Wheel Chair Accessable House

[lcwhitney]

[Does anyone have experience getting assistance with nabuilding a house that has wheelchair access to every room? I need to do that Since my stroke I have gradually gotten to the point that walking is almost impossible. My doctors think I will get to the point that I am wheelchair bound all the time. Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Lettitia

 

[Ross]

I would think there would be some sort of state agency that would help with that. Only thing I can think of is to call your local building inspectors office and see if they can't point you in the right direction.

 

[Curtsmum]

No advice but wanted to wish you the best of luck, hope you get what you need soon.

 

[netmiff]

March of Dimes may be able to point you in the right direction, and may be able to help with funding sources, too.

 

[lcwhitney]

I luild on??ive outside city limits so no help from habitay for humanity. The state will only help if I am homeless and sale the property I want to build on on I will have to try the march of dimes people.

THANKS FOR THE IDEA.

LETTITIA

 

[Mary]

March of Dimes may be able to point you in the right direction, and may be able to help with funding sources, too.

Please let us know if they are able to help.

 

[Ross]

I luild on??ive outside city limits so no help from habitay for humanity. The state will only help if I am homeless and sale the property I want to build on on I will have to try the march of dimes people.

THANKS FOR THE IDEA.

LETTITIA

Yes, please let us know if we can help in some way. I didn't do my homework on this, so my answer may not even help, but I'll dig deeper when I get time to try and find a better answer. I know my Uncle has been traveling with his church and they've been doing alot of rebuilding in flood areas in the South. Perhaps try your local churches?

 

[hensylee]

why not call a county commissioner (I know y'all arent counties, but the equivalent commissioner). There might be something there.

There is a program from the dept of agriculture (used to be called Farmer HOme - nothing to do with FHA) that might help you build. Check it out. It's a federal program. My sister was a real estate broker and she'd find lots (or people could have their own), the applicant would select a floor plan, the house would be built by a contractor of choice as long as he/she did it within the budget set. You have to qualify for it, but it is a grand program. Call your county farm fed agency.

 

[lcwhitney]

I will keep looking. No luck with THE MARCH OF DIMES. Also no county commissioner or parish equivilent. Napoleon strikes again! We should be rid of the napoleonic code laws around 2050.

Lettitia

 

[bvdr]

Lettetia, years ago I ran into several cases where the patient's home was not suitable for someone being discharged with involved mobility needs or specialized equipment. In some cases I found help through the department of aging. Sometimes they would refer me to a local organization who had volunteers for the purpose of building ramps, widening doorways or just removing doors. In one case of a wheelchair bound woman with MS they reworked a shower and remodeled a bathroom for her use. I know of no cases though where a whole house was built. We had a program called CAP which at times was very helpful. You may want to contact the social worker dept.at a large local hospital for leads on acquiring assistance. Let us know what you find out alright?

 

[Granbonny]

Lettetia..Perhaps you can get a family/friend..to write an editorial to your local newpaper....I live in a small county with a weekly newspaper..and if anyone needs assistance.....the local Banks will set up an account..Don't know the largest town you live nearby..(newspaper)..but I am sure many read the editorial pages and perhaps someone will see it that can help.. I remember that you wee a teacher?..perhaps one of your teacher friends could write it up? Bonnie

 

[lcwhitney]

The march of Dimes can't help.I like the social worker and or the council on aging Idea.I will let you know what I find.

Lettitia

 

[Mb]

Hello:

The Council on Aging in our area is definitely helpful to people in your situation.

That being said, I should add that the home you currently live in could be made handicap accessible. Ramps, door openings, hallway modifications, bathroom changes, lowering of countertops in kitchen. There is a plethora of equipment, etc. that works well for persons in your situation. You don't have to build, or move, most of the time. I own a construction firm, and we have both built new, completely accessible (google ADA requirements), and have modified homes and apartments for persons with disabilities. There are resources available.

Marybeth

 

[lcwhitney]

I will try the COUNCIL ON AGING. I only considered building a new home because since my stroke we live in a mobile home which means tha modifications are almost impossibleT he walls are practically held up by toothpicks. Consider the possibility ofstapling a tree to a toothpick and you have the general idea of what we are up against! We tried placing safety bars in the bathroom just after I came home. T he weight of the bar pulled it out of the wall!

Lettitia

 

[Mb]

Letticia:

In most areas, there generally are contractors who specialize in mobile home repairs. You are right, they are built differently than a "stick built" home. That being said, if grab bars are installed on the metal or wood studs, they will not pull out. I would suggest you find out from your neighbors, or the association, what contractor in your area specializes in repairs to mobile homes. - Marybeth

 

[lcwhitney]

I don't know of any ccontractors here that specialize in mobile home repairbut, I will look for one.

Lettitia

 

[catwoman]

Lettitia:

When my sister & brother-in-law started building their home on Lake Bob Sandlin near Pittsburg, TX, they designed it for wheelchair accessibility -- just in case. My sister has lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Luckily for them Tim is an architect. He & his son and many other family members did the construction (except pier & beams, air conditioning, septic tank and propane tank).

The house is 2 stories, with 3 bedrooms/2 baths down, 1 huge loft & 1/2 bath up. Most doorways are wide enough to permit wheelchair. Light switches are placed within reach of a wheelchair user. Dishwasher is raised to permi loading/unloading by a wheelchair user. Washer & dryer are raised and she opted for a front-loader.
The front porch has a few steps, but because they're wood, Tim can put in a ramp if needed. There is a flagstone area in front of the house, but again, since Tim & family did the labor themselves, I am certain they could make the changes as needed.

Maybe some of the above give you some ideas on what you might need.