Cohousing-L Mailing List: Thank you! Including disabled people in cohousing, especially forming communities

[Allison Tom (allison.tom]

I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my question about 
including disabled people in cohousing. I learned a lot fro the exchanges and 
hope that I will be able to write an article that will be accepted by 
Communities Magazine and will be of use to others.

I do want to comment briefly, after an exchange with both Catya Belfer and Ann 
Zabaldo, about the give/get topic in cohousing.  I know that there are givers 
and takers at all points of the ability-disability continuum, and I respect the 
importance of communities finding the right balance for the overall welfare of 
the group.  

As I said to them, I think that it’s a difficult to find the balance between 
attracting people who are looking for a place to “get” and being open to 
developing accommodation for people who need it in order to be active members 
of a community.  

I can tell from reading the cohousing literature that attracting so-called 
needy people is an ongoing challenge for cohousing.  I was very aware of this 
problem and it made it very difficult for me to ask for help because that was 
who/how I didn’t want to be.  

I’m very aware that my disability (any disability) won’t always be 
accommodated, but I do believe that there are things that can be done in early 
days that would help.  Open conversation about both needs and limits is 
critical.  

Thanks to all!

Allison