Re: Disabled folks in your community?
From: Laura Rifkin (lrifkin12mac.com)
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:45:34 -0700 (PDT)
Hi all,

I have just recently joined this list and am absolutely delighted to see this discussion. I am a disabled lesbian living in Oakland and have been thinking lately about the possibilities of co-housing. Whenever I think about it, I remember past experiences trying to live collectively and how because there was no disability consciousness there was often resentment on the part of able-bodied members of the household (this was a long time ago). Emphasis was put on the type of work that involved "building things, gardening, fixing things, etc. etc."-- these were not tasks I was able to do, although I could do cooperative cooking, was a phenomenal organizer, and had other "process/facilitation" skills to contribute. I had a wonderful design sense, loved to water the garden and plant, but emphasis was always placed on heavy duty tasks and one's ability to contribute on that level. It was a hard experience and left me feeling very
 discouraged when I think about living in community.

On the other hand, I grew up in NYC in a large cooperative housing development which had hundreds of older people, families, children, people with disabilities, etc. etc. on the Lower East Side of NY. As a child the benefits of living in community were so clear and wonderful. It worked wonderfully because of the diversity. I remember as a child shopping for older members of the community and learning such important lessons about interdependence, and valuing elders.

I can't tell you how moved I am to read this conscious discussion on the part of those who are really making it happen. People with disabilities are so often isolated and left out. I know I have been thinking my disability would be the biggest obstacle in being part of a co-housing community. All of these letters have made me re-think that and I now see it is possible to live with loving and diverse people and actually be valued for one's individuals contributions.

Thank you all so much for sharing,

Laura Rifkin, Ph.D.


On Mar 25, 2008, at 7:03 AM, Stuart Joseph wrote:


Sharon,
You are correct. I have problems walking any great distance so I am
limited as to the places I can visit, not just cohousing communities but
social events, festivals, etc.

The Americans Disabilities Acts mandates accessibility in public spaces and that includes the Common House, so folks may not have a choice about
paying for things.

I do like the idea of the electric doors not only for the reasons you
mentioned but for entrance by someone in a handicapped scooter or
electric wheelchair.

Sharon Villines wrote:
As Raines said there is lots on this in the archives, but I wanted to
say again what I've said before -- everyone is disabled at some point
and probably several times. Life is much easier if you plan your
community around people needing no stairs or electric doors, etc.

The people who most use our elevator are not those who have walking
problems but those with children -- it's faster, they are in stroller,
they are carrying too much stuff. The electric front door was a huge
boon to those pushing strollers, with grocery carts, on crutches,
carrying boxes, etc.  Wide doors are a real convenience and narrow
doors seem very strange when you get used to wide doors.

Thinking this way will help everyone agree to pay for features that
many think will benefit only a few. It is much more likely that
everyone will benefit.

There is also the issue of visiting. If your whole complex is
accessible, everyone can visit everyone else.

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



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