Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Required handicap access to 2nd floor/elevator

[Stuart Joseph (stuart]

In our town, a common house is considered public. I assume that it is 
the case in most places, especially since the building is shared by the 
community. I would check with the American Disabilities act or your 
architect.

As a handicapped person, I am disturbed by the thought of folks not 
taking my needs into account and discriminating against me to save a few 
dollars. It would also dissuade me from joining the community, even if I 
weren't handicapped. By not installing a lift, you would be preventing 
me from using the multi-purpose room. If the bedrooms are for guests, 
what would happen if I had handicapped friends that wanted to visit or 
do something in the multi-purpose room?

How would a handicapped person do their laundry if it is in the basement 
and there was no lift?

Are you planning to make the doors to meet the ADA standards?

These days, you don't need a full blown elevator between floors, there 
are lifts available that are very reasonable in cost. It is always 
easier and cheaper to do things during construction rather than 
retro-fitting it if the laws, or uses of the space, do change in the future.

Are your houses being planned for handicapped accessibility or the 
option to do so?

I am very passionate about this and I would really consider it 
discrimination, but there is also a dollars and sense consideration, not 
only on installation costs, but you are cutting off potential members 
from joining your group.

My $.02..

maryvk [at] tellink.net wrote:
> Greetings 
>
> We are working hard to control costs on our Common House for our new community 
> so we can have what we want but be able to build it this spring.
> Our design has our bedrooms on the second floor along with a multipurpose room. 
>  Basement has laundry and storage only.  First floor has a handicap bathroom.
>
> We'd like not to put in an elevator or even the shaft for future use.  Must we 
> do this?  Are Common Houses typically treated like one's private home or a 
> public building with required handicap features?  Thoughts and lessons learned?
>
> Your prompt reply is appreciated and thank you for your help.
>
> Mary Kaplan
> Nubanusit Farm and Neighborhood
> Peterborough NH
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--
Stuart Joseph, 802-463-1954
36 Front St.
Bellows Falls, Vermont, 05101 USA
http://www.caercoburn.org



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