In the late nineties my husband Gary was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer. As his bones began to break, we had to sell our home in the country and find a home that could accommodate his declining mobility.

We heard through the grapevine a man we knew had just died. Upon his death, his paraplegic wife had to be moved into a facility. The house would have to be sold. Gary remembered the man had custom-built the home to be 100% accessible (one level, lower countertops, wide doorways and hallways, a step-in shower, enough room to turn around in the bathroom, grab bars, higher toilets, and wheelchair accessible deck across the back of the house). We made a generous offer on the house, bought it as is, and moved in within a few weeks. No modifications were necessary for Gary to get around in it. We thanked God.
 
After years of living in varying stages of declining mobility, Gary died on March 12, 2001, in his own home, according to his wishes. Because of what I learned through the process, I now speak to REALTORS, developers, builders, contractors, and architects on behalf of other consumers:
 

1. There is a shortage of accessible housing. Even finding housing that can be modified to be accessible poses a problem. But there is hope. A free public home search exists at www.HomeBridge.org , the first of its kind in the nation. Real estate companies are adding their listings with accessible features to the site. Housing and construction professionals can go to www.MobilityRules.com
2. Accessible Housing is the new “Green” movement: Green housing demands a small footprint (hence: stairs). We need more innovation in design, architecture, and building to successfully “morph” green and accessible design. Both movements make the same statement: proximity to public transportation, “pedestrian” friendliness, energy efficiency, and community with others. Both focus on health, wellness and safety.
3. Accessibility means visitability: Gary’s friends could visit him easily in our accessible home, but he could no longer visit his friends in their home. Doorways and hallways were too narrow for his big wheelchair, and stairs were out of the question. If a home is accessible, it is visitable. This also means it’s sustainable: Baby Boomers can “age in place”, one of the hottest topics on the table today.
4. Accessibility means better living and better resale. Our need for accessible housing goes beyond demographics. We need better housing design for other reasons: babies being born, debilitating back problems, a family member moving in, and injured young soldiers coming back from Iraq. After Gary died, a young family bought our home because of its livability. Within days. Grab bars and all.

For more information:
www.MobilityRules.com
Search for accessible housing listings. Innovative training tools and education. Learn more about the CMC designation.

www.BridgestoMobility.com
Consulting on adaptations to existing homes to improve accessibility.

www.easterseals.com/easyaccess
Links and literature on home remodels for accessibility