home modifications and assistive technology in the home

Home Modifications and

Assistive Technology in the Home

Presenters: Naomi Hubert, Housing Programs Director Community and Housing Services

Easter Seals Central Texas

John C. MorrisAssistive Technology CoordinatorTexas Technology Access Program

Home Modifications The term ‘home modifications’

encompasses a broad range of alterations made to one’s home in order to create a

more usable and comfortable environment in which to carry out daily activities.

HOME MODICIFCATIONS: Simple to Complex

Single Lever

Door Handle

Door width 32”

Actual opening is approx. 30”

StandardDoor Hinge

Off Set Hinge

Door width is 32”

Actual opening is approx. 31 ½”

Shower Hose

Fold Down Grab Bars “Designer” Grab Bars

Walk-In Tub

Single Lever Faucets

Pull Out Shelves

Pull Down Shelves

‘Reacher’

BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS

BEFORE AFTER

shower

closet

storage

storage

shower

storage

Funding for Home Modifications

Texas Department of Housing and Community AffairsAmy Young Barrier Removal Program

www.tdhca.state.tx.us

Easter Seals Community and Housing ServicesCHAMP

http://centraltx.easterseals.com

Other Resources

City and/or County Home Repair Programs

Department of Veterans Affairswww.va.gov

US Department of Agriculturewww.usda.gov

Urban League, Community Action Agencies, Services for the ElderlyTexas Technology Access Program (device loan program)

Can I get a grab bar installed in my bathroom?

ADVOCATING FOR HOME MODIFICATIONS

The Fair Housing ActEstablishes design and construction requirements for

multifamily housing of four or more units built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 (privately funded)

Landlords/Owners cannot refuse to make reasonable accommodations when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling

Landlords/Owners are not required to pay for the modifications but can request that the tenant restore the unit to it’s original condition

Does not cover single family homes

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Access requirements apply to new construction of federally subsidized multi-family housing having 5 or more units constructed after July 11, 1988

A percentage of units must be made readily accessible and not merely adaptable for people with disabilities

Request for reasonable accommodations cannot be refused and are completed at the owner’s/landlord’s expense

Does not cover single family homes

• City of Austin – Basic Access Ordinance in 1998• Texas Statewide Basic Access Law

Basic Access Legislation

Applies to single family homes constructed with public funds

Basic Access requirements are very similar to the Fair Housing Design Guidelines

A term used to describe all of the tools, products, and devices, from the simplest to the

most complex, that can make a particular function easier or possible to perform.

Assistive Technology

Intercom Systems

Hard-wired

Battery operated

Linked with other systems

Keyless Entry

Automatic Door Openers

Hearing Aids for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Vision Aids for people with visual impairments

Magnifiers

Scanner/Reader

Personal Digital Assistant/PDA

Communication BoardsAugmentative & Alternative

Communication

On Screen Key Board

Assistance Using Computers

Eye Tracker Systems

Mouse replacement device that allows the user to place the mouse pointer anywhere on the screen by simply

looking at the desired location.

Environmental Control Units: enable people with disabilities to control their personal

environment including telephones, televisions and other infrared devices, lights, appliances, electric beds and

personal computers.

E C U

Environmental Control Units/ECU

Activities of Daily LivingUniversal Holders

Toothbrush-Razor HolderEasy Key Turner

EZ- Spray Handle

Utensil Holder

Activities of Daily LivingWriting and Typing Aids

Writing Aid Slip onWriting Aids

Reading Writer Clip

Baseball Cap Head Pointer

Activities of Daily LivingReachers and Grabbers

Bed Pull Up Lightweight aluminum reachers Rainbow Reacher

Activities of Daily LivingReachers and Grabbers

Reachers Quad Reacher Reacher with Power Grip and Hooks

Activities of Daily LivingDressing Aids

Leg Lifter Flexible Hair Dryer Stand

Button and Zipper Aid

Activities of Daily LivingCooking and Eating

Safety I-Can Opener

Adjust a Scoop And Spoon (Measuring System) Food Guard

ResourcesAssistive Technology Loan

Programs

Vocational RehabilitationAnd

Independent Living Services

Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP)

A voucher program that provides financial assistance for the purchase of specialized

assistive equipment or services for individuals whose disability interferes with their

ability to access the telephone network.

1-800-628-5115 or TTY 1-866-581-9328http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/stap.shtml

Medicare?Medicaid?

Easter Seals Central Texas Community and Housing Services

1611 Headway Circle, Bldg 2Austin, Texas 78754

512-615-3377nhubert@eastersealstx.com

The University of Texas at AustinTexas Center for Disability StudiesTexas Technology Access Program

10100 Burnet Road, Bldg 137 (CMS) Rm 1.160Austin, Texas 78758-4445

Office: 512-232-0753http://techaccess.edb.utexas.edu