Universal Design/Visitibility
Physical accessibility is a major concern for persons living with a wide range of disabilities. Individuals using wheelchairs or persons with visual impairments often need at least some accommodations in their homes in order to live independently.
The modifications necessary are often not major: slightly wider doorways, reinforcements to bathroom walls to allow for the installation of a grab bar, or an entrance to the unit that does not require stairs. If included during the initial construction phase, including features in a home to allow for use by a person with a disability would often add only $300-400 to the total cost.
Read more on universal design and visitability accommodations on Concrete Change's web site (Opens in new window) →
Below are resources and sites from other organizations concerning universal design. Click through the links to learn more.
Massachusetts Architectural Access Board →
Universal Design →
AARP →
Accessible Design/Universal Design Resources →
United Housing Comments on DHCD’s Analysis of Impediments
March 15, 2007 - In
late 2006, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
released its Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Access and Action Steps
to Mitigate Impediments (AI). Upon reading the document, members of United
Housing had concerns about some of the action steps proposed and drafted a
letter of response to DHCD Undersecretary Tina Brooks.
Housing Committee Expands Public Housing Accessibility
March 13, 2007 - On
March 13, the Joint Committee on Housing held hearings on the Housing Bond Bill,
which United Housing sent a letter in support of. This legislation provides
bond authorization for a variety of affordable housing construction programs,
including the Facilities Consolidation Fund, Community Based Housing, and the
Home Modification Loan Program. Of particular interest in this bill was language
in the Public Housing Modernization Fund section that explicitly permits local
housing authorities to use these funds to update their housing units and
facilities to comply with state and federal accessibility standards.
Read the text of the letter →
