[Blind-rollers] modifications.

Thu Jul 16 21:52:18 UTC 2009

One thing about ramps, especial for those of us who are blind: it should 
have banks on the sides so you don't accidently roll off the edge.
I had a ramp put into my garage when we lived in NC and it was rather 
long -- the rise was only maybe 1 foot but the ramp was a couple of yards. I 
think the 1ft ramp to 1ft rise is way too steep. There are usually codes 
specifying what is appropriate in your state for accessible housing.
Our house now in Minnesota doesn't need a ramp. (Yay!!!)  As for ovens, you 
need to get one with the controls in front of the burners instead of behind. 
I think only GE makes these any more, but I'm not sure. We have one.  My 
mother doesn't like doing business with GE because of their dealings with 
Iran, but in a global economy you can't always control how people do 
business.

As for doorways, I think 30 inches is wide enough for most wheelchairs.  You 
should get on the internet and check for the building codes for 508 
compliant housing.
Of course, you can do whatever you want with your own home, but if you go to 
sell it it is nice to be able to say it is code compliant.

Caveat: Grumble, grumble -- sometimes codes are not what they're cut out to 
be -- the builder who built the home my Mom and I are living in now insisted 
I could get around as it was all "code" -- that word. The door on the 
bathroom made it impossible for me to get on the toilet and the grab bars 
were all in the wrong places for my needs.  He meant well and I appreciated 
he tried to take care of things -- he was quite proud of the house -- but 
the first thing I did was have the bathroom door removed in my bathroom and 
a screen put up for privacy.
My mother thinks this is unacceptable and wants to put the door back on 
swinging the opposite direction, but that is wrong as well, so for the time 
being I am living with the screen as the best solution.

Oh, and another pet peeve -- the builder put the circuit breaker box way up 
by the ceiling where a normal person would have to get on a ladder to access 
it.  I asked him why he hadn't put it down where I could reach it as this 
was supposed to be an accessible house.  He couldn't understand why I would 
want such a thing when I could just get someone else to deal with the 
breakers.

Oh well.  2 steps forward and 3 steps back.

Good luck with your house.
--le

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Holly Alonzo" <mommaholly at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind wheelchair users list'" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] modifications.

Thanks for that .  I'll give the state a call.  Doc will prescribe a
power wc and I told him about the scooter store and he said he will call
them himself and if they still won't do it then he'll just get it from
somewhere else.  lol

Holly Alonzo
www.hollyalonzo.com

You can get a copy of my book online at
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If you would rather Order a book directly from me.  You may send an
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and request a copy.  A payment method can be arranged.  I will do
whatever is best for you.

I have a print copy and an electronic copy.  The print copy is on solid
white paper with 14 point font, easier for low vision people to read.  I
also have accessible electronic copies for those using screen readers.
Print copies are $13 and the electronic copy is $7.

All profits from books sales will go toward funding for the Auditory
Brainstem Implant.  Please support and buy a book if you can.

-----Original Message-----
From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jennifer Aberdeen
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:09 PM
To: Blind wheelchair users list
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] modifications.

Hi Holly,

The state paid for my ramp...they had to come and do measurements so
that
the ramp would be "up to code." Perhaps you could contact a state agency
or
non-prophit to help you with that...payment etc.

I can't give you any advice with anything else because there's nothing
else
in my house that is accessible...I can't wait until I get my accessible
apartment.

Jen

Shop my AVON online store http://jaberdeen.avonrepresentative.com

Get healthy!
http://jaberdeen.qhealthbeauty.com

Contact me:

Jennifer Aberdeen
PO Box 1184
Woonsocket, RI 02895
401-762-3258 (home)
401-644-5607 (cell)
freespirit328 at gmail.com
SKYPE: J.Aberdeen
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Wick" <wickps at gmail.com>
To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] modifications.

Hi Holly,

What modifications your house needs depends on the specific needs of
your disability. (e.g. I use fewer grab bars than someone who is a
quad)Just measure the wheelbase of your chair for the doorways. The
slope of the ramp (and consequently the amount of space it takes up) is
determined by the height that you are trying to reach. (e.g. 1 foot of
rise for every one foot of ramp is the steepest is should be. Hope this
helps.

Paul

On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 1:46 PM, Holly Alonzo<mommaholly at gmail.com>
wrote:
> Hi all. Can you tell me what needs to be modified I in a house for a
> wheelchair? This house has no wheelchair accessibility because I never

> needed in the past. How wide do doorways need to be? Ramps,go that,
> what about stove and such. Basically any modifications that needs to
> be made.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Holly Alonzo
>
> www.hollyalonzo.com <http://www.hollyalonzo.com/>
>
> <outbind://18/Never%20Giving%20Up%20Hope_files/image002.jpg>
> You can get a copy of my book online at
> http://stores.lulu.com/hollyalonzo
>
>
>
> If you would rather Order a book directly from me. You may send an
> email to
>
> booksales at hollyalonzo.com
>
> and request a copy. A payment method can be arranged. I will do
> whatever is best for you.
>
>
>
> I have a print copy and an electronic copy. The print copy is on solid

> white paper with 14 point font, easier for low vision people to read.
> I also have accessible electronic copies for those using screen
> readers. Print copies are $13 and the electronic copy is $7.
>
>
>
> All profits from books sales will go toward funding for the Auditory
> Brainstem Implant. Please support and buy a book if you can.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blind-rollers mailing list
> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Blind-rollers:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org/wickps%40
gmail.com
>

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