Resources

Organizations
Ramps
Lifts
Grab Bars
Housing Resources
More Information

Organizations that Promote Barrier-Free Environments and/or Offer Information

ADA Technical Assistance Program
http://www.adata.org/
A comprehensive resource for information on the Americans with Disabilities Act

Adapt
http://www.adapt.org/
An advocacy organization to keep people with disabilities living in their own homes and communities with the help of attendant services, rather than living in nursing homes; resources and information.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
http://www.aarp.org
National organization for people aged 50 or over offering diverse resources and benefits; the substantial Web site has a search option to locate articles on numerous topics, including those about home modification. Order a free copy of "The Do Able Renewable Home," from a vast collection of publications; AARP also maintains a library.

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
http://www.afb.org/
The AFB offers resources and information pertaining to all aspects of life for persons who are blind or visually impaired. AFB Information Center: 1-800-AFB-LINE (232-5463), or e-mail: afbinfo@afb.net

Center for Accessible Housing (CAH)
CAH publishes fact sheets, such as Financing Home Accessibility Modifications, Home Financing for Older People, Benefits of Accessory Unit Housing for Elderly Persons with Disabilities, The Housemate Agreement, and technical packages for using grab bars, universal design, etc. Contact: Center for Accessible Housing at North Carolina State University, (919) 515-3082.

Centers for Independent Living/ILRU
http://www.ilru.org/Directory/index.html
Look up the Center for Independence near you on The ILRU Web site (Independent Living Research Utilization). ILRU is a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living.

Concrete Change
http://concretechange.home.mindspring.com/
This organization has launched an international campaign to make virtually all homes visitable (accessible to all) by providing the most essential features; such as accessible entrances, exits, and interior doors. The organization advocates quick, widespread construction around the world.

Directory of Centers for Independent Living
http://www.virtualcil.net/cils
Click on your state for the CILs nearest you.

DisAbility.gov
http://www.disability.gov/
Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities: resources, services, and information available throughout the federal government, including information on the fair housing laws and housing resources.

Disability Resources Monthly Web-Watcher
http://www.disabilityresources.org/ARCHITECTURE.html
Thousands of the best disability-related resources on the Internet personally selected by the staff of Disability Resources Monthly and alphabetically arranged by subject.

Internal Revenue Service Info page-Publication 502
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/pubs/p50207.htm
Complete list of items you can and cannot deduct as medical expenses. For Instance, you CAN deduct porch lifts, ramps, and construction costs to modify a house for accessibility, as well as expenses incurred for same in rented dwellings, guide dogs, etc.

National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse (NAAC)
http://www.aptsforrent.com
NAAC is the only national database of accessible apartments, with a registration of more than 46,000 units, covering more than 155 major metropolitan cities.

NAHB Resource Center
http://www.nahbrc.org/
Technical experts in adaptive housing; publishers of many books and guides on adaptive building materials, how-to guides, and universal design; online bookstore.

National Center on Accessibility
http://www.ncaonline.org/welcome.htm
NCA is an organization committed to the full participation in parks, recreation and tourism by people with disabilities, technical assistance, courses, information, resources, and maps of accessible trails.

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
http://www.homemods.org/index.html
This organization is a clearinghouse of information to help elderly or frail individuals remain living in their own homes as comfortably and as successfully as possible. Among other things, NRCSH equips families and individuals with the knowledge to plan for their housing, health and supportive service needs.

RESNA
http://www.resna.org/taproject/policy/community/HMRG.htm
A concise guide covering definitions; fair housing laws and guidelines; initiatives from the Assistive Technology Act grantees; advocacy, financing, modification, and research resources; accreditations; online courses; and a bibliography. (Probably the most complete list of resources available regarding adaptive housing.)

United States Access Board
http://www.access-board.gov/
The Access Board is an independent federal agency that guides accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://www.hud.gov/disabled.html
Disability resource page on locating housing, financing home modifications, veteran's with disabilities, social security disability recipient benefits, homeless ness, and more.

