Title
To recognize April 25-29, 2011 as "Visitability Awareness Week" in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, The Ohio Visitability Strategy Workgroup has declared April 25-29, 2011 as "Visitability Awareness Week" and will commemorate the occasion by providing educational materials to home builders, legislators, and the general public; and
WHEREAS, addressing very basic levels of access by people with disabilities and limited mobility to 1, 2, and 3 family homes has been termed "Visitability"; and
WHEREAS, the accessibility of 1, 2, and 3 family homes are not covered by laws such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 or the Americans with Disabilities Act,; and
WHEREAS, Visitability features in new construction homes will ensure that future neighborhoods are inclusive of everyone; and
WHEREAS, in cases of temporary accident or illness, such access can mean the difference between staying in one's own home to recover and being hospitalized or institutionalized in a nursing home; and
WHEREAS, there are little to no additional costs associated with making new construction homes meet Visitability standards, but substantial money may be saved in medical bills, homeowner's insurance claims, and disability claims if trips and falls are prevented; and
WHEREAS, The Ohio Visitability Strategy Workgroup encourages that new residential buildings be built with specific Visitability features including:
· At least one, zero-step entrance
· Doors with a minimum width of 32 inches
· A main floor bathroom with sufficient space to allow for a wheelchair
· Reinforcement of walls or backing in the main floor bathroom for possible installation of grab bars.
· Operable electrical outlets, lighting controls, electrical switches, and thermostat controls to be in locations reachable by an individual in a wheelchair; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby recognize April 25-29, 2011 as "Visitability Awareness Week" in Columbus and encourage continued education.