I have a disability and need to adapt my home to fit my needs. What resources and information are available so that I can modify my home?

Whether you are a person with a disability who has purchased a new home or a homeowner who has acquired or aged into a disability, there are a variety of resources that can assist you in modifying your home to fit your needs.

Finding Remodeling Professionals/Aging-In-Place Programs

• The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) helps homeowners find remodeling professionals and provides consumers with resources, including information on universal design.
   
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provides information and resources on finding a professional remodeler and finding a credentialed building professional.
   
• Homemods.org is a website provided by the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and is dedicated to promoting independent living and aging in place for people of all ages and all abilities. It serves as an information clearing house on home modification for professionals and consumers. Homemods.org includes a searchable national directory that lists home modification and repair programs and businesses from across the country.
   
• Eldercare Locator, a service provided by the Administration on Aging (AoA), connects you to services for older adults with and without disabilities and their families, including home modification.

Financial Aid

• The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides information on how to finance your home modifications. These resources included federal loan programs, community-based programs, and consumer information. HUD also provides information by state on financing your home modification.
   
• The NIDILRR-funded ADA National Network, which is comprised of 10 Regional Centers, has a very helpful FAQ on available funding assistance for people with disabilities who are trying to purchase assistive devices, ramps, and related items.

Independent Living

• Your local Independent Living Council (ILC) can help you find home modification resources and financial resources to help you in your home modification process. The Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) hosts a Directory of Center’s for Independent Living, just click on your state or territory to find your local Center.
   
• The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) hosts Visitability.org, a website that provides information and news on construction, townhomes, costs, policy strategies, and resources. Visitability.org also provides information on visitability for people without disabilities so that they can make their homes accessible to their family and friends with disabilities.

Assistive Technology (AT)

• The Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance Program – State AT Programs provides information on each state AT program and breaks down each state’s program by topic: state financing activities, device reutilization, device loan, & device demonstration. To find your state’s program, click on your state or territory on the map.

Renters

• If you are a renter with disabilities looking for a home to rent that is accessible, socialserve.com helps users to search for accessible and affordable housing by state, choosing which options best fit their needs within their state. They also provide a Call Center whose personnel support callers in English and Spanish.
   
• NARIC’s FAQ on finding housing options is a great resource for renters with disabilities, including homeless Veterans with and without disabilities.

There is also research available from the NIDILRR community and beyond on home modification, universal design, and visitability. NARIC’s Librarian’s Picks provide information on organizations on various topics, including independent living and universal and adaptive design. If you would like more information and resources related to home modification/remodeling, please contact NARIC’