Why Does Accessibility Matter?

Why does accessibility matter?

Accessibility goes beyond adding a ramp to a home so a wheelchair or scooter can maneuver in and out safely or modifying a bathroom’s amenities. Accessibility is more than providing functionality, accessibility is making people feel welcome and safe regardless of their age or level of ability. When we commit ourselves to creating safer and affordable communities, it involves families of all abilities. Most homes in America are not built with aging in place, nor disability in mind. The cost of renovations to make a home accessible versus pre-planning accommodations and alterations are usually substantial. This requires extra electrical outlets for medical devices, wider hallways and doorways to maneuver, even the lowering of cabinets, cupboards or counters so the entire family can utilize their home to the fullest. Doing these things from scratch, or planning from the start, is much more time and cost effective than waiting later down the road to tackle these issues.

Based on information the CDC has collected, Michigan has a 26% disability rate among adults. This means that about one out of every four adults throughout Michigan has a disability. These disabilities range widely with 12% having mobility disabilities, 5% hearing impairments and 3% vision impairments, with some overlap. At any point our lifetimes, we have a 1 in 4 chance of becoming part of the disabled community. This can happen through genetics, an accident, health event, or even over time. There are steps we can take in our day-to-day life to lessen our chances but not eliminate them entirely.

How can we make it easier for all of us in the future? By planning. Not every home has to be built accessibly right off the bat. By taking one step and planning ahead, we can make a quarter of our community feel included rather than tolerated. We can assure that every individual has an opportunity to build a better and brighter future for themselves and their family. When making plans for future homes we should be mindful to keep modifications attractive, affordable, and abundant.

Why does accessibility matter?

Everyone deserves to have a safe and stable home that they can access to the fullest potential. An accessible home is the starting point for a life of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for disabled individuals; something that every American, regardless of ability, can appreciate. When you partner with Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity you support safety, freedom and stability for every hard-working family in our community.

-Baylee Herron, Marketing Coordinator