Organizations that Promote Barrier-Free Environments
and/or Offer Information:

 

Adapt
An advocacy organization to keep people with disabilities living in their own homes and communities, rather than nursing homes. Organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.

 

Aging in Place and Universal Design: Making Your Home Accessible, No Matter Your Age or Ability
Publication that covers home design and modification, universal design and visitability, home safety check, general adaptations, interior and exterior adaptations, priorities, and costs.

 

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
National organization for people aged 50 or over offering diverse resources and benefits; the substantial website has a search option to locate articles on numerous topics, including those about home modification.

Click here for their publication "The Do-Able Renewable Home, Making Your Home Fit Your Needs" from a vast collection of publications; AARP also maintains a library.

Click here for their publication, "Home Modifications to Promote Independent Living."

 

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
The AFB offers resources and information pertaining to all aspects of life for persons who are blind or visually impaired. 

 

Center for Universal Design at NC State University
Principles of Universal Design, publications on UD in housing, universal and accessible home plans, home modifications and products and more. 

 

Concrete Change
This organization has launched an international campaign to make virtually all homes visitable (accessible to all) by providing the most essential features; such as accessible entrances, exits, and interior doors. The organization advocates quick, widespread construction around the world.

 

Directory of Centers for Independent Living
Click on your state for the CILs nearest you.

 

DisAbility.gov
Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities: resources, services, and information available throughout the federal government, including information on the fair housing laws and housing resources.

 

Home Modifications for Young Adults with Special Needs
With some thoughtful modifications, it's possible to turn your home into a multigenerational space that provides adult children the opportunity to do more for themselves, while keeping them under the same roof. This website provides suggestions.

Fully Accessible Guide to Smart Home Tech for the Disabled and Elderly
This fully accessible article gives the details on smart tech and uses for indpenedent living.

Homemods
University-based site dedicated to promoting aging in place and indepdent living. Serves as information clearinghouse on home modification. 

 

National Center on Accessibility
NCA is an organization committed to the full participation in parks, recreation and tourism by people with disabilities, technical assistance, courses, information, resources, and maps of accessible trails.

 

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications at U of Southern California
This organization is a clearinghouse of information to help elderly or frail individuals remain living in their own homes as comfortably and as successfully as possible. Among other things, NRCSH equips families and individuals with the knowledge to plan for their housing, health and supportive service needs.

 

RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America)
Promotes health & well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions. Has published standards for wheelchairs and transportation, inclusive fitness, emergency stiar travel devices and more.

Senior-Friendly Remodeling
Many of today's homes were built after WWII using Defense Department data based on 18 year old males. Today's homeowners are not served well by the designs of that era.  This article provides guidance on modifying a home to meet your changing physical needs. 

Transition to Adulthood: Top Home Modifications for Young Adults with Special Needs
This article provides an overview on how to modifiy your home to meet the needs of young adults.

 

Products

Auton Company
Motorized products including Smart Waiters, motorized work surfaces, appliance lifts, and table lifts. 

 

Closet Maid
Modified storage systems, cabinet organization and slide-out baskets.

 

KraftMaid Kitchens
Makers of adaptable counters and cabinets with a universal design approach. 

 

Dwyer Products
Makers of accessible compact kitchen units.

 

Rubbermaid
Complete line of useful, durable housewares.

 

Stanley Hardware
Door hinges (Swing Clear) that allow wider doorway access.

 

Grab Bar Resources

 

Grabbars
ADA approved grab bars in colors, mounting brackets, shower benches, and seats.

 

Mr.GrabBar
Carries a wide variety including commercial, flip-down, multi-purpose and more.

 

Wheelchair, Ramp and Lifts/Elevator Resources

4 Stair Lifts
Carries new, used, reconditioned, curved, vertical platform lifts and pool lifts. 

 

Access to Recreation, Inc.
1(800) 634-4351 telephone
Carries folding, threshold, suitcase, rolling and non-folding ramps.

 

Acorn Stairlifts
Stairlifts for straight, curved, outdoor and narrow stairs.

 

Beyond Barriers
Carries specialized accessibility equipment including ceiling lifts, stair lifts, door openers, walk-in tubs, showers, and ramps. 

 

Bruno Independent Living Aids
Bruno stair lifts, power chairs, scooters, vehicle lifts, stair lifts and Turning Automotive Seating™.

 

Easy Climber
888.553.9931
Sells and installs lifts on any type of stairs. Includes educational material about using stairlifts.

 

Garaventa Accessibility
Inclined platform lifts, vertical lifts, platform lifts, emergency evacuation chairs, home elevators.

 

Silver Cross
Provides information about stair lifts, wheelchair lifts, home elevators and other mobility products. This site offers tables that compare various products to help you make a better decision. 

 

Stair-lift Info Guide
Includes useful info such as a Buyer's Guide, Maintenance tips, installation guides, info on parts, tips for buying on Craigslist, replacing batteries

 

Stiltz Home Elevators or Stiltz Lifts Canada
These elevators are free-standing and require a very small footprint.  It is a quiet lift and has a remote control that can be used for moving packages, luggage, etc. between floors.  A backup battery is standard in case of a power failure. Check out their video and FAQs for answers to your questions.  

 

Home Access Products

Sometimes all that is needed is a door that opens wider or automatically. Here are some products that may open up your rooms for you or allow access to furniture:

Dorma Door Controls, Inc.
Telephone: (800) 523-8463 
Sliding, swinging, folding and revolving door systems that embrace a complete range of functions and finishes.

 

Populas
Telephone: 1(800) 957-2020
Ergonomic furniture made in the USA. Has ADA compliant desks, tables, workstations, approachable vanities, cooktops, sinks and cabinets. Furniture can be motorized, cranked by hand, know adjusted, and tilted.

 

Power Access
Telephone: 1(800) 344-0088
Automatic door-openers.

 

Note: Infinitec Inc. does not endorse or recommend these products and has no liability for the results of their use. Infinitec Inc. has received no consideration of any type for featuring any product on this Web site. The information offered herein is a summary; it is not comprehensive and should be carefully evaluated by consumers with the assistance of qualified professionals. The intention of Infinitec Inc. is to offer consumers a brief overview of various assistive technology devices and their applications