The Time For 'Visitability" Is Now!

Here's an issue that makes so much sense that it is dumbfounding that it isn't an automatic thing. No, instead we need to fight for years to get it passed in the legislature. Visitability is simply building a structure right from the design point that is either accessible (using ADA standards) or can easily be modified for accessibility later on. For instance, all structures should have all doorways built to the 36' specification right from the start. Its silly not to do this, I mean we are all aging and at some point no matter how good our health, the chances are that we'll develope some kind of impairment. And there's nothing worse then having to leave a family member or friend out of a get-together because they can't navigate their way through your house or apartment. Just put the basics into the building codes and we'll be helping ourselves without putting a costly burden in the original construction, its when you have to tear the house up to make it accessible that the costs get prohibitive and sometimes land people in nursing homes because their houses aren't habitable for them.

Please help us with this by following the link below and following the instructions. The NYS Senate has been moving this bill from committee to committee, probably hoping we'll lose track of it.

Click here to send your message for the Visitability.

Here is some basic information on this issue:

"Visitability" is a movement to change home construction practices so that new homes offer specific features that would make it easier for people with a mobility impairment to occupy and visit. The spirit of "Visitability" is the belief that it is unacceptable that new homes continue to be built with gross barriers, given the ease and low cost of building basic access into the majority of new homes and the harsh effects major barriers have on people's lives, including physically unsafe conditions, social isolation and unwanted institutionalization. Visitability requires only those accessibility features needed to allow a person with a mobility impairment to comfortably visit a home, not the full range of features that make a building "accessible."

The purpose of this bill is to establish minimum regulations for the design and construction of new single family homes, townhouses or the ground unit of a building with three or less units. This bill only affects new homes that are built using state or federal funds and subsidies.

The bill establishes minimum standards in every home for accessibility for the mobility impaired:

o At least one no-step entrance to the home from the public street or driveway to the exterior door

o All interior doorways at least 36 inches wide

o All environmental controls on the ground level at accessible heights, between 15 " and 48" from the ground

o One accessible bathroom on the ground level

Additional Information:

Visitability adds inexpensive basic safety for occupants and visitors who have mobility impairments, adds convenience for all persons, and neither detracts aesthetically nor adds significant cost. It will become increasingly important as New York's Baby Boomers age, and more of them acquire disabilities.

The concept of Visitability applies to all people, not just people with disabilities. It is not traditional "accessible housing." The concept of visiting is an important one that allows for a more inclusive society. We anticipate that majority of homeowners of Visitable homes will be people who do not have disabilities, but have parents, grandparents, and other relatives and friends who do. Visitable homes will be friendly for everyone at any point in their life. It will allow residents to "age in place." Costly ramps and extended nursing home stays will be unnecessary in cases of an illness or sports injury, because it will be easier to recover at home. Visitable homes help all occupants by making moving appliances and furniture easier.

Several other states and many municipalities have already adopted visitability statutes. These statutes are necessary because current state or federal laws do not require single family homes, duplexes and triples to have basic access. The information here can be found in part at www.drach.org and www.concretchange.org.