Home Access Program Blog

Are you disabled and seeking employment? Being a job seeker is hard enough, but if you have a disability it can be even more difficult and frustrating. Employers sometimes refuse to hire people with disabilities which angers the job seeker and often discourages them from continuing their job search. This is why it is very important to provide your future employer with a reason why you should be hired instead of someone else. Here is some information that will assist you in your employment search.

How to Search For a Job If You Have a Disability:

1. Determine your unique abilities. What tasks can you accomplish based on your skills? You need to explain the following: what are your talents, why you are the best candidate based on your knowledge, what your past experiences are and why your disability will not get in the way of this.

2. When completing the employment application, indicate your disability only if it asks the question. If you enter the interview without disclosing your disability, inform your future employer about your impairments before you begin your employment. When discussing your unique situation, indicate the necessary accommodations to be made, if needed.

3. When conducting your job search, look for the 'Positive about disabled people' icon on job advertisements.

4. Locate a government agency, such as the Jobcentre that will assist people with disabilities. Often, a state employment office or vocational rehabilitation center can help with job hunting, placement and advise with your job search.

Posted by Denise under Advice & General | 1 Comment »

Today I am going to be writing about a controversial subject that affects every woman. This is a very touchy subject and if I offend anyone I apologize in advance.

Each year there are millions of women in the world who choose to end their pregnancy with abortion. On November 29, 2007 Baroness Masham of Ilton, Great Britain introduced an amendment in Parliament making it illegal for women to have an abortion if the fetus is found to be disabled. Currently, it is legal for women to undergo an abortion if during testing it is discovered the fetus will be disabled. Baroness Marsham claims it is wrong to kill an unborn disabled fetus if they can endure medical treatments for their illness.

Many people believe it is immortal to have an abortion if you discover your child has a disability. Women are devastated when they loose their child, whether they experience an abortion or a miscarriage. When women have an abortion, it becomes very emotional for them because pregnancies are usually planned and often it is the only child a woman will conceive after many months or years of trying to conceive. It is difficult for a woman to move forward with her life after having to abort her unborn child because the woman felt the fetus move, visualized what the infant would look like through an ultrasound, and in some cases had selected a name for the baby based on sex.

Learning there is a possibility that the fetus could be disabled, women want to terminate the existence of their own child, not wanting to keep their baby because it is not considered “healthy or perfect”. When we discover that we have conceived, women plan their future knowing they will have a perfect baby girl or boy. Aborting a fetus is considered helping the child because they are “better off dead” than living in a world where they will be subject to stereotypes because of their disability.

Personally I do not believe in abortions unless it is medically necessary, such as the child will only have a short amount of time to live or if the woman was raped. I would rather give the baby the opportunity to live whatever time they have on this earth, than not know the child, watching them grow and learn. Children should be given the opportunity to live their lifespan, whether that is 5 months, 5 years, or 50+ years.

Would you rather live your life and know your own child for five years, or would you rather live your life, without knowing them? Knowing your baby is disabled should not affect your decision to keep the fetus. What are your thoughts? Do you think it is moral to terminate a pregnancy if you are told your child will be disabled?

Denise Naspinski

* The opinions expressed in the above entry are those of the individual and are not necessarily shared by the Home Access Program or its Sponsor.

Posted by Denise under General | 2 Comments »

Are you in the market to purchase a home? Buying an accessible home can be not only stressful but terrifying if you don’t know what to look for when purchasing your new home. Since purchasing a home is such an overwhelming experience, many people seek the assistance of a licensed REALTOR®

to help them find their home. While working with your Real Estate Agent, you will need to determine what level of accessibility you require for your new home. Just because a property is listed as an accessible home, it doesn’t mean that it will meet your needs. After evaluating the house, you can then decide if it meets your accessibility needs.

While you are evaluating a dwelling, there are many factors you need to consider. You will need to evaluate each home separately to see if they meet your accessibility needs.

Here are some questions to ask your REALTOR® when purchasing an accessible home. Use these questions as a guide in deciding if a residence will fit your needs. They are also helpful in deciding what type of modifications are needed before you move.

1. Where is the home located? You will want to consider if it is located in a safe area, and if it is going to be convenient for you. After evaluating the home for accessibility, you should ask yourself if you are going to be comfortable living in the home.

2. Are there stairs at all the entrances? How many? Will you be able to get through the front/back door? Can you enter the home safely? Can you enter the home by yourself or will you need assistance getting through the entrances? Can you reach the lock and the door handles? What kind of locks does the home have? If you use a wheelchair, is there a ramp at the front entrance? Do you have acceptable lighting at the front and back entrances? Do you have access to the peep hole on your door?

3. In the rooms of the home, do you have access to the light switches, blinds, and windows? Is the flooring adequate? Can you operate the thermostat, smoke detectors and security alarms? Are the hallways wide enough? If you have a wheelchair, do you have room to turn around in the hallway?

4. Are the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms accessible? Will they require modifications such as grab bars? Are the sinks and counters lowered?

5. Will you have difficulty moving from your vehicle to inside the home such as uneven pavement, stairs, or an alley?

If you have any comments or resources relating to Questions to Ask When Purchasing an Accessible Home, please submit them.

Thanks and Have a Happy Holiday Season!

Denise Naspinski

Posted by Denise under Advice & General | No Comments »

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that our latest issue of the Home Access Program newsletter, The Chronicle, is now available. Click here to read about this month’s news, events, products and member bio.

Home Access Program November Newsletter

Posted by Andon under News | No Comments »

It is unfortunate but many of us will experience at least a temporary disability in our lifetimes. Accidents can happen at anytime; you could find yourself using crutches, a walker or even a wheelchair. As we get older you notice that getting around the home becomes increasingly difficult. You might find yourself saying “How am I going to get up those steps or through the narrow door?” This is one of the reasons we started this blog, so we could all voice our opinions, concerns, and ideas to help each other with situations we might not necessarily prefer to be in but, we have to take what we were given and make the most of it. I encourage you to respond with whatever is on your mind.

I have personally noticed while working with the Home Access Program how difficult it is trying to find homes for people with accessibility needs. It can be very frustrating at times, and I find myself asking, why have home builders never really considered the needs of those who are disabled and elderly. It can make life really hard to deal with at times!

Have you ever contemplated moving because of a disability? I know I would rather stay at home than go to an assisted living or a nursing home. Believe it or not, there are many companies out there that focus on remodeling your home with a few minor modifications rather than packing up and moving. Here is a list of a few modifications I came up with that might aid you in your quest for accessible housing.

Accessible Home Modifications:

Each year that passes there is a greater demand for wheelchair accessible homes. Accessible housing allows for a more independent living and gives us the ability to care for ourselves and remain active. A few simple modifications to your home such as swing away hinges, can improve your lifestyle and the ability to live at home.
Continue Reading »

Posted by Kit under General | 3 Comments »

Welcome to the Home Access Program Blog, my name is Kit Houser, and will be writing every week for the blog. We will be discussing many different issues from entry to entry. Please feel free to participate in the blog. Share your ideas, concerns, or anything on your mind pertaining to accessibility.

Topics we will be discussing are:

ADA

Rights and Laws
• Rights under Americans with Disability Act
• What are rights under family and medical leave?
• What are rights of pregnant employees?
• What are rights under workers compensation?
• What are rights of a safe work environment?
• What are rights to a stress free workplace?
• What are rights to PTO and sick day?

Lawsuits
• Social Security Disability Claims
• Accessibility Lawsuits
• Disability Harassment

Continue Reading »

Posted by Kit under General | No Comments »