Additional Resources and Organizations
Housing
Last Updated:
Accessible Space, Inc. Directory of Independent Living Centers Independent Living Institute Life@Home American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access National Association of the Remodeling Industry Housing Associations and Cooperatives American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today DND Press Center for Universal Design Personal Assistance Referral Exchange Universal Home Disability Resources HUD The Independent Living Program Abletogo Center for Independent Living (Berkeley) Concrete Change CyberCIL Delta Rehabilitation Center New Jersey Association of Health Care Facilities The New York State Health Facilities Association North Country Independent Living Umbrella National Home of Your Own Alliance National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse Independent Living Research Utilization National Council on Independent Living Georgia Tools for Life
"The mission of Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) is to provide accessible, affordable, independent and supportive living opportunities for persons with physical disabilities and brain injuries, as well as seniors. This mission is accomplished through the development and cost-effective operation of cooperatively managed housing, supportive living, and rehabilitation services." ASI serves people in Minnesota, Nevada, Tennessee and other States.
A state-by-state directory of Independent Living Services designed & maintained by MetroWest Center for Independent Living, Inc., Framingham Massachusetts.
The Institute's purpose is to promote the opportunities of persons with disabilities to gain more personal and political power, self-determination, full participation and equality through information, training materials, consultancy and technical assistance. The Institute works in cooperation with other organizations which support these aims at the local, national and international level, including self-help groups in developing countries.
LAH is a one-stop provider of home modification products and services for senior citizens and the disabled. Our primary goal is to create a healthier living environment through preventative home modifications. Whether it be from an accident, a sickness, or from aging alone.
ADA provides free access to government documents required for commercial building regarding access. Though these guidelines are not required for home use, they serve as helpful guidelines.)
The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access Website includes a “Gallery of Bright Ideas” showcasing commercially available products and how-to design plans to improve accessibility of home entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms.
National Association of the Remodeling Industry lists remodeling and contractor information, tips and guidance under the Home Owners' Gide.
Housing Associations and Cooperatives provides information on housing associations and nonprofit organizations that finance or provide assistance with housing for people who ordinarily could not obtain it.
ADAPT fights so people with disabilities can live in the community with real supports instead of being isolated in institutions.
Disability Resource Library committed to bring information and resources to the disabled community, and to do its part in working toward the elimination of disabilities.
Center for Universal Design’s website Order easy-to-follow technical sheets describing different accessibility modifications.
Personal Assistance Referral Exchange helps people with extensive disabilities to find personal assistants in their hometown or other parts of the world they plan to visit.
This site for the AARP offers an excellent design guide for modifications to improve home safety and usability
Is housing a viable option for you or your child? Are you looking for an accessible home? Do you feel you've been a victim of housing discrimination because of your disability? This site provides links to web sites that deal with a variety of disability-related housing issues. (For information about designing accessible homes, see Architecture / Home Modification .)
The site of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides documents, such as The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and other federal laws that prohibit housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.
The Independent Living Program (IL) is a federal-state initiative to improve access to community-based and integrated residential services for individuals with disabilities. Independent Living Centers provide community-based advocacy and peer counseling, case management, personal assistance and counseling services, information and referral, independent living skill development and emergency services. Independent Living Programs seek to ease the transition from institutional care to the community, to increase the availability and accessibility of affordable housing options and to improve access to other services, such as transportation, that serve to unlock doors to the community.
Abletogo lists hotels, motels, guest houses, self catering, caravans and holiday centers to those with mobility difficulties.
Concrete Change promotes wheelchair accessible construction in all homes. Provides detailed construction guidelines and cost estimates for barrier free design in new homes.
CyberCIL is an excellent source of independent living skills builders.
The Delta Rehabilitation Center in Snohomish, Washington is home to about 150 people who struggle every day to overcome the devastation caused by severe brain injury.
NJAHCF is a non-profit, trade association dedicated to enhancing long term health care for New Jersey. It contains a locator for long-term care sites in the state.
NYSHFA is a statewide, membership organization of over 300 licensed nursing facilities.
North Country Independent Living, located in scenic New Hampshire, provides an alternative to institutionalized and campus living for persons with acquired brain injury.
Umbrella, located in upstate New York, offers disabled homeowners help with cleaning, snow shoveling, repairs around the house. Workers are mainly retired persons.
National Home of Your Own Alliance offers technical assistance through the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. The center's web site includes state coalitions, barriers, links, Section 8 voucher information, funding sources, and related material.
NAAC maintains a national database of accessible apartments, with a registration of more than 46,000 units. Its web site includes information about the organization, a toll-free number to contact for apartment referrals, and a form to list an apartment.
ILRU is a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living. Its goal is to expand the body of knowledge in independent living and to improve utilization of results of research programs and demonstration projects in this field. It is a program of TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research), a nationally recognized medical rehabilitation facility for persons with disabilities.
The National Council on Independent Living is the national umbrella organization of the Independent Living movement in the United States. It is a membership organization that advances the independent living philosophy and advocates for the human rights of, and services for, people with disabilities to further their full integration and participation in society. This site provides a state-by-state listing of independent living centers.
Georgia Tools for Life site offers an excellent resource for resources and funding.