Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Disabled folks in your community?

[Larry Miller (larry.miller]

Hi Laura,

After reading your email, I would like to suggest that cohousing might be an 
ideal environment
for you. I have no idea of what your disability actually is but, in general, 
cohousing is more
accepting and more willing to make adjustments than any other form of living 
arrangement I can
think of. 

Here at Oak Creek Commons, in Paso Robles, CA, we have several people in 
various stages of
incapacity. The layout was intended to be completely wheelchair accessible but 
during
construction, a few homes ended up with steps that were not planned. However, 
there is a 1
Bedroom for rent and a 2 bedroom for sale (not on the market) that are 1 story. 
The common house
is readily accessible with an elevator to the underground central parking. Most 
important, we,
and probably most cohousing, tend to have an attitude of support and 
cooperation toward those
who may have various types of challenges.

Larry Miller
Oak Creek Commons

-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Rifkin [mailto:lrifkin12 [at] mac.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 8:45 AM
To: stuart [at] caercoburn.org; Cohousing-L
Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Disabled folks in your community?


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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