In the pursuit of happiness and quality of life, Americans with disabilities must receive their fair share of support. One of the ways to do this is by enabling differently abled Americans to live in homes that are safe and easy to maneuver through.
Here is what you need to know about building these lovely and comfortable homes.
How to afford home modification
In 1990, the United States government enacted into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the goal of leveling the playing field for all Americans with or without disabilities. Within the spirit of this Act, those with disabilities can deduct from their taxes the costs of modifying their homes.
Particularly if these modifications do not increase the value of the unit, the homeowner may be eligible for full expense deduction. If this is not enough, grants are available to qualified, usually low income, applicants.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for example, offers loans and grants to Americans who need to modify their abodes to eliminate hazards and make homes more livable.
The same is true for the United States Department for Veteran Affairs. Ready to lend a hand, non-government organizations like the American Red Cross and ModestNeeds.org, also have a couple of self-sufficiency grants worth applying for.
What home modifications to invest in
Once you have your funding, the next big question is what to invest in first. The changes that make your living space more comfortable obviously depend on the nature of your disability. The most common alterations (which are tax deductible) include:
- Widening of doorways
- Handicap bathtubs
- Ramps
- Support and Grab Bars
- Stairs
- Lifts
- Secondary Bathrooms particularly on the first floor
By empowering Americans with disabilities to become more self-sufficient, the government, with the help of the community as a whole, is giving to the handicapped opportunities to become productive again, unleashing gifts and talents that disability did not take away.