Comments on: Manadatory Visitability for New Homes in Austin?

By: Betty Saenz REALTOR® GRI, SRES®

Betty Saenz REALTOR® GRI, SRES® — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:59:31 +0000

No, I do not think mandatory. Hard and rigid rules cause problems. However, as a REALTOR who has helped the disabled find a home with ADA features- I would like to see a voluntary website to advertise these homes. They are hard to fid. I have 1 for sale now and am looking for a place to place an ad. Can’t find any- Something like ADA accessible Homes in Austin.com or ADA Feature Homes in Austin.com??? I have a great home with ADA features- I want to share it with people who need it.

By: Austin Visitability Outcome | InspiredAustin.com

Austin Visitability Outcome | InspiredAustin.com — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:01:22 +0000

[...] Mandatory Visitability for New Homes in Austin (14 comments) [...]

By: Update to Austin Visitability Ordinance | InspiredAustin.com

Update to Austin Visitability Ordinance | InspiredAustin.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:43:43 +0000

[...] We had a lot of great comments on my last post about the possibility of mandatory visitability features for new homes in Austin. [...]

By: Matt Risinger

Matt Risinger — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:03:31 +0000

Very astute comment Eric. Implementation of this ordinance (if it passes) is not a simple matter.

By: Eric Rauser

Eric Rauser — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:55:50 +0000

The entry issue might sound like a good idea, but in actual practice it will be a big problem.

Slabs need be at least 8″ out of the soil with grade sloping away from the house, and the CIty of Austin Green Building Dept recommends at least 12″. At 1:12 pitch, you’re looking at 12 feet of ramp or more, not including landings. For a post and beam foundation this would be even worse. We have arrived at these rules after years of flooded houses and rotten framing problems. In relation to these problems, visitation seems less important.

By: jack

jack — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:59:05 +0000

What is the problem? I have built numerous homes with provisions for elevators, etc. Break a leg or sprain a knee and evaluate your needs…most homes add to the pain. Aren’t well planned and designed home supposed to be considerate of the human form? Just an idea.

By: Spencer

Spencer — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:30:25 +0000

Once again Austin proves it is the national leader in disability rights. Austin was the first city to have lifts on all of its buses, one of the first to have a visitability ordinance and now it has a great opportunity to be a leader again. The City of Austin staff and political leadership enjoy a great relationship with local disability rights advocates.

This is not for people that currently have disabilities. This will ensure that all of us will be able to age in place and not be forced out of our homes in the event of a major accident.

Imagine getting injured, spending all of your savings on treatment and then having to spend even more on home modifications.

Hopefully all of us will live long enough to need assistance one day.

It’s not about THEM, its about US.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:24:09 +0000

Is this in addition to the Federal Fair Housing Act? As I understand the FHA - a percentage of all new apartments and speculative homes are required to meet the visibility requirements outlined above. How are these new rules different?

for reference… here is the FHA design manual.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2525473/Fair-Housing-Act-Design-Manual-ch1?ga_related_doc=1

By: Joy

Joy — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:13:31 +0000

Let’s just look at this with basic common sense.

I have a friend who was given the charge to defend theatre owners when patrons using wheelchairs sued to get access to seating closer in than the back row. As you know the theatres lost and rightfully so. I am sure there are wheelchairs in alot of theatres every day.

Conversely,I have also been a homeowner for 12 years and not once have encountered the need for the accomodations mentioned in this ordinance, although I am in contact with the disabled nearly ever day.

I can afford to make these modifications in the home I will soon be building in Austin. I just vehemantly resent government giving me design constraints I will likely never need, unless one of my elderly parents move in.
In that case I will be more than happy to do so.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:37:01 +0000

That polling question is a tad leading. Of course, a business journal reader would tend to be against it. Especially when they mention in the polling question that houses might cost more. It would be interesting to see if that 5% against maps up with ABJ’s mobility impaired readership.

I agree that a study on visitability would be interesting. But it won’t change the final question - Will the city take a strong stand to help make itself more accessible. No matter what the cost it’s going to be too much, because the majority doesn’t like footing the bill for the minority.

This is why we don’t have direct democracy. Sometimes hard choices have to be made to benefit small groups over the will of the mob.