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In
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2003
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Press Release
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SCHAKOWSKY REINTRODUCES
VISITABILITY LEGISLATION
TO INCREASE NUMBER OF HOMES
ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS
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WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today reintroduced legislation
to increase the number of homes accessible to persons with mobility impairments.
The Inclusive Home Design Act, which is supported by numerous disability
organizations, would require all newly-built single family homes and townhouses
receiving federal funds to meet the following specific standards:
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Include
at least one accessible, or “zero step,” entrance into the home.
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Ensure
all doorways on the main floor have a minimum of 32 inches of clear passage
space.
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Build
at least one wheelchair accessible bathroom on the main floor.
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Place
electrical and climate controls (such as light switches and thermostats)
at reachable heights.
The
goal of the Inclusive Home Design Act is to greatly increase the number
of homes that are accessible to people with disabilities. It is based
on the concept of “visitability”: an affordable, sustainable and
inclusive design approach that integrates accessibility features into newly-built
homes. Visitability standards have been adopted by a number of towns
and states, including Naperville, Bollingbrook and Urbana, Illinois; Atlanta,
Georgia; Pima County, Arizona; Vermont; Texas; and Kansas.
“Currently,
only 5% of new single-family homes and townhouses built with federal assistance
require any access features that make it possible for people with mobility
impairments to live in or even visit. That is unfair and unacceptable,”
Schakowsky said.
Schakowsky
pointed out that homes that meet visitability standards are essential for
people with disabilities, sensible because 3 out of 10 people will face
a disability before they are 67, and practical if you want to invite a
friend or a family member over for dinner who is disabled.
“It
makes no sense to build new homes that block people out when it is easy
and cheap to build new homes that let people in and allow people to stay
in their homes. That is why I will continue to work with advocates
and my colleagues in Congress toward the passage of the Inclusive Home
Design Act,” Schakowsky said
The
legislation applies to new construction, not renovations of existing homes.
The average added cost per home for the required features run from $98
(for homes built on a concrete slab) to $573 (for homes with a basement
or crawl space). In multi-story homes, the requirements apply only
to the main floor.
Organizations
Supporting the Legislation:
American
Association of People with Disabilities
American
Association on Mental Retardation
American
Council of the Blind
American
Network of Community Options and Resources
Access
Living
Access
to Independence
American
Network of Community Options and Resources
ARISE
Arlington
Commission on Aging
Bazelon
Center for Mental Health Law
Brain
Injury Association of the United States
Chicago
Rehab Network
Coalition
of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois
Congress
for the New Urbanism
Disabilities
Rights Action Coalition
Easter
Seals
Iowa
City Human Rights Commission
Living
Independence Network Corporation
Making
Choices for Independent Living
National
Alliance for the Mentally Ill
National
Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
National
Association of the Councils on Developmental Disabilities
National
Council on Independent Living
National
Multiple Sclerosis Society
National
Organization on Disability
Paralyzed
Veterans of America
The
Arc of the United States
Takoma
Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities
United
Cerebral Palsy
VSA
Arts of Georgia
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