The Americans with Disabilities Act outlines broad standards in building design for people with disabilities. Many of these standards are useful for people affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, yet some aspects are impractical.

Whether adding a ramp, remodeling, or building a new home, information about what features are useful and practical is important, especially as adding unnecessary or poorly designed elements add costs to a budget. Choosing the right architect and builder who will employ the features that work best is also an important consideration.

After investing in a remodeling or building project, know the tax implications may help reduce income tax obligations. Finding a knowledgeable tax professional will ensure you don’t miss opportunities for deductions and credits or make errors in filing for expenses not covered.

Home Modification

• Access NSM
  Home accessibility product retailer
• Amramp
  Home accessibility product manufacturer
• Article: Making Your Home Wheelchair Accessible – Advice from Angie’s List
  Outlines modifications to consider and allows you to search for local contractors.
• Article: The Ultimate guide to Home Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities Article
  Covers questions to consider when buying/modifying a home
• Barrier Free Architecturals Inc.
  Home modification equipment retailer
• Basement Guides
  Guides for safety modifications that can be done to ones home in order to make it safer
• Dorma
  Door opening solutions manufacturer
• Frangeli® Consulting & Design
  One of the few companies in the United States that has licensed physical therapists, designers, architects and building professionals all working together on one team
• Home Accessibility Checklist
  Things to consider when making your home accessible
• Pinterest Duchenne Home Modifications
  Pinterest page with ideas for making a home accessible
• Power Access
  Automatic door opener
• Sky Link
  Home automation systems manufacturer
• Yates and Felts
  Builders hardware retailer

Stair Lifts

• Access NSM
  Home accessibility product retailer
• Acorn Stair Lifts
  “At Acorn we have been manufacturing and installing stairlifts for over 20 years. All Acorn Stairlifts are easy to use, easy to maintain, and all feature the very best in design, engineering, and safety.”
• Amramp
  Medical equipment manufacturer
• Bruno
  Bruno Independent Living Aids is a global manufacturer of accessibility products.
• Butler Mobility
  Stair and platform lift manufacturer
• Easy Climber
  Stair lift manufacturer
• EZ-Access
  Home modification equipment manufacturer
• Harmar
  Stair, platform and vehicle lift manufacturer
• InnovativeLifts
  Stairlift, platform lift, and elevator services
• Mobility Lifter
  Wheelchair stairclimber retailer
• Stiltz
  Home lift company

Home Modification Financing

• Article: Funding an Accessible Home
  Article from Wonderbaby.org about funding an accessible home modification project
• Disability Accommodations Cost Guide
  Article from Home Advisor providing cost ranges for various projects to improve accessibility. Links to regional disability service providers with reviews.
• Fannie Mae
  Modification loans
• Grants for Home Modification: 16 Resources for Homeowners with Disabilities Article
  List of grants that can help shoulder the cost of home modification
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 502 Cat. No. 15002Q Medical and Dental Expenses
  IRS publication for deductions related to medical deductions including medically necessary home improvements
• National Council of State Housing Agencies HFA Directory
  Housing Finance Agencies (HFA) offer individuals and families several different types of support. Their website provides a tool for locating available offices and organizations in your state that may be able to provide you with the assistance you seek.
• Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps
  Rebuilding Together’s affiliate network completes nearly 10,000 projects per year. Our affiliates across the county serve the needs of low-income homeowners and work to revitalize communities.
• The Self-Sufficiency GrantThis grant from ModestNeeds.org seeks to offer support to individuals and families who need assistance, but don’t qualify as being “low-income” households. Their goal is to help ensure that families living just above the poverty line don’t have to spend their last dollar on necessities like adaptable home repairs.
• Quest Article on Remodeling
  Article on home remodeling, however, this article covers more than Duchenne and should be read with that in mind

Home Safety

• American Red Cross Article
  Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
• Emergency Readiness for People with Disabilities
  Resource from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on disaster readiness
• Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities
  Outline from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on disaster readiness
• Ready.gov Disaster Readiness
  Emergency preparedness resource from the Department of Homeland Security

Housing Rights

• Article on Disabled Renter’s Housing Rights
  Explains the legal rights of disabled renters
• U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development article on Disability Rights in Housing
  Covers laws to protect persons with disability in public/private housing

Looking for state-specific resources? Check out our state-specific page

What resources would you like to add or update?
Email your suggestions to resources@parentprojectmd.org!

 
While Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) strives to make the information on this website as timely and accurate as possible, PPMD makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site. Reference in this site does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by PPMD. Click here to review PPMD’s policy on corporate support.