Visitability by laws

Curt Leatherbee · 05-20-2009, 10:01 PM

I was discussing these new laws with a friend today. A number of States have these laws now and they are required in new home constuction. It only makes sense, if your going to do new construction, might as well make it accessable. This means new home construction must have at least one accessable entrance and other accessable features, interesting stuff. http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/01...itability.html

loreo · 05-25-2009, 06:40 PM

We have similar visitability regulations coming out very soon up here in Ontario - a few months away. New builds will have to be compliant. There are also some regulations around upgrading to visitability during renovations. Can you imagine visiting anyone without pre-planning washroom breaks and help to get in?

Curt Leatherbee · 05-27-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loreo

We have similar visitability regulations coming out very soon up here in Ontario - a few months away. New builds will have to be compliant. There are also some regulations around upgrading to visitability during renovations. Can you imagine visiting anyone without pre-planning washroom breaks and help to get in?

Exactly, these regulations make a lot of sense. Also if someone were to become disabled after the fact of building it would be a shame if they had built a inaccessable dwelling that had to be changed around at a far greater expense, if able to be changed at all in a cost effective way.

Foolish Old · 05-27-2009, 12:54 AM

Thanks for this, Curt. It is so timely! I am currently attempting to get the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to agree to incorporate minimum Universal Design concepts into all their new homes. I have been making all the "Visitability" arguments without knowing that the word or movement existed.

It is encouraging to learn of a bill in Congress and an advocacy network to which I can reach out.

CurvySAT05 · 05-27-2009, 02:22 AM

It would be neat if they were able to incorporate that each house should have a minimum of one room downstairs so that an injured person, disabled person, etc. can have accessible accommodations downstairs rather than having to rely on someone to carry them upstairs or sleep on the couch (or in some cases turning the garage into a bedroom). The space saved upstairs (assuming its a 2 story home) could be used as that extra "living/family room". Also, the bathroom downstairs should be big enough to fit a wheelchair into and have a shower.
I know....I know....I'm dreaming!

Foolish Old · 05-28-2009, 12:15 PM

H.R.1408
Title: To require all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities.
Sponsor: Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] (introduced 3/10/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 3/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
COSPONSORS(6), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 3/10/2009Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 3/10/2009Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 3/10/2009Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 3/23/2009Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 3/10/2009Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/10/2009

Big Tuna · 05-29-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foolish Old

all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses

I think its awesome, but what does "federally assisted" mean?

Foolish Old · 05-29-2009, 09:04 PM

The project received federal money as grants or loans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tuna

I think its awesome, but what does "federally assisted" mean?

Sue Pendleton · 07-12-2009, 10:27 PM

They will have a rough time building townhouses in some areas on the east coast. Many with garages you have an entrance, garage and stairway up to the actual house. Every foot wider adds to already enormous land costs. NOT that I'm against it. Love it. With so many friends in such townhouses I'm about to have friends chip in for new carpeting if we have to do all the entertaining. I mean who wants to entertain with carpet that always seems dirty? And due to a slab that was badly poured hardwood or tile in most the house is impossible.

brucec · 07-13-2009, 08:21 AM

thanks curt, it only makes sense, as you ride thru neighborhoods now a days, seems like about one in ten has a ramp to the front door, you would think builders would have caught on by now

05-20-2009, 10:01 PM	#1
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,383	Visitability by laws I was discussing these new laws with a friend today. A number of States have these laws now and they are required in new home constuction. It only makes sense, if your going to do new construction, might as well make it accessable. This means new home construction must have at least one accessable entrance and other accessable features, interesting stuff. http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/01...itability.html Attached Images __________________ "Life is about how you respond to not only the challenges you're dealt but the challenges you seek...If you have no goals, no mountains to climb, your soul dies".~Liz Fordred

05-27-2009, 12:54 AM	#4
Foolish Old Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 16,372	Thanks for this, Curt. It is so timely! I am currently attempting to get the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to agree to incorporate minimum Universal Design concepts into all their new homes. I have been making all the "Visitability" arguments without knowing that the word or movement existed. It is encouraging to learn of a bill in Congress and an advocacy network to which I can reach out. __________________ Foolish "We have met the enemy and he is us."-POGO. "I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."~Edgar Allan Poe "Dream big, you might never wake up!"- Snoop Dogg

05-27-2009, 02:22 AM	#5
CurvySAT05 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 488	It would be neat if they were able to incorporate that each house should have a minimum of one room downstairs so that an injured person, disabled person, etc. can have accessible accommodations downstairs rather than having to rely on someone to carry them upstairs or sleep on the couch (or in some cases turning the garage into a bedroom). The space saved upstairs (assuming its a 2 story home) could be used as that extra "living/family room". Also, the bathroom downstairs should be big enough to fit a wheelchair into and have a shower. I know....I know....I'm dreaming! __________________ ~Mandy~ SCI as a result of spinal surgery TiLite Aero Z!!!

05-28-2009, 12:15 PM	#6
Foolish Old Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 16,372	H.R.1408 Title: To require all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities. Sponsor: Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] (introduced 3/10/2009) Cosponsors (6) Latest Major Action: 3/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. COSPONSORS(6), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date) Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 3/10/2009Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 3/10/2009Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 3/10/2009Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 3/23/2009Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 3/10/2009Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/10/2009 __________________ Foolish "We have met the enemy and he is us."-POGO. "I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."~Edgar Allan Poe "Dream big, you might never wake up!"- Snoop Dogg

07-12-2009, 10:27 PM	#9
Sue Pendleton Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wisconsin USA Posts: 9,169	They will have a rough time building townhouses in some areas on the east coast. Many with garages you have an entrance, garage and stairway up to the actual house. Every foot wider adds to already enormous land costs. NOT that I'm against it. Love it. With so many friends in such townhouses I'm about to have friends chip in for new carpeting if we have to do all the entertaining. I mean who wants to entertain with carpet that always seems dirty? And due to a slab that was badly poured hardwood or tile in most the house is impossible. __________________ Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Disclaimer: Answers, suggestions, and/or comments do not constitute medical advice expressed or implied and are based solely on my experiences as a SCI patient. Please consult your attending physician for medical advise and treatment. In the event of a medical emergency please call 911.

05-25-2009, 06:40 PM	#2
loreo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 542	We have similar visitability regulations coming out very soon up here in Ontario - a few months away. New builds will have to be compliant. There are also some regulations around upgrading to visitability during renovations. Can you imagine visiting anyone without pre-planning washroom breaks and help to get in?

07-13-2009, 08:21 AM	#10
brucec Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, Va Posts: 5,581	thanks curt, it only makes sense, as you ride thru neighborhoods now a days, seems like about one in ten has a ramp to the front door, you would think builders would have caught on by now __________________ We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions. Ronald Reagan

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