Accessibility and Assistive Technology
HMN: About the Home Modification Notebook
Last Updated
Making a home accessible for a person with disabilities requires careful planning. Usually the physical and/or occupational therapist at the medical facility where the person has been treated assist the family in transition. If not available, resources and services for professional home evaluations may be found through government and private agencies, for example: www.gtfl.org).
The term "home assessment" in this document will refer to the fact-gathering phase a person or family undertakes. The term "home evaluation" will refer to the evaluation done by professionals to help the family determine what home modifications are needed. The home assessment notebook is simply an organizational tool. It provides guidelines for each room, prompts for pertinent information, gives a location to gather phone numbers and resources relating to the remodeling effort as well as a place to note decisions as they are made. It suggests taking pictures of all areas needing modification. When working with the contractor later on, photos serve as visual reminders of issues to be addressed so there are no misunderstandings about the work to be done.
A home assessment by the family is the first step in providing a safe, functional environment for the person with special needs. It's especially important in cases where a professional in-home evaluation is not possible and therapists must base their recommendation on family-provided information. Whether the evaluation is done on-site or off-site, this home assessment notebook will prove a valuable aid for both the therapist(s) and family. If an at-home professional evaluation is possible, arrange to meet with the occupational and /or physical therapist on-site with or without the individual. Ask if this personal home assessment notebook should be completed before the visit.
The therapist(s) may want to work together with the family to complete the information. The following is needed to do a home assessment:
- Camera
- Retractable metal tape measurer
- Yardstick
- Assessment notebook (see below)
An assessment notebook requires:
- 2" 3-ring binder
- 3-hole-punched pocket folder to hold brochures and business cards
- Graph paper for making floor plans of each room
- Notebook paper for tracking decisions, to do lists, etc.
- Photo album pages to place pictures in each section
To set up the notebook, make a section for:
- General Information
- Equipment Measurements
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Dining/ Living Room
- Outdoors
- Miscellaneous
The information needed for each tab is listed by section in this document and can be printed off as individual pages. After working through the assessment notebook, copy all pertinent information and give to the physical and occupational therapist as well as the contractor who will be making home improvements.
Resources
Shepherd Center
Assistive Technology & Home Modification Group
2020 Peachtree Rd, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404.252.2020
www.shepherd.org
TechKnowledge
490 Tenth Street
Atlanta, GA 30356
800.726.9119
Information on resources & products for people with disabilities
www.techknowledge.net
Disability Action Center
246 Sycamore Street, Suite 100
Decatur, GA 30030
404.687-8890
Division of Rehabilitation Services, Tools for Life
ADA Coordinator
2 Peachtree St., NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Information and assistance on assistive technology
800.497.8665
www.gatfl.org - Georgia Tool for Life site. Excellent site for private, state and federal resources and funding for many needs including home modifications.
www.jan.wvu.edu - Free access to government documents relating to the American Disabilities Act – find ADA guidelines for accessibility.
General Guidelines
Jennifaye V. Brown, MSPT, NCS is a board certified as a clinical specialist in neurology by the American Physical
Therapy Association. As Owner/President of JVB Physical Therapy Services, Inc., Jennifaye is a guest lecturer; and provides therapeutic intervention and consultation primarily for the adult neurological population. Jennifaye's clinical skills are grounded in neuro-developmental treatment and her special interests include gait (walking) analysis & training; and ankle foot orthosis design to improve gait. Visit her website www.jvbneuropt.com for information concerning services provided; email: jennifaye@hotmail.com.