A DISABLED man is angry that Wiltshire Council is still not offering him access to adult support services a year later.

John Finley-Boyd, 53, who lives in Amesbury and has Asperger’s syndrome, believes the local authority is not taking his disability seriously.

He said his adult support was stopped last year as he no longer qualified, according to the council – despite receiving personal independence payments from the government – leaving Mr Finley-Boyd to question how he can access the right help.

Previously, Mr Finley-Boyd received support three hours a week to help him with reading and writing letters, and other daily tasks.

Despite being unable to read and write, Mr Finley-Boyd says that in recent meetings with the local authority Mr Finley-Boyd says they asked him to use a telephone service for understanding his letters – which he says is ‘unacceptable’.

Adding that he asked the council to provide him with audio versions of his letters – a service his bank provides for statements and updates.

A request, he says the authority were unable to accommodate. Instead, he said the council asked him to go to and ‘make friends’ to get them to help him with reading and responding to letters.

“I think it’s unjustified,” he said.

“They’re putting me into a corner.

"They are not willing to offer me any adult support and not taking my disability seriously.

“I’m not looking for a fight. I’m just looking for respect.”

Cllr Simon Jacobs, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for adult social care said: “While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases it is important to say we are here ready to listen and support anyone who needs help because of disabilities.

“We provide a range of support to help people live independent lives and this is available where needed.

“We have arrangements that allow people with reading difficulties to make contact via telephone with an officer who can assist people in understanding letters they receive.

“We can also direct people to community volunteers who can support and assist people if they have difficulty reading correspondence.”