3. Narrow search results with filters
Filtering screens look different, depending on the site you're on. But once you've got the basics in place, look for ways to filter your results. You can start with terms like “disability access," then get more specific.
Use more filtering options to find your preferred amenities. Each filter will reduce the number of results and offer you a clearer picture of what's available for your criteria. Below, several elements of a filter results page are highlighted.
Filtering options can include features such as hardwood floors, front-loading washer and dryer in the apartment, etc. If you have a service animal, it should be allowed in any public or commercial building — but life may be easier for you and your companion animal in a building that already allows pets and has amenities like dog waste stations and fenced runs.
If public transit is important or you'd like to be in a certain neighborhood, you might use a location tool to narrow the range to a more specific location.
4. Use listing page options to focus your search
In addition to search filters, real estate listing sites offer many other ways to access information about properties, such as highlights, amenities listings, descriptions, photos, floorplans and virtual tours. Each of these can be useful to learn about different amenities and accessibility features that might be available.
Read the property's description
The property description is meant to give you a feel for what you could expect while living there, both in terms of amenities on-site and in the surrounding area. These are highlighted in the example below.
Read the description thoroughly, watching for mentions of designated parking spaces, access to public transportation and proximity to local businesses. You can also find information on alarm systems in apartments for contacting emergency services and other disability-friendly features.
Look at photos, videos and virtual tours
You can learn a lot from photos of an apartment, and even more from videos or virtual tours that are available for many properties. Spend some time looking through these options to see if you can spot accessibility features like:
- Ramps and accessible walkways with handrails
- Adequate lighting for both indoor and outdoor spaces
- Low-rise flooring with low thresholds to minimize obstacles or tripping hazards
- Grab bars in bathrooms
- Doors and hallways wide enough to allow easy access for a wheelchair
Not every apartment community offers a virtual tour or video tour as depicted below. But nearly every facility provides photos to give you an idea of what an apartment looks like.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Many aspects of the living space that aren't listed in the description or amenities can become apparent in the photos, videos and virtual tour options.
The above information is from Christy Clawson from wondermoms.org sent to me on Sat 12/06/2021