance coverage for assistive devices.
Protecting Independence
Accessibility includes autonomy. Some disabled people find themselves negotiating independence in shared or social housing where support systems assume dependence. Choosing equipment and layouts that maximize self-reliance matters as much as physical access.
Planning around your specific needs, rather than accepting generic solutions, makes the difference between a home that supports you and one that creates new barriers.
In their own words:
“Don’t trust floor plans; visit in person or video call a friend to check door widths.”
“We had to keep one room untouched until the last week—it was the only way my autistic kid felt safe enough to sleep.”
“Ask your OT to visit before you sign anything. They spotted turning radius problems the estate agent never mentioned.”
Day-of-Move Practicalities
A few small details can make the day go smoothly.
- Temperature control: Some medicines or medical devices need stable conditions during transport — discuss this with the team in advance.
- Delegate a point person: If possible, ask a friend, family member, or carer to coordinate while you rest or manage personal needs.
- Document condition: Take photos of mobility equipment and devices before loading. This record supports insurance claims if damage occurs.
Post-Move Essentials
After unloading, check safety and access first.
- Test emergency systems: Ensure panic alarms, pull cords, and intercoms work before movers leave.
- Council tax and Blue Badge: Contact your new council to update your Blue Badge and apply for any available council tax reductions for disabled residents.
- Home care handover: If you receive care support, arrange an overlap visit so carers can familiarise themselves with your new space and equipment setup.
Financial Support
- Compare removal quotes in writing: Aim for at least three, and make sure each quote lists your disability-related equipment for accurate coverage.
- Charitable grants: Organisations such as Turn2us may offer related grants or emergency funding for disabled people on low incomes.
These small financial checks can prevent unexpected costs and give you extra breathing room during the transition.
Communication Tools
Clear communication keeps everyone aligned.
- Create a small access requirements card listing your preferred communication methods, rest needs, or mobility instructions.
- Keep a few copies handy to give to delivery drivers, new carers, or contractors visiting in the first few weeks.
This simple step helps others understand your needs quickly, without repeating explanations.
Printable Accessible Moving Checklist
Include or download a checklist in Word or PDF with these sections:
1. Items for Safe Transport
- Medications and chargers
- Medical records and emergency contacts
- Mobility or medical devices (wheelchairs, hoists, CPAP machines)
2. Accessibility Verifications
- Ramp, lift or access confirmed
- Rest area and accessible restroom arranged
- Movers briefed on communication preferences
3. Post-Move Adaptations
- Lighting and furniture positioned safely
- Care team and GP updated with new address
Keeping this checklist visible helps track tasks and avoid last-minute stress.
Moving Forward
A well-planned move balances accessibility, comfort, and preparation. With clear communication, trusted movers, and the right resources — including Scope’s guides and local council directories — you can relocate with confidence. An organised plan and experienced support team transform moving from a challenge into a manageable, safe step toward your next chapter.
