Title
To recognize May 18-22, 2009 as "Visitability Awareness Week" in the city of Columbus.
Body
Whereas, The Ohio Visitability Strategy Workgroup has declared May 18-22, 2009 as "Visitability Awareness Week" and will commemorate the occasion by providing educational materials to disability and housing advocates, legislators, home builders, 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 entrance without a step, known as a zero-step entrance
· Doorways with a minimum net clear width of 32 inches
· An accessible main floor bathroom that is useable by a person in a wheelchair; now, therefore
Be it resolved by the Council of the city of Columbus:
That we do hereby recognize May 18-22, 2009 as "Visitability Awareness Week" and encourage continued education.