Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Feedback requested: Accommodations for disabilities

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Accommodations for disabilities

There are many messages in the archives on this topic. The last time I remember 
discussing this the term to search for on the web is “universal design.” There 
are many websites, books, etc. that discuss what is dangerous, difficult, 
obstructing, etc, for people at various ages — it is an issue for all ages and 
all abilities.

Where I’ve come to on this is that every improvement in accessibility is useful 
to someone at every age. When one of our residents on wheels put in an 
automatically opening door on the Common House at this own expense, I thought 
well, it is really for his convenience so I’m glad he is paying for it. Wrong!

The door quickly proved itself to be useful to everyone — caregivers pushing 
strollers, people using carts to bring in groceries, with sprained or broken 
limbs, UPS, bringing food to potlucks, carrying a child who is melting down, 
and the just plain exhausted.

All the benefits to one group become a benefit to all. 

When it snows, smooth inclined entries are much easier to shovel than stairs. 
Children and other short people can work in the kitchen with lower counter tops.

Building cohousing is your opportunity to create a more workable environment, 
as well as economical.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org