THE CODE CONNECTION

Once in a while someone comes up with an idea that's too cool not to share.  This week it's VISITABILITY.  I often get questions and comments from citizens about the housing needs of the elderly or disabled.  Usually its a plea for more senior housing.  The implied message of course is that seniors are having trouble getting around in their own homes.  I'm not referring to the typical needs of those needing assisted living or nursing care.  Its folks like your grandparents that have trouble navigating stairs, use a walker, a cane or even a wheelchair but otherwise are healthy individuals.  Enter Eleanor Smith, founder of Concrete Change.

Some simple changes to existing or new homes can solve these problems and extend the time that we live in the homes and neighborhoods we love.  Check out the press release below and go to their web site www.concretechange.org.

Bolingbrook, IL named "most visitable city in U.S."

August 9, 2004 -- Bolingbrook, Illinois has been named the "most visitable city in the U.S." by the Atlanta-based group Concrete Change. The Illinois town, 24 miles south of Chicago, is building all of its new homes -- that's right, all of them-- so that people can visit friends and neighbors, even if they have difficulty walking. They can also "age in place" -- remain in these homes long after traditional housing has become a barrier to them.

Since 1999, Bolingbrook's home builders have been following the principles of "visitability." Today in Bolingbrook, every new house constructed has:

*-- at least one entrance with no step ( "zero-step") and a 36-inch clearance through the door

*-- interior doorways with clearances at least 32 inches wide

*-- hallways at least 42 inches wide

*-- blocking in bathroom walls to support grab bars as needed

*-- one bathroom on the main floor big enough for a person in a wheelchair to use

*-- wall switches and outlets reachable by a wheelchair user.

These six simple features have been built into all of Bolingbrook's new housing stock by law since 2003 -- resulting in 3,000 visitable homes and earning the community Concrete Change's designation as "most visitable city in the U.S."

In 1999, Bolingbrook builders began incorporating visitability features into their new homes, thanks to the leadership of the town's forward-thinking mayor, Roger C. Claar, who embraced the concept of "visitability" presented to him by a local citizen, Edward Bannister, who has long been active in local and statewide civic affairs. Bannister became aware of visitability in 1997, sent for the Concrete Change video, "Building Better Neighborhoods," to use in his education campaign, and approached politicians to propose the adoption of "visitability" in his community. Claar understood the need, the concept, and the benefit to people living in Bolingbrook.

Bolingbrook today has the first directive in effect in the U.S. specifying a zero-step entrance and 32-inch clearance through interior passage doors in every new single-family detached dwelling and town house in a city or town.

"Bolingbrook is onto something important, and I think others will follow," says Concrete Change founder Eleanor Smith. "A house lasts for decades, as part of the fabric of the present community and the communities to come. 'Visitability' means connection to others," she adds, explaining that a community whose homes ALL incorporate basic access features means that no one is shut out.

Homes that do not have basic access features "force severe choices," says Smith. Older people are forced out of their communities. Families face expensive renovation when a member becomes disabled -- if the home is even amenable to renovation. People who become disabled can "become virtual prisoners in unsafe, unhealthy houses."

Concrete Change (online at www.concretechange.org) pioneered the concept of visitability in the U.S. and has promoted its adoption throughout the country. While a number of communities -- Pima County, Ariz., Urbana, Ill., San Antonio and Atlanta -- have adopted ordinances calling for visitability, Bolingbrook was the first to voluntarily adopt the program prior to a local ordinance. Bolingbrook's ordinance, which went into effect last year, is the most far-reaching visitability program in the U.S.

"Visitability just makes sense," says Smith. "It's handy for everybody, crucial for some." But good access, she says, "sends a silent, profound message to the whole population: 'I need not be quite as afraid of becoming disabled because I will still be part of the community.'"

Visit the Concrete Change website at www.concretechange.org to learn more about visitability.