FIND
DESIGN
ADAPT
Housing Occupational Therapy
Our Housing Occupational Therapists (OTs) are experts in inclusive home design and accessibility. We assess how a person’s living environment supports, or limits, their ability to live independently and comfortably.
Our Housing OTs create bespoke home designs tailored to each individual's unique needs and abilities. They recommend thoughtful layouts, fixtures and fittings that enhance safety, comfort and functionality - empowering individuals to navigate and enjoy their homes with confidence and ease.
We primarily support individuals who have experienced life-changing injuries or live with complex, chronic or debilitating medical conditions. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and legal professionals, we help deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Our Housing Occupational Therapists (OTs) are experts in inclusive home design and accessibility. We assess how a person’s living environment supports - or limits - their ability to live independently and comfortably.
Our Housing OTs create bespoke home designs tailored to each individual's unique needs and abilities. They recommend thoughtful layouts, fixtures, and fittings that enhance safety, comfort, and functionality - empowering individuals to navigate and enjoy their homes with confidence and ease.
We primarily support individuals who have experienced life-changing injuries or live with complex, chronic, or debilitating medical conditions. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and legal professionals, we help deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.
FIND
DESIGN
ADAPT
What does a Housing OT do?
Assessing a client’s functional abilities and impairments and how these affect daily living within their home environment.
Identifying risks and barriers to independence, accessibility and safety
Advising on the suitability of properties for purchase or rental
Collaborating with other professionals to align home design with rehabilitation goals and future needs
Recommending adaptations, assistive equipment and layout changes to enhance access and usability
Working with architects, surveyors and contractors to deliver cost-effective, practical design solutions
Supporting case managers and solicitors in both rehabilitation and litigation contexts
Preparing detailed, professional reports suitable for legal proceedings, funding applications or insurance claims.
Why it matters
Inadequate housing can delay recovery, increase care costs and reduce quality of life. A Housing OT ensures that the home is a facilitator, not a barrier, to independence, function and dignity.
We bring a holistic, person-centred approach to every case, focusing not just on what a client can do today but on what they could do tomorrow with the right environment in place.
We act as facilitators, ensuring the client remains at the centre of the design process and its implementation.
Meet our team
We provide impartial, unbiased advice to architects, surveyors, and other construction professionals on home adaptations, ensuring that your projects meet the highest standards of accessibility and functionality. Drawing on our extensive experience, we are pleased to recommend reputable companies with whom we have successfully collaborated and we offer project management services as required. Our Occupational Therapists operate across England and Wales.
Anava Baruch
CEO and Clinical Lead
BA Hons Occupational Therapy & MSc Ergonomics
DFI is a pioneering consultancy that specialises in designing bespoke home environments for individuals who have sustained catastrophic injuries. With a background as a community occupational therapist and over a decade of experience leading a multidisciplinary team, Anava is uniquely positioned at the intersection of clinical expertise and practical design.
Since founding Design for Independence Ltd. in 2012, Anava has built a team of specialist housing occupational therapists, an in-house estate agent, and a dedicated building services team, delivering end-to-end property solutions for clients living with complex physical, cognitive and visual impairments. Her work focuses on creating tailored, aesthetically considered spaces that support rehabilitation goals, promote independence, and reflect the client’s individual strengths and lifestyle.
Anava also serves as an Accommodation Expert Witness under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules. Notably, she is the only expert in this field with an occupational therapy background, bringing a unique and holistic perspective to her reports. Her assessments go beyond bricks and mortar—addressing manual handling, care needs, daily occupations, family dynamics, and community integration.
Recognised for her innovative thinking and problem-solving ability, Anava is a sought-after speaker known for her insightful approach to complex cases. She brings a rare combination of clinical depth, creative vision, and practical know-how to the evolving conversation around post-injury accommodation.
Anava is a member of Bond Solon, Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the Health & Care Professions Council. She is also accredited on the APIL expert database.
Design For Independence is unique.
As Housing Occupational Therapists we adeptly interpret complex medical conditions into architectural designs. As Manual Handling experts we precisely assess spatial needs and equipment placement for optimal functionality.
As Therapists we prioritise privacy and dignity, ensuring that our recommendations for purchasing, designing and adapting properties for individuals with disabilities are expertly tailored to enhance quality of life.
Design For Independence is unique.
As Housing Occupational Therapists we adeptly interpret complex medical conditions into architectural designs. As Manual Handling experts we precisely assess spatial needs and equipment placement for optimal functionality.
As Therapists we prioritise privacy and dignity, ensuring that our recommendations for purchasing, designing, and adapting properties for individuals with disabilities are expertly tailored to enhance quality of life.
Chroma House, Shire Hill,
Saffron Walden CB11 3AQ