[ho333ard]

Hi everyone,
Thanks to the mods for approving me!

I purchased a 3-flat in Chicago in late '05. One of the things I liked about it is that the ground floor is at ground level, only one step to enter, and I've been working around disability and would be thrilled to add to the pool of accessible housing. It looks like the apartment will come open soon.

My questions--

1) Are there any Chicago-specific forums where I could get advice and make conections? A web search didn't reveal much, seems like there ought to be a yahoogroup but I'll be darned if I can find it (it may be hidden from search) and I recently noticed a very inactive disabilities forum on craigslist, but it seems to be gone . . . not really interested in contacts with agencies-- my experience is that the one that would deal specifically with housing is a do-nothing agency, and my job doesn't give me time to play endless phone tag.

2) Any Chicago people here who can advise in terms of what's available and necessary for me to make an apartment wheelchair-user accessible? I had a new gagare built with extra door height and an extra 6 feet of space between where the car would be and the side door, although my hope is to find a carfree tenant (like myself).

3) It seems to me that by proritizing a wheelchair user for the apartment, I'm discriminating against "non wheelchair-users", which are not a protected class and thus there's no illegality in doing so. But perhaps there's some legal nuance I'm missing?

Thanks for any leads! Clarifying questions welcome.

[kiwiquad]

ho333ard, on May 18 2007, 01:36 AM, said:

Hi everyone,
Thanks to the mods for approving me!

I purchased a 3-flat in Chicago in late '05. One of the things I liked about it is that the ground floor is at ground level, only one step to enter, and I've been working around disability and would be thrilled to add to the pool of accessible housing. It looks like the apartment will come open soon.

My questions--

1) Are there any Chicago-specific forums where I could get advice and make conections? A web search didn't reveal much, seems like there ought to be a yahoogroup but I'll be darned if I can find it (it may be hidden from search) and I recently noticed a very inactive disabilities forum on craigslist, but it seems to be gone . . . not really interested in contacts with agencies-- my experience is that the one that would deal specifically with housing is a do-nothing agency, and my job doesn't give me time to play endless phone tag.

2) Any Chicago people here who can advise in terms of what's available and necessary for me to make an apartment wheelchair-user accessible? I had a new gagare built with extra door height and an extra 6 feet of space between where the car would be and the side door, although my hope is to find a carfree tenant (like myself).

3) It seems to me that by proritizing a wheelchair user for the apartment, I'm discriminating against "non wheelchair-users", which are not a protected class and thus there's no illegality in doing so. But perhaps there's some legal nuance I'm missing?

Thanks for any leads! Clarifying questions welcome.

Hi ho333ard...If you have Yahoo Messenger, get into Disabled room 1 or the fullest room (which is under Cultures & Communities & then 'Groups'.) I know for sure that there are wheelie Chicargoites who regularly chat in there, & would be more than willing to pass on their legal knowledge.
As for thinking that you may be discriminating against "non wheelchair-users", forget that thought...I designed my house & it is discribed as palacial by AB's & makes life easier for them too.
Skidfree ramps, doorsways widened, light switches lowered & a wet area ensuite/bathroom are on the top of the list. An environmental control system is priceless.
I'm more than happy to share pics of my home with you & anybody else who is undergoing such a project.
Best of luck...Jo'

This post has been edited by kiwigurl: 24 May 2007 - 08:44 PM

[KimAndSophie]

I have a few suggestions. I've noticed that a lot of "wheelchair accessible" condos around here (in Atlanta) claim to be "ADA compliant" but they have the controls for the AC up too high to reach, and most of them only have space for stackable washers and dryers. This seems to be a common thing that people just don't think of.



One condo in particular claimed they had worked with people with the ADA to make it fully accessible, and they even had the counter tops and light switches lowered and a roll in shower. Then they put a tiny space in the closet to put a stackable washer and dryer! If they realized we would have trouble reaching the sink, and light switches, how did they think we could stand up to do laundry?!



So, I'd make sure there's room for a front loading washer and dryer (make sure the closet etc. is deep enough as these are larger than regular ones). Also make sure light switches, ac controls etc are all low enough, windows can be opened at a sitting level, and that there is room to open the fridge/dishwasher doors and actually use them. It would also be a good idea to not use carpeting because it's hard to wheel over, and it just gets really dirty from the dirt from wheels.