Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Including disabled people in cohousing, especially forming communities

[Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah (welcome]

In a tip sheet to make homes more accessible from the outset, one tip was
 Make sure that all bathrooms are built with grip-rails near the toilet, 
and in the tub or shower, for older adults and others with balance problems 
to use these facilities with safety and confidence.

When my house was being built, my builder made every bathroom towel rod a de 
facto grab bar. In lieu of typical flimsy towel rods just screwed into drywall, 
he put blocking inside the wall and solidly attached towel rods made of rounded 
wooden banister, coated with a marine varnish. If I ever need true 
handicapped-assisting grab bars, they can be added. But in the meantime, not 
only do I have attractive wooden rods, but I can put my weight on one to help 
me get up out of my bathtub, and I know I could reach for such a bar if I lost 
my balance nearby. (They have also proved resistant to grandchildren hanging on 
them!)

Maraiah Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing, Port Townsend WA