Modular Homes

Chelsea Modular homes
http://www.chelseamodular.com/
Producers of modular homes based in up state NY; photos of modular homes.

Haven Modular Homes
http://www.havenhomes.com/main.htm
Producers of modular homes based in Pennsylvania; photos of modular homes.

Samson Modular Homes
http://www.samsonhomes.com/
Producers of modular homes based in Kentucky; photos of modular homes.

Products and Services

Access to Recreation, Inc.
http://www.coast-resources.com
P. O. Box 5072-430
Thousand Oaks, CA 91359-5072
Phone: (800) 634-4351
Daily living aids for kitchen, recreation, grooming, etc.

Aids for Arthritis, Inc.
3 Little Knoll Ct.
Medford, NJ 08055
Phone:(609) 654-6918
Phone:(609) 953-6917
A wide variety of tools that promote independent living.

Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc.
http://net/~annmor.www.webspan
890 Fams Ct., East Meadow NY 11554
Phone: (516) 292-9232
Catalogs available in large print, audio and IBM format disk. Braille edition is $6. Homemaker and daily living aids for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Beyond Barriers
http://www.beyondbarriers.com/
Grab bars, lifts and hoists, kitchen tools, personal mobility vehicles.

Builders-Contractors

If you're looking for a contractor or remodeler in your area that works specifically in accessible housing modification, contact the local office of the National Home Builders Association or National Building Industries (located in your yellow pages under "home builders") for a referral.

Hitec Group International
http://www.hitec.com
Hitec Group International distributes a diverse selection of communication products and other assistive technology devices (TTYs, signalers, adaptive electronics) for people with speech, visual, auditory and mobility impairments.

Life At Home
http://www.lifehome.com/
Products and tips for safety in the home, especially older adults.

Lighthouse Low Vision Products
http://www.lighthouse.org
36-20 Northern Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: (800) 334-5497
Homemaker and daily living aids for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

M.O.M.S. (Mail Order Medical Supply)
http://www.momsup.com
Telephone: (800) 232-7443
Fax: (800) 622-3429
Useful daily living aids, as well as home health care products delivered to your door.

Sammons Preston Catalog
http://www.sammonspreston.com
Telehone: (800) 323-5547 V; (800) 325-1745 TDD
Daily living, therapeutic and home health care products.

Smith & Atkins, Ltd.
P. O. Box 232
Tiffin, OH 44883
Phone: (419) 927-2615
Makers of shelves that raise and lower electrically.

Unlimited Solutions (Canada)
Telephone: (416) 221-9816 or (888) 246-6081
E-mail: fox.nstn.ca/~artmark
Daily living aids for the kitchen, bathroom, dressing, grooming, reading, writing, etc.

Grab Bar Manufacturers

Beyond Barriers
http://www.beyondbarriers.com/
Grab bars, lifts and hoists, kitchen tools, personal mobility vehicles.

C.D. Sparling
http://www.cdsparling.com/Default.asp
Grab bars, folding tub benches, shower seats.

Grabbars
http://www.grabbars.com/
ADA approved grab bars in colors.

Grabit Portable Grab Bar
http://www.grabitonline.com
Portable grab bars works with sturdy suction cups that support a lot of weight when attached to fiberglass tubs and showersl; take with on trips but test at home first.


Lifts

Able Access & Mobility
http://www.ableaccess.qpg.com/
All types of lifts.

Access Options Incorporated
http://www.infopoint.com/sc/health/access_options/building.html
Residential interior lifts, porch lifts, and vehicle lifts.

Access Industries
http://www.accessind.com/default.htm
A diverse selection of residential and commercial lifts, interior and exterior.


Ramps

Adaptive sales and Equipment
http://www.gaadaptiveequip.com/
Stairlifts, elevators, vertical platform lifts, incline platform lifts and many other types of lifting equipment for residential and commercial use.

Challenge Specialties Inc.
http://challengespecialties.com/
Ramps-portable, residential, commercial, home care products.

Disability Products Inc.
http://www.adv-safety.com/index.html
Portable and permanent ramps; good variety of other disability products.