Once again HGTV has built a house without any consideration for those who are physically disabled. We live in houses also and spend money on the products you advertise. Does every house you build need to be two or more stories with many stairs. I am sure it is possible to build a one story green or dream home. Since you are building from scratch it is easy to incorporate disabled friendly features while still maintaining a house useable by everyone. I will continue to enter your contest with the understanding that if I was ever lucky enough to win that I would either have to sell the property or do extensive changes to make the home useable. By the way I am a quadraplegic who has to use a wheelchair. Please keep this in mind for your next project. We are consumers too.
Welcome to the MB, appmos. All the best to you. The issue more often than not is one of gaining sponsors who will provide the elevator and support equipment for wheelchair persons. I think you wrote a good post, and hope HGTV takes a good look, and can attract sponsorships. Two story structures are becoming essential for providing a small footprint on very expensive land, land, most of which in the case of the Dream Home, for example, has been higher priced than the dwelling itself. Sonoma's location will no doubt, be more so.
Posts: 1937 | Location: FL | Registered: Jan 08, 2003
I can relate to your frustrations for the disabled. While this house does have obstacles, at least most of the living areas are on the first floor. If I were to win I would bring my mom, who had a stroke and need to use a walker to get around. I would give her the Master, but I would have to make several changes/additions, especially in the bathroom and entry ways. I feel like this is the best of the HGTV homes for the disabled, but as you say, far from truly accessible. This home is way better than the one my mom and I are renting now--so much more room for her to get around, and access to outside spaces. I would make it work for us! I was thinking that HGTV could come back (after I won) and do a special on making homes more accessible for those with disabilities! I can always dream.
Most residential property developers like to chop up their single family home subdivisions into smaller lots that only allow multi-story homes to fit and still have enough interior square footage inside for the market.
Posts: 164 | Location: around the bend | Registered: Sep 18, 2007
Originally posted by appmos: Once again HGTV has built a house without any consideration for those who are physically disabled. We live in houses also and spend money on the products you advertise. Does every house you build need to be two or more stories with many stairs. I am sure it is possible to build a one story green or dream home. Since you are building from scratch it is easy to incorporate disabled friendly features while still maintaining a house useable by everyone. I will continue to enter your contest with the understanding that if I was ever lucky enough to win that I would either have to sell the property or do extensive changes to make the home useable. By the way I am a quadraplegic who has to use a wheelchair. Please keep this in mind for your next project. We are consumers too.
iada, I understand your wish for a more accessible home but at least this Green Home has the Master Bedroom on the first floor and there are few steps to enter the home.
Since you would be GIVEN the home, perhaps it would behoove you or your family to expect the need to build ramps etc. to the main areas for your convenience... if you as a person with a disability would be able to afford to keep the Green Home..I would not be able to... then ramps could not be THAT much to invest..right?
Wouldn't it be MORE of an inconvenience for someone NOT disabled to win and have to remove a bunch of ramps and lifts to enjoy the home?
Posts: 26 | Location: Port Angeles, WA on the Juan de Fuca Straits | Registered: Feb 19, 2008
Wouldn't it be MORE of an inconvenience for someone NOT disabled to win and have to remove a bunch of ramps and lifts to enjoy the home?
A universal design could have a sloped approach that would be welcoming to wheelchairs and walking people.
Similarly, universal design that allows a wheelchair to glide into a shower space would also allow others to walk right in and enjoy the spaciousness. Those showers have a slope in the floor to ensure the water drains down, and not into the bathroom.
I think as the baby boomers age, we will see more universal design, and I think future generations will be surprised that we didn't always build sensibly to accomodate all.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lindi,
~♥~♪~♥~ "We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams."
Posts: 3723 | Location: Northern California | Registered: Aug 17, 2004
Green Home Project Certification includes the rather loud word, "Profitable." I think that means, without reference to initial capital outlay. But if it doesn't, the significant costs' addition of disability items don't add to the long term profit, even though, for your sake it is a "small price to pay for your comfort and efficiency." It's an intangible. If this GH were Publicly used, the shoe would be on the other foot. It's a worthy subject. I liked the comments already posted.
Posts: 1937 | Location: FL | Registered: Jan 08, 2003
You know what your right and to think I never even thought about that....maybe they didnt either. Just because you win the home though doesnt mean that you have to keep it. you could easily afford to buy a single family home with a ramp etc...if you were to sell it. Just thought that I would throw that out there. Well it looks as if the contest is almost over and man I just started getting into this message board....Its kind of addicting! lol Well GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE and if you win dont forget to thank them for such a great blessing and such hard work!
Posts: 10 | Location: Southgate, MI | Registered: May 02, 2008
Wasn't there a DH home winner who was disabled. I seem to remember watching the video this past winter and hearing them say they would build ramps and such for him. Not that the house itself isn't an awesome gift, doing that would be so above and beyond!
Even a fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying.
Posts: 406 | Location: Bernallino/Albuquerque | Registered: Mar 11, 2008
We are a family with disabled children and love the dream homes and green homes.I do not think hgtv should change its universal designs.HGTV has always stated keeping the homes are not the dreams selling is and using that money to get your own dream are.These are model homes built for inspiration.I personally have been very inspired by all of them and amm happy to see a green home giveaway.While many can afford to keep these homes I dont anyone who would want to.......If your going to build your own dream home or green home or vacation getaway why not have every inch custom designed for you including your dream location.Just a thought.
Posts: 206 | Location: Fresno,California | Registered: Jan 09, 2008
That's actually my favourite part about this home, persimmonmama - the gift of education and awareness they have given viewers about green living. Some knew a lot, some a little, some none at all. I think we all came away with more knowledge or ideas then we had before though.
Even a fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying.
Posts: 406 | Location: Bernallino/Albuquerque | Registered: Mar 11, 2008
