"Visitability" -- A Conversation with Jordana Maisel
Betsey Krumholz, General Manager of the Planning Commissioners Journal, interviews Jordana Maisel about her article, "Visitability": A Major "No-Step" Towards Inclusive Housing, published in the Spring 2007 isssue of the Journal. Ms. Maisel is the Director of Outreach and Policy Studies at the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA), located at the University at Buffalo.
In her article, Maisel notes that: "While the lack of affordable housing often attracts attention, much less notice is taken of the shortage of accessible housing. Homes that empower the elderly and people with disabilities are all too uncommon, particularly in the single-family housing market. Many homes are still being built with steps at all entrances and hallways, and doorways that are too narrow for wheelchair users." But, she adds, "visitability has emerged as an innovative solution to the shortage of accessible housing."
"A visitable home is any new single-family dwelling unit, duplex, triplex, or townhouse that is intentionally built with at least the following three features:
- One zero-step entrance on an accessible route;
- Doorways that provide at least 32 inches of clearance and wider hallways; and
- Basic access to at least a half bath on the main floor."
The interview focuses on the benefits of providing housing that is more easily accessible to individuals with disabilitie, seniors, and others -- and on advocacy strategies to promote "visitable" housing.
- to listen to the conversation [press blue arrow to play; click link to download]
- access this conversation on our podcast page
-- 12 minutes in length
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