Accessibility/Inclusion Topics

Visitable Housing

Imagine if you could find a house that was easy to move into: had wider doorways and an entrance with no steps! Wouldn't it be easier to move in furniture and those very heavy appliance?

Now imagine that your home welcomes everyone. Anyone you know who uses a wheelchair, a walker, or has a broken leg can actually come over to your house for coffee or a party.

Right now it is very difficult to find such a home. However one of the goals of the Measuring Up The North project is to facilitate the participating communities to develop policies and practices around Visitable homes.

How many homes have you visited in the past 25 years? Here is an interesting quote: "In the past 25 years, I have only visited 2 friends or family homes." - Pat Harris, MUTN Core Project Team.

What would you do if your Aunt Ruth (who uses a wheelchair or walker) wanted to come to a party at your home? Would you have to carry them up the stairs? Or would you have to change locations?

What if your spouse/partner broke their leg? How would they get into and out of your house?

What Are Visitable Homes?

These are homes that have basic access: one no step entrance, doors that are at least 34" throughout the main floor and a bathroom on the main floor.

There have been several homes built like this in the USA and in Canada. Two cities in the USA (Bolingbrook, Illinois and Pima Arizona) mandate that all new homes be built this way.

Some important resources:

• Visitability
• Understanding the status of visitability in Canada
• Creating Stepless Entrances
• Housing Visitability: A necessary trend