Examples
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- Example of zero step entrance incorporated into design – nice looking concrete walkway leads to front door
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- When Visitabiltiy is not incorporated in the original design of the home, problems can arise. For instance, creating access to the home above required a long, expensive and ungainly ramp. If the next buyer does not have a disability, the ramp will probably be removed, leaving once again an inaccessible home.
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- The resident in the segregated disability-designated unit (with the ramp and wheelchair sign) unfortunately cannot visit dozens of neighbors who live in this row of townhouses built with a step up to each porch. Nor can residents in the neighboring units enter or exit their own homes independently if they experience a temporary or permanent disability.
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- Fortunately, every home in this 87-unit development offers a zero-step entrance and ample interior door widths.
Case Studies
Bolingbrook, IL
In June 2003, Bolingbrook IL passed a Visitability ordinance requiring basic access in all new homes. Several years prior to the law, the City had been strongly urging Visitability and many builders had complied. As of June 2007, more than 3,600 Visitable homes had been constructed. Nearly all have basements — as opposed to slab construction — and only a handful required exemption from the zero-step entrance. City officials state that there have been no problems with moisture at the entries, even though many of the homes have weathered four snowy winters.
San Antonio, TX
7,000+ homes have been built under the San Antonio Ordinance as of August 2006
Habitat for Humanity – Atlanta, GA
Several of 45 homes are shown from a 100% Visitable neighborhood built by Habitat for Humanity at Browns Mill Road and Mount Zion in Atlanta, GA. The neighborhood is a good example of affordable access achieved on a variety of terrains: flat lots, steep up-hill and steep down-hill. Variety of design also includes some built on concrete slabs, others on crawl spaces. Since 1990, the Atlanta affiliate of Habitat for Humanity has built virtually all their homes with access — more than 800 as of 2007.
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