Afternoon workshop presentation slides and discussion questions, March 23rd 2016.

1. From Concept to Reality
Knowledge into Action Workshop
Afternoon Session March 23, 2016

2. Workshop: Knowledge Into Action
 Recap of VisitAble Housing
 Recap of morning panelists points
 Provide time for stakeholder discussions,
reporting back and cross-stakeholder group
reflection

3. Workshop Objective
 Inspire commitment and creative solutions
within and between stakeholder groups.

4. Recap: What is VisitAble Housing?
Three basic features to make a home accessible to
anyone:
• One no-step entrance on the main, visit-able
level, exterior threshold not over 13mm (1/2 in.) in
height
• Wider doorways (36 in.) and hallways (43.25 in.)
on the main, visit-able level
• Minimum half bath with turning radius to allow
mobility devices such as a walker or wheelchair
(1500 mm/5ft radius)

5. What VisitAble Housing Is/Is Not!
 VisitAble Housing is the minimum standard
for accessibility
 Ensures a home can be visited by friends and
family members who have mobility
limitations
 Does not define all possible accessibility
features

6. The Accessible Design Spectrum
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
VisitAble Housing Adaptable Housing Accessible Housing
Total#ofFeatures
Level of Accessibility
Minimum Standard:
Basic features to
make main level
accessible.
Additional
features to make
is easier to
renovate if
needed.
Specific accessibility
features in all areas of a
home – inside and out

7. Who Benefits?
Aging in place
Disabilities – permanent or temporary
People with disabilities can visit their
friends/family
Generally helpful to anyone– moving,
baby strollers, groceries, etc.

8. Societal Benefits
 Social inclusion
 Human rights
 Aging population
 High cost of care – health and housing
 Building basic accessibility features less costly than
renovations

9. Recap of Morning Presentations
 There is an international movement to adopt VisitAble housing
as a basic standard for accessible housing – housing has been
built in Canada
 Testimonials and population data show a need for inclusive
housing and aging in place – this housing is needed now
 Local realtors are getting informed and incorporated consistent
terminology including VisitAble Housing into their MLS listings
 Local builders are interested and some have started to develop
projects
 Local governments are interested, there are many policy areas to
pay closer attention to and opportunities for incentives and
technical guidelines to support builders

10. Stakeholder Group Discussions
 Each group is stakeholder group or combined stakeholder
groups that already work together to some extent – each
will have a facilitator assigned
 Stakeholder group tasks:
 Introductions: Name and why are you interested in visit-able
housing as a basic standard for accessibility
 Discuss the questions
 Each keep a record your responses on the worksheets
 Create a group summary
 Select someone to report back on the group summary

11. Discussion Questions
 As a member of your stakeholder group, what can
you do as an individual or as part of your
organization to ensure visit-able housing is built in
your local community?
 What would help you to be more successful?
 What would you need from other stakeholders or
stakeholder groups?

12. Reporting Back
 What do stakeholder groups identify as
actions, what would help them succeed and
what they need from other stakeholder groups
 Large group discussion - what can we learn
from what we heard from other stakeholder
groups?
 Next steps for participants – what action will be
taken?

13. Wrap Up
 Additional thoughts and reflection
 After today – posting of presentations and
action discussions
 Evaluation
 Appreciation

14. Appreciation
 City of Waterloo for facilities and staff support
 Canadian Centre on Disability Studies, Winnipeg for project leadership, staff
support and funding for this forum
 Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for funding to support this forum and
staff support
 K-W Association of Realtors for printing the guide for real estate professionals
 Local Task Force Members for sharing their knowledge and passion for inclusive
housing
 Social Development Centre Waterloo Region for support and guidance through this
complex social planning process
 Participants for your serious consideration and contributions to this important issue

15. Thank You
For more information about the local VisitAble Housing work:
Trudy Beaulne, Executive Director, Social Development Centre Waterloo
Region
Email: trudy@waterlooregion.org
Phone: 519-579-1096 X *3006
www.waterlooregion.org/visitable