August 16, 2007
Homebuilder Brings Accessibility to the Fore in New Homes
by Linda Crabtree
GRIMSBY - My husband loves that new car smell. Ill take the heady aroma of a new house any day. That mixture of sweat, sweet wood, paint, glue, and heaven knows what else gets my blood stirring and I love it. And when that home is accessible, well, guess who's in seventh heaven.
A recent trip to Quality Homes in Grimsby had my mind swimming with possibilities. Dont get me wrong, I love our 18-year-old fully accessible home, but there are so many new things to see and the folks at Quality know disability. They have anticipated, for the most part, what I need, and are open to anything else I might want to accommodate my disability.
Right now you might be shaking yourself -- a house builder who actually invites people with disabilities to take part in the design of their home? You bet.
While talking to Howard Sher, executive vice president and Sandra Thompson, accessibility co-ordinator, I asked them all the questions Id stored up since I first met Sandra at the People in Motion Show in Toronto the end of May. Sandra, 39, has used a wheelchair for mobility since she contracted spinal meningitis as a child. Shes a natural at barrier-free design and has made sure that all the sales people at Quality can talk knowledgeably to someone who needs access.Quality's totally barrier free Liberty Series model home is in Kenilworth on Highway 6, 10 minutes north of Arthur. The ones in Grimsby on 9 Windward Dr., north of the QEW, could show me the choices Id have in house plans and the range of choices Id have in house plans and the range of choices Id have in everything from exterior finishes to everything interior from carpets to pot lights and mouldings. There was plenty to keep me interested. Howard explained that the customer benefits from having all decor selections in one place. I recall being asked by my builder to pick out something like 15 different light fixtures... by tomorrow. No need for that here.
My husband and I toured the three model homes and looked at everything. I was impressed. I had no idea when we began that these beautiful houses were made from modules. Up to six homes are built at one time in their plant and delivered anywhere in Ontario south of North Bay and Sudbury.
"We take good design and modularize it," Howard explained. All have raised electrical outlets and lowered light switches, single lock casement windows and wider hallways. You can easily ask for a roll-in shower with multi rain or massage heads, raised toilets, accessible bathroom sinks, a walk-in bathtub, decorator grab bars and in the kitchen, roll under sink, side opening wall oven with pull out shelf underneath, a roll under stove top, a Lazy-Susan that pulls out, multi-tiered countertop to give individuals a variety of working levels and cupboards that automatically go up and down.
Did you know that the height of the toe kick can determine the height of your kitchen drawers? If you have footrests that stick out on your wheelchair, a high toe kick can mean your chair fits under the drawers more easily and the drawers are higher and easier to use.
Rooms are designed to give you enough space to turn around in your wheelchair or scooter. Textured walls can be had for those with vision impairment and interior railings can be added anywhere needed. Tracks for Hoyer lifts to move people who cannot transfer can be installed. Recessed door frames mean easy roll over patio and exterior door lips. Pocket doors can be used anywhere interior walls allow.
And green -- I asked about the green factor and waste with everyone so interested in how things are built and where the leftovers go. "We use as many green products as feasible," Howard said. "We minimize lumber and insulation waste, recycle drywall and use water-based paints. Its more about the process and how you do it so there isn't much waste."
So how does one go about buying one of these homes? First you have to have an idea of where you want to live and then actually buy a lot. You must also have your infrastructure in place such as where your power and water will come from and where your water sewage will go. Then, with sales personnel, you decide on what you want in a house and sign a contract.
House prices range from around $159,000 to $660,000 and up.
"Unfortunately," Sandy said, "the federal Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) offered through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation allows nothing for the homeowner who wants to build a new accessible home. Homes have to be five years old and under $158,000. to qualify."
Howard says that 10 per cent of the people looking to build go by Qualitys plans as they are, 50 per cent go with an existing plan and make changes and 40 per cent end up with a completely customized home.
I applaud Quality Homes for their initiative. Howard says they sort of fell into adapting plans for accessibility by accident - - they didn't realize what they were doing when the public asked for modifications and they obliged. No matter how it came about, its available now, and a step in recognizing our needs. These beautiful homes allow more people with disabilities to enjoy an excellent quality of living and more seniors will be able to age in place.
For more on Quality Homes go to www.qualityhomes.on.ca or call 1-800-265-2648.
linda@lindacrabtree.com
Posted by rollingrains at August 16, 2007 09:37 PM