Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Stories about making accessibility a priority?

[Kay Argyle (argyle]

The most recent discussions on accessibiity were in June 2003 -- look in the
archives for the thread on "Universal Design" (plus various off-shoots). It
includes messages in which I addressed the ways Wasatch Commons was designed
to accommodate impaired mobility.

> ... we have residents with multiple chemical sensitivity, ...

Modifying the physical environment, once, is far easier than modifying
people's behavior on an on-going basis. You install curb cuts, grab bars,
Braille signs.  You avoid using chipboard or seal it extremely well to
prevent formaldehyde offgassing.  If the problem is perfumed toiletries ...
everybody's behavior has to change every day.  That's hard.  That's very
hard.

Moreover, nobody minds being deprived of formaldehyde.  Giving up your
favorite hand lotion, even for a neighbor's safety, is a wrench.  (It's a
wrench when it's your own health!  Once in a while I mournfully take my
bottle of Tea Rose cologne out of the cupboard and stroke it.  I tell myself
the oils in it have surely oxidized by now, but I can't bring myself to
throw it away.)

I suppose if it was easy, it wouldn't be inspiring.  People have gotten more
tolerant of our most asthmatic member choosing to sit outside the meeting
room, instead of someone inevitably demanding she "join the circle."  Fewer
people wear perfumed toiletries to meetings now, and some make a real effort
to be unscented, showering & putting on fresh clothes.  Sometimes it's a
step back for every two forward, and there are always new members to
educate, but things do change.

Kay

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