This document discusses the benefits of VisitAble housing, which features at least one entrance, wider doorways and hallways, and a half bathroom that can be accessed by people with mobility devices on the main level of a home. Stairs pose safety risks and limit accessibility for many older adults and people with disabilities. VisitAble housing standards help ensure homes can be visited and lived in by people of varying abilities. The document encourages assessing current homes for VisitAble features and spreading awareness of the benefits of this minimum accessibility standard.

1. VisitAble Housing
Riding the Wave of Change:
Managing Transitions in Housing Older Adults
Wednesday September 30, 2015

2. We Seem to Love Stairs a Lot!

3. But, Stairs Limit

4.  Staircases are a common area for falls within
the home
 Over 50% of falls by older adults occur in their
own home
 Stairs are the leading cause of serious falls
among community-living elderly,
 Account for about one-third of all fatal falls
 A large portion of older adults are hospitalized
after a fall on stairs or steps in their homes
 Waterloo Region health study shows high health
care costs due to falls including greater
institutionalization
And, Stairs Can Be Unsafe

5. Build housing that is
visit-able:
Three (3) basic
accessibility features
on at least one level of
all homes.
Solution: Stop Building Stairs

6.  Front, side OR back entrance
One No Step Entrance
 Also provide barrier
free path of access to
the entrance

7. Wider Doorways & Hallways

8.  A bathroom that can be accessed
by visitors who use mobility
devices
Half Bath With Turning Radius

9.  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
What VisitAble Housing is/is Not!

10. 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

11.  Visit + Able
 As Mary says: “From
cradle to cane!”
 https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?feature=player_embed
ded&v=S0i2xQ4_rbI
VisitAble Housing is for Life!

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

13.  Use the assessment guide and checklist to assess homes
 Tell us about any housing that you find – we would like to
add it to our local inventory
 Spread the word – VisitAble Housing is good for everyone!
What You Can Do

14. We can all play an essential role in meeting housing needs in our community
For more information about the
K-W VisitAble Housing initiative visit:
www.waterlooregion.org/visitable
Or contact:
Trudy Beaulne or Sydney Atwood
Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo
spckw@waterlooregion.org
519-579-1096 X *3006
Our appreciation to the Canadian Centre on Disabilities Studies, CMHC and K-W Task Force members for
contributing to this presentation and to creating the assessment tools
Thank You