Some Common Questions and Resources from our Home Modification Experts

FAQ

An Overview of "Aging in Place"

There are various definitions of aging in place, but it generally refers to the phenomena of older adults remaining in their homes and communities as they age, rather than relocating or moving into an institutional setting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as:

“the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”

Nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, and respecting their aging in place preference is an important way to support them. Aging in place promotes life satisfaction, a positive quality of life, and self-esteem—all of which are needed to remain happy, healthy, and well into old age.

When aging in place is supported, the entire community benefits. Beyond the health and wellness benefits of aging in place for older adults, community members can benefit from the wisdom that older adults can share from their life experiences. Older adults tend to volunteer more than any other age group and supporting them in doing so, and in remaining active in their community, will help people of all ages.

An Overview of the Americans With Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life.

Title I – Employment

Helps people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities.
Applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees. A “reasonable accommodation” is a change that accommodates employees with disabilities so they can do the job without causing the employer “undue hardship” (too much difficulty or expense).
Defines disability, establishes guidelines for the reasonable accommodation process, and addresses medical examinations and inquiries.
Regulated and enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(link is external).

Title II – Public Services: State and Local Government

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by “public entities” such as state and local government agencies. .
Requires public entities to make their programs, services and activities accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Outlines requirements for self-evaluation and planning; making reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination; identifying architectural barriers; and communicating effectively with people with hearing, vision and speech disabilities.
Regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice(link is external).

Title III – Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities

Prohibits places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Public accommodations include privately owned, leased or operated facilities like hotels, restaurants, retail merchants, doctor’s offices, golf courses, private schools, day care centers, health clubs, sports stadiums, movie theaters, and so on.
Sets the minimum standards for accessibility for alterations and new construction of commercial facilities and privately owned public accommodations. It also requires public accommodations to remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense.
Directs businesses to make “reasonable modifications” to their usual ways of doing things when serving people with disabilities.
Requires that businesses take steps necessary to communicate effectively with customers with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities.
Regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice(link is external).

Title IV – Telecommunications

Requires telephone and Internet companies to provide a nationwide system of interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services that allows individuals with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate over the telephone.
Requires closed captioning of federally funded public service announcements.
Regulated by the Federal Communication Commission(link is external).

Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions

Contains a variety of provisions relating to the ADA as a whole, including its relationship to other laws, state immunity, its impact on insurance providers and benefits, prohibition against retaliation and coercion, illegal use of drugs, and attorney’s fees.
Provides a list of certain conditions that are not considered disabilities.

Transportation

Public Transportation offered by a state or local government is covered by Title II of the ADA. Publicly funded transportation includes, but is not limited to, bus and passenger train (rail) service. Rail service includes subways (rapid rail), light rail, commuter rail, and Amtrak.
If transportation is offered by a private company, it is covered by Title III. Privately funded transportation includes, but is not limited to, taxicabs, airport shuttles, intercity bus companies, such as Greyhound, and hotel-provided transportation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration(link is external) releases information, guidance and regulations on transportation and the ADA.

More information about the ADA is available from the ADA National Network

The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels.

ADA National Network publications include:

ADA National Network webcourses include:

ADA Building Blocks(link is external). This course is a free, introductoy webcourse that explores the legal requirements and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The course takes 2-3 hours and includes quizzes and a Post Test. The Southeast ADA Center, a member of the ADA National Network, developed the course.
ADA Employment Course(link is external). This course is a free, self-paced webcourse on the employment requirements in the ADA, including the important changes made to the ADA by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The course takes approximately 2.5 hours and includes real life scenarios, quizzes and a final exam. The New England ADA Center, a member of the ADA National Network, deveoped the course.
Disability Rights Laws Overview(link is external). This course is a free, self-paced webcourse that provides an overview of federal disability rights laws. The course takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours and includes real life scenarios, quizzes and a final exam. The New England ADA Center, a member of the ADA National Network, deveoped the course.

Home Modification Experts

Barrier Free Plus, Inc, is a home modification barrier-free specialist servicing the elderly and those with special needs. Products include modular aluminum and steel ramps, grab bars and railings, safe accessible bathrooms, roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, stair lifts, overhead lifts, and VPLs. We work with case managers, occupational therapists, and individuals to create a safe and functional home environment.

Barrier Free Plus Living

Barrier Free Plus, Inc. Specializes Barrier Free Plus, Inc. is a licensed and insured residential and commercial construction company. Our focus is quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. Our mission is to remove obstacles impeding anyone that is aging in place or physically challenged. Barrier Free Modifications specializes in accessibility design and lifestyle solutions, providing you or your loved one with safe barrier-free design, remodel, and modification options.

New Build Or Remodel

Whether you are building a wheelchair accessible home or planning ahead for aging in place and independent living we can help. Barrier Free Plus, Inc. is a licensed and insured builder who can design and build living spaces that fit your disability.

Universal Design Homes

We can design barrier-free accessible homes, sometimes referred to as Universal Design homes, to meet your specific needs. As a licensed manufactured home builder, we can start from scratch and help you with the architectural design for your disability or can modify an existing floor plan. We provide detailed designs to specification writing, our estimates are clear, concise, and every project we undertake is given the utmost in individual attention.

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Choose A Company With Many Achievements

We have earned numerous achievements on HomeAdvisor and Alignable. Our customer reviews are top-notch across the board.

Regain Your Freedom

At Barrier Free Plus, Inc., we understand how important it is for handicapped persons to be able to get around and perform everyday functions in a safe and comfortable manner. We specialize in the installation of barrier-free structures as well as devices designed to make your life easier. From ramps, environmental control systems, and automated doors, to cabinets, rails, and bathroom fixtures, we are experienced at providing what it takes to create the quality of life that many take for granted.

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