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UNIVERSAL DESIGN

“Visitability,” a growing movement focusing on making individual homes accessible by targeting the most fundamental, inexpensive features––getting in and out of the house and being able to use a bathroom––has gained important support from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Institute’s accessibility standards, known as ANSI A117.1, will include design criteria for visitability features that could be adopted by municipalities or implemented by state or local ordinances across the country. ANSI A117.1 serves as the accessibility standard adopted by many jurisdictions nationwide since 1961 (see sidebar) Visitability" is a growing trend nationwide. The term refers to single-family or owner-occupied housing designed in such a way that it can be lived in or visited by people who have trouble with steps or who use wheelchairs or walkers. A house is visitable when it meets three basic requirements:

• one zero-step entrance.
• doors with 32 inches of clear passage space.
• one bathroom on the main floor you can get into in a wheelchair
• and more
  check out

            http://www.visitability.org/

Housing designers have found a better way. It's called "universal design." Homes that have universal design features look like other homes. But they are much easier to use.

More people want universal housing. This means that the old ways of designing homes just don't work anymore. We all want more comfort in our homes. Opening doors with arms full of groceries is as difficult at 30 as it is at 70. People live longer than they used to. More of us are living with disabilities. The traditional home that serves you well when you are healthy won't always take care of you when you break a leg or hurt your back. Younger people want a home that will take care of them when they are sick or injured. People now realize that they need homes that will grow old with them. The 82 year old still wants to live in her own home. She just needs a home that allows her to do it. That's where universal design comes in.

http://www.concretechange.org/hb2353text.htm

 "Disability Awareness Day"

Rockland Independent Living Center held a "Disability Awareness Day" at El Dorado Middle School in Chestnut Ridge. Eleven staff members from RILC participated in the event which will now be held annually. Advocates Joel Taveras and Bryan Hauser and RILC board member Audrey Rosenfield did a fine job coordinating this event. We plan to have Disability Awareness Days in many Rockland schools in the future.

"Accessible Taxi Cabs?"

 Rockland Independent Living Center System Change Advocate is working with United Spinal Association  in getting legislation introduced and passed in the New York State Senate and Assembly that would mandate that a percentage of taxi cabs in New York State be accessible to people with disabilities. As usual Senator Thomas P. Morahan is helping people with disabilities by introducing the bill to the New York Senate.

The Town of Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips has provided a van accessible handicapped parking space in front of Haverstraw Town Hall at the request of a Rockland Independent Living Center Systems Change Advocate. We thank Mr. Phillips for his actions in accommodating people with disabilities. 
        
 

People with disabilities deserve opportunity to cast vote in person 
(Read complete article click here)     
January 22, 2008    Rockland Journal News            

New York State has selected the accessible voting machines for 2008.
Rockland County selected the Premier Automark BMD. Nearly all the counties
will be using Ballot Marking Devices that have totally accessible features like
the ability to listen to a ballot with headphones, or change the contrast or size of the machine's display and a variety of options to mark the ballot. These machines will be available in addition to all the lever machines until 2009.

                            TO READ CURRENT NEWS ARTICLES. click here 

   Rockland program seeks mentors for the disabled click here
   Independent Living Center hosts meeting to help people with disabilities click here 
   Nonprofit center finds  new home at  Nanuet Mall     
   Employers honored during National Disability Employment Awareness Month
   New voting machines empower disabled
   Helen Hayes Hospital honors patients Rockland Independent Living Center award:                 CyberCafe celebrates third anniversary  
   County debuts voting machines August 24, 2006
   New York State is  being sued by United States Justice Civil Rights Division (click)
   Sharing taxis irks some riders   Click
   Plan expands bus service          (click)
   Disabled voters find an ally at CyberCafe  (click)  
  Taking charge Program lets clients select, manage aides click      
   ELEVEN MINUTES IN TIME  click to read AUGUST 2004  
   visitability  http://www.concretechange.org/  Resources for builders,  and advocates.

                                                     ADVANCED DIRECTIVES:  http://www.putitinwriting.org/putitinwriting_app/index.jsp
               (watch video at website) Down load necessary forms