[Blind-rollers] hello all -- update

[tribble]

Hi all! I haven't seen much of anything on this list for a while.  Hope 
people are still subscribed!
I am in the midst of a move to a new home in a new state -- a month ago I 
was with my mother looking at our house, which was supposedly built 
"according to code" for handicapped access, but it amazed me how much is 
still inaccessible--the builder didn't even think that I might want access 
to the circuit breakers in the boiler room, or the mailbox out in front, or 
have a large accessible counter in the kitchen.  I shouldn't complain 
really, because he is a friend and put a lot of effort into getting it done 
right, but as I said, some key details are just not right.  Now it is too 
late for the circuit breakers and the other things, well, they'll just have 
to resolve themselves.

It never ceases to amaze me how hard it is for people in general to envision 
what is important for a disabled person.  It would just be a matter of 
simple logic, and a little trial and error trying to sit in a makeshift 
wheelchair to see what the challenges might be -- but this is just not the 
case.  No matter how well meaning a person is, there is always something 
he/she misses. After going on the walkthrough before closing on the house, 
our friend said it had truely been an education to talk to me about what was 
needed versus what is "according to code".  No adaptation is right for all 
disabilities.  The crazy thing was, we had spent over a year talking to him 
and exchanging blueprints and talking, and still he was surprised when the 
walkthrough wasn't right.

Oh well, we are now packing up and getting ready to move to a different 
state.  My email address for anyone who wants to wite to me privately is 
lauraeaves at yahoo.com

I don't know why I'm writing this except that I haven't seen activity on 
list lately and just wanted to commiserate about the access issues.
Does anyone else have any sage advice or relevant experience building a 
house?

Later.
--le