One of the many overlooked aspects of marketing in real estate is helping those who are disabled or have physical challenges with finding or modifying a residence in order to accommodate.
Typically, we do not do guest posts, but Harry Cline at NewCareGiver.org provides a great case to do so with the below article.
Thanks again to Harry Cline for this valuable info:
If you are in the process of making modifications to a house to help a person with a visual impairment feel at home, you have a great deal to consider. Your top priority should be to make the home as organized and functional as possible. People are much more comfortable in spaces that are free of clutter and organized in a logical way. You also should consider the person’s needs and routines. When you make modifications with the person in mind, you’re sure to create a comfortable space that helps him feel right at home.
1. Get Organized by Eliminating Clutter
While you may have an organization system that makes sense to you, your organization system should be logical enough that it makes sense to others. For instance, if you throw everything from chewing gum and masking tape to knife sharpeners and scissors into a junk drawer, you probably will be the only person in the home who can locate a specific item in that drawer in under 30 minutes. Organized chaos may work for you, but it will not work for a person with a visual impairment.
That’s why one of the first things you should do to help a person with a visual impairment feel at home is to get organized by eliminating clutter. Clutter makes it difficult to navigate the home, and it makes it virtually impossible for someone with a visual impairment to find anything. Go room by room and make sure that there is a place for everything. If there isn’t, decide which items you want to keep, which you want to donate, and which you want to discard. Don’t forget to remove clutter from drawers, closets, cabinets, cupboards, and pantries, too.
2. Address Repairs and Clean Up
Safety is a top priority, so you’ll want to tackle any repairs that if left alone could be hazardous. For example, loose handrails, broken windows, hard-to-navigate corners and broken steps could prove risky for a visually-impaired person. Tackle what you can yourself, and outsource any other repairs to professionals.
Now is also a good time for a top-to-bottom clean. Get into the nooks and crannies, dust, clean counters as well as appliances, and make sure the bathroom has been given a thorough once-over. This is also a good time to address any deeper cleaning needs such as carpeting, curtains, upholstery and even air ducts.
3. Make It Easier to Cook
People with a visual impairment prefer to be independent, so it’s a good idea to make a few modifications to your kitchen to make cooking a little easier. There are several kitchen gadgets and tools available to assist cooks with low vision. One helpful gadget is a thermometer that reads temperatures aloud. It’s also a good idea to purchase some extended oven mitts to protect the forearms from accidental burns, a liquid indicator to avoid spills, and measuring cups and spoons with large print. Consider adding a task light to kitchen work areas, especially where people cut food, to make sure there is as much light as possible.
Another helpful tool is the PenFriend 3. When you start organizing your kitchen, you may be surprised when you find just how many food items are of similar size and shape. It becomes difficult for a person with a visual impairment to distinguish these similar items, but the PenFriend 3 solves the problem with its audio labels. Label everything from pasta to canned beans in the pantry.
With a few simple home modifications, you can help a person with a visual impairment feel right at home. Begin by eliminating clutter and getting organized, hiring a housekeeper, and making it easier to cook.
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