Ask the leasing agent about accessibility and/or modifications
Don't be afraid to ask questions about the apartment community; that's what the leasing agent or property manager is there for. Ask about the facility's spaces, daily operations, safety practices, plans for the future and anything else that might affect your experience there. Here are some suggestions:
- What types of accessible apartments are available?
- Are there renovations planned that would make the building more or less accessible?
- What year was this apartment community built?
- Are animals allowed? (This is applicable if you have a service animal.)
- Who handles maintenance, and how quickly can you expect it to be done?
- Will maintenance personnel place a priority on modifications or repairs designed to assist with my disability?
- Do you know about my right to make reasonable modifications to my space?
- If I need to make modifications, do you require an additional deposit to cover the cost of returning my unit to its original condition when I move out?
- What is the best way to communicate with you?
Check the apartment community's amenities and common areas
Be sure to notice the public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, when you arrive for the tour. If a fitness center is important to you for physical therapy, check the hours, equipment and visitor policies. Take note of features or ask your tour guide these questions as you move through the different areas:
- Do you enter the building through automated doors?
- Are there any wheelchair ramps, and if so, where are they located?
- Does the building have at least one accessible elevator wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair?
- Is there an accessible laundry room — or an option to have laundry appliances inside the apartment?
- How wide are entryways and hallways in public areas?
- What is the lighting like in both the indoor and outdoor common spaces?
- Are there specially designated handicapped parking spaces?
When asking about parking, be specific. Are spaces wide enough to allow easy entry and exit from your vehicle? Are they close enough to the building for quick access? And are there sidewalk ramps leading from the parking lot?
It's also important to be sure you can have constant access to these spaces. General handicap parking spaces may not be available at a given time if anyone — tenants or guests — can use them. Find out if you can get a dedicated handicap space. If so, make sure it's suitable for your needs.
View the apartment with an eye for disability-friendly features
When you're able to tour the apartment you'd had in mind (or one very much like it), bring a tape measure and your checklist of essential accessibility features. Go down the list as you move through the living space and see how many of your preferred features the place offers.
It's important to keep in mind that apartments tend to be more compact than homes, so there may be issues in navigating the floorplan. Corridors should be wide enough, both in the “straightaway" sections and around corners, for you to turn or pass without difficulty if you are using a wheelchair or handrails.
You may not have to deal with a kitchen island, but if you do, make sure you can maneuver around it easily and also reach its entire counter surface.
You may want to note the answers to these questions as you go along:
- Do you open the apartment doors with lever handles or round knobs?
- Is flooring level, smooth and easy enough to walk or roll across?
- Are the apartment doors at least 32 inches wide? (This is where the tape measure comes in handy.)
- Are there rocker-style light switches, digital thermostats, electrical outlets or other household controls placed within reach of wheelchair height?
- What height are the kitchen and bathroom counters in the apartment?
- Can you easily reach sinks and faucets?
- Are the faucet controls easy to manipulate?
- Are the bathtub and shower big enough to be accessible to anyone?
- Do the tub, shower and toilets have grab bars? (If not, discuss installation options.)
- If the apartment is furnished, are the furnishings suitable for your needs?
- Is lighting sufficient to see clearly in all interior locations?
- Are smoke detectors accessible?
The above information is from Christy Clawson from wondermoms.org sent to me on Sat 12/06/2021