RURALfacts: Accessible rural housing

As people with disabilities become increasingly independent, the demand for affordable, accessible rural housing is growing -- but the supply of suitable homes had not kept pace with the demand.

Local efforts in rural areas to build new accessible housing or make existing homes accessible, and architectural standards like "universal design" that make access features -- lever door handles, no-step entries, wide doorways, and electrical outlets at reachable heights, for example -- "standard equipment" in new construction are gradually increasing the rural stock of accessible homes. But zoning restrictions and lending policies are slow to change, and they present obstacles to building or financing homes with "unusual" features.

Because zoning and lending policies are locally determined, success in making accessible housing acceptable to zoning boards and lending institutions may not extend county-wide, beyond town limits or even into the next block.

But even when zoning and financing are not a challenge, accessible home seekers will find that architects and designers are not always aware of -- or interested in -- design elements critical to creating an accessible dwelling. Builders often don't understand that seemingly minor changes in the design of an accessible home (narrowing doorways, for example, or increasing the grade of a ramp, or replacing a ramp with a step) can make a home uninhabitable for a person with a disability.

This fact sheet lists resources that can help create accessible homes through advocacy, design information, remodeling techniques, product and trade resources, and educational opportunities for building industry professionals. Also see our latest factsheet: Visitability: Making Your Home a Welcoming Place for Visitors with Disabilities. Published in 2004, this brief report describes simple ways to make a home more welcoming to friends and family members with physical disabilities.

For more information on this and other rural independent living and community development issues for people with disabilities, contact:

The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC: Rural)
The University of Montana Rural Institute:
A Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research and Services, 52
Corbin Hall, Missoula, Montana 59812-7056
(888) 268-2743 | (406) 243-5760 | (406) 243-2349 fax

email the Rural Institute | rural@ruralinstitute.umt.edu

Housing Resources

Disability-Related Resources

Adaptive Environments Center, Inc.
374 Congress St., Ste. 301
Boston, MA 02210
(671) 695-1225

The Center directs the Universal Design Education Project, which works to improve design instruction for architectural students, industrial designers, interior designers and landscape architects. It houses the Rosemary and Gunnar Dybwad Library, including a comprehensive collection of print materials on universal design. Publications include The ADA Cost Catalog for Access Modifications.

Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University School of Design
Box 8613, Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
(800) 647-6777

Developed by universal design pioneer, Ron Mace, this is one of the best information sources and resources on accessible building design. The Center publishes a newsletter, UD Newsline, accessible housing plans, bibliographies, and information packets on funding and other design topics.

Concrete Change
600 Dancing Fox Road
Decatur, GA 30032

Advocates for "visitability" of all homes and correcting current building practices so that wheelchair users will be able to enter homes and use bathrooms in all new home construction.

Gateway ResourcesThese national organizations provide information and publications, and can direct you to other housing resources specific to your needs.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E St., N.W. (B4-211)
Washington, DC 20049

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
University of Southern California
Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
(213) 740-1364

Provides an on-line resource library, sponsors model local Home Modification Action Coalition, and is surveying states to compile a Compendium of Innovative State Home Modification Programs and Policies.

Architecture Department Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18^th St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
(800) 424-8200

Answers consumers' questions about home modifications and publishes "Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions for the Wheelchair User"

Breaking New Ground Resource Center
Purdue University
1146 Agricultural Engineering Bldg.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1146
(800) 825-4254

Provides resources and information for farmers and ranchers with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Publications include:

Plowshares #11, Guidelines for Construction of Ramps Used Rural Settings

Plowshares #19, Making Your Farmhouse Accessible

Improving Farmstead Accessibility

HUD (Housing & Urban Development) User
P.O. Box 6091
Rockville, MD 20849
(800) 483-2209

Publications include:

Homes for Everyone: Universal Design Principles in Practice

Residential Remodeling and Universal Design: Making Homes More Comfortable and Accessible

National Association of Home Builders
Research Center
400 Prince Georges Blvd.
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8731
(301) 249-4000

National Center for Seniors' Housing Research publications include:

Directory of Accessible Building Products

Retrofitting Homes for a Lifetime

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
4200 Forbes Blvd., Ste. 202
Lanham, MD 20706
800-346-2742

Provides information on federally-funded projects/publications on accessible housing.

ABLEDATA
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Phone: 800-227-0216 (Voice); 301-608-8912 (TTY).
Fax: 301-608-8958.
E-mail: email Abledata.

Maintains a federally-funded comprehensive database of disability-related equipment and services.

State Assistive Technology Projects

Each state has a federally-funded organization which provides information on disability-related equipment and services. Your state project can refer you to equipment suppliers and service providers in your area. Some projects also loan and/or lease equipment, arrange financing for equipment or home modifications, and have assessment facilities where you can try out equipment before purchase. The National Dissemination Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) maintains a list of all state assistive technology projects. Contact them at: (800) 695-0285.

Local Resources

Local Centers for Independent Living can direct you to resources. Two rural CILs that provide excellent services are:

Access Alaska, Inc.
3901 Taft Dr., Stes. A & B
Anchorage, AK 99517
907-248-4777 or 800-770-4488 (Toll-free AK)
907-248-8799 TT
(907) 248-0639 Fax
email Access Alaska Inc.

Access Alaska (Anchorage) - Fairbanks Satellite Office
3550 Airport Way, Suite 3
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4772
(907) 479-7940 or 800-770-7940 V (Toll-free AK)
907-474-8619 TT
(907) 479-4052 Fax
email office

Provides financial and technical assistance to modify Alaska residences for accessibility. With United Way, builds ramps during the annual "Day of Caring" and is field-testing new ramp technologies.

Disabled Citizens' Alliance for Independence, Inc. (Serving Crawford, Dent, Iron, Washington, and Reynolds Counties in Missouri)
Richard Blakely, Director
email Richard Blakely
P.O. Box 675
Viburnum, MO 65566
573-244-3315 V/TT or 573-244-5402
Fax: 573-244-5609 dcitizen@misn.com

Serving Southeast Missouri, DCAI provides home barrier removal and technical assistance on accessible home building.

USDA Cooperative Extension Service is a federal/county partnership providing agriculture-related information of all kinds. Listed as "Extension Service" under county government in phone books and usually housed in county office buildings, they may also direct you to Breaking New Ground's AgrAbility program

Vocational Education & Trade Schools, and Trade Unions are resources for technical information on construction and access problem-solving. They can also be a source of trained/certified construction workers.

Habitat for Humanity
121 Habitat St.
Americus, GA 31709-3498
(800) HABITAT

Local offices coordinate low-income building and housing rehab projects, including accessible homes for people with disabilities.

Building Supply Centers and Hardware Stores have more than building materials and access-related products. Their mainstream tools, gadgets, appliances and accessories are not only generally useful, but also can inspire creative solutions to a variety of disability-related problems.

Mail Order Companies; Department, Drug, Chain and Variety Stores, such as Shopko, Target, JC Penney and others now routinely sell safety grab bars, tub rails, toilet accessories, shower chairs and other accessibility items.

High-Tech Retailers like Radio Shack, The Sharper Image, stereo shops and phone company stores have remote control systems, telephones, intercoms, video, audio and other electronics for improving home access.

This factsheet was originally written by Nick Baker in 1995 and produced with the U.S. Department of Education's grant # H133B20002-94. Diana Spas updated it in 2004. Opinions expressed are those of the author (s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education.

Questions? Would you like to receive periodic updates about our research and training activities? Do you have comments or suggestions about this site? E-mail your requests, comments and suggestions to Diana Spas or call 888-268-2743 and ask for the Information Coordinator.


	Ruralfacts: Accessible Rural Housing Revised 2004
As people with disabilities become increasingly independent, the demand for affordable, accessible rural housing is growing -- but the supply of suitable homes had not kept pace with the demand. Local efforts in rural areas to build new accessible housing or make existing homes accessible, and architectural standards like "universal design" that make access features -- lever door handles, no-step entries, wide doorways, and electrical outlets at reachable heights, for example -- "standard equipment" in new construction are gradually increasing the rural stock of accessible homes. But zoning restrictions and lending policies are slow to change, and they present obstacles to building or financing homes with "unusual" features. Because zoning and lending policies are locally determined, success in making accessible housing acceptable to zoning boards and lending institutions may not extend county-wide, beyond town limits or even into the next block. But even when zoning and financing are not a challenge, accessible home seekers will find that architects and designers are not always aware of -- or interested in -- design elements critical to creating an accessible dwelling. Builders often don't understand that seemingly minor changes in the design of an accessible home (narrowing doorways, for example, or increasing the grade of a ramp, or replacing a ramp with a step) can make a home uninhabitable for a person with a disability. This fact sheet lists resources that can help create accessible homes through advocacy, design information, remodeling techniques, product and trade resources, and educational opportunities for building industry professionals. Also see our latest factsheet: Visitability: Making Your Home a Welcoming Place for Visitors with Disabilities. Published in 2004, this brief report describes simple ways to make a home more welcoming to friends and family members with physical disabilities. For more information on this and other rural independent living and community development issues for people with disabilities, contact: The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC: Rural) The University of Montana Rural Institute: A Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research and Services, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, Montana 59812-7056 (888) 268-2743 \| (406) 243-5760 \| (406) 243-2349 fax email the Rural Institute \| rural@ruralinstitute.umt.edu Housing Resources Disability-Related Resources Adaptive Environments Center, Inc. 374 Congress St., Ste. 301 Boston, MA 02210 (671) 695-1225 The Center directs the Universal Design Education Project, which works to improve design instruction for architectural students, industrial designers, interior designers and landscape architects. It houses the Rosemary and Gunnar Dybwad Library, including a comprehensive collection of print materials on universal design. Publications include The ADA Cost Catalog for Access Modifications. Center for Universal Design North Carolina State University School of Design Box 8613, Raleigh, NC 27695-8613 (800) 647-6777 Developed by universal design pioneer, Ron Mace, this is one of the best information sources and resources on accessible building design. The Center publishes a newsletter, UD Newsline, accessible housing plans, bibliographies, and information packets on funding and other design topics. Concrete Change 600 Dancing Fox Road Decatur, GA 30032 Advocates for "visitability" of all homes and correcting current building practices so that wheelchair users will be able to enter homes and use bathrooms in all new home construction. Gateway ResourcesThese national organizations provide information and publications, and can direct you to other housing resources specific to your needs. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) 601 E St., N.W. (B4-211) Washington, DC 20049 National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification University of Southern California Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191 (213) 740-1364 Provides an on-line resource library, sponsors model local Home Modification Action Coalition, and is surveying states to compile a Compendium of Innovative State Home Modification Programs and Policies. Architecture Department Paralyzed Veterans of America 801 18^th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20006 (800) 424-8200 Answers consumers' questions about home modifications and publishes "Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions for the Wheelchair User" Breaking New Ground Resource Center Purdue University 1146 Agricultural Engineering Bldg. West Lafayette, IN 47907-1146 (800) 825-4254 Provides resources and information for farmers and ranchers with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Publications include: Plowshares #11, Guidelines for Construction of Ramps Used Rural Settings Plowshares #19, Making Your Farmhouse Accessible Improving Farmstead Accessibility HUD (Housing & Urban Development) User P.O. Box 6091 Rockville, MD 20849 (800) 483-2209 Publications include: Homes for Everyone: Universal Design Principles in Practice Residential Remodeling and Universal Design: Making Homes More Comfortable and Accessible National Association of Home Builders Research Center 400 Prince Georges Blvd. Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8731 (301) 249-4000 National Center for Seniors' Housing Research publications include: Directory of Accessible Building Products Retrofitting Homes for a Lifetime National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 4200 Forbes Blvd., Ste. 202 Lanham, MD 20706 800-346-2742 Provides information on federally-funded projects/publications on accessible housing. ABLEDATA 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: 800-227-0216 (Voice); 301-608-8912 (TTY). Fax: 301-608-8958. E-mail: email Abledata. Maintains a federally-funded comprehensive database of disability-related equipment and services. State Assistive Technology Projects Each state has a federally-funded organization which provides information on disability-related equipment and services. Your state project can refer you to equipment suppliers and service providers in your area. Some projects also loan and/or lease equipment, arrange financing for equipment or home modifications, and have assessment facilities where you can try out equipment before purchase. The National Dissemination Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) maintains a list of all state assistive technology projects. Contact them at: (800) 695-0285. Local Resources Local Centers for Independent Living can direct you to resources. Two rural CILs that provide excellent services are: Access Alaska, Inc. 3901 Taft Dr., Stes. A & B Anchorage, AK 99517 907-248-4777 or 800-770-4488 (Toll-free AK) 907-248-8799 TT (907) 248-0639 Fax email Access Alaska Inc. Access Alaska (Anchorage) - Fairbanks Satellite Office 3550 Airport Way, Suite 3 Fairbanks, AK 99709-4772 (907) 479-7940 or 800-770-7940 V (Toll-free AK) 907-474-8619 TT (907) 479-4052 Fax email office Provides financial and technical assistance to modify Alaska residences for accessibility. With United Way, builds ramps during the annual "Day of Caring" and is field-testing new ramp technologies. Disabled Citizens' Alliance for Independence, Inc. (Serving Crawford, Dent, Iron, Washington, and Reynolds Counties in Missouri) Richard Blakely, Director email Richard Blakely P.O. Box 675 Viburnum, MO 65566 573-244-3315 V/TT or 573-244-5402 Fax: 573-244-5609 dcitizen@misn.com Serving Southeast Missouri, DCAI provides home barrier removal and technical assistance on accessible home building. USDA Cooperative Extension Service is a federal/county partnership providing agriculture-related information of all kinds. Listed as "Extension Service" under county government in phone books and usually housed in county office buildings, they may also direct you to Breaking New Ground's AgrAbility program Vocational Education & Trade Schools, and Trade Unions are resources for technical information on construction and access problem-solving. They can also be a source of trained/certified construction workers. Habitat for Humanity 121 Habitat St. Americus, GA 31709-3498 (800) HABITAT Local offices coordinate low-income building and housing rehab projects, including accessible homes for people with disabilities. Building Supply Centers and Hardware Stores have more than building materials and access-related products. Their mainstream tools, gadgets, appliances and accessories are not only generally useful, but also can inspire creative solutions to a variety of disability-related problems. Mail Order Companies; Department, Drug, Chain and Variety Stores, such as Shopko, Target, JC Penney and others now routinely sell safety grab bars, tub rails, toilet accessories, shower chairs and other accessibility items. High-Tech Retailers like Radio Shack, The Sharper Image, stereo shops and phone company stores have remote control systems, telephones, intercoms, video, audio and other electronics for improving home access. This factsheet was originally written by Nick Baker in 1995 and produced with the U.S. Department of Education's grant # H133B20002-94. Diana Spas updated it in 2004. Opinions expressed are those of the author (s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. Questions? Would you like to receive periodic updates about our research and training activities? Do you have comments or suggestions about this site? E-mail your requests, comments and suggestions to Diana Spas or call 888-268-2743 and ask for the Information Coordinator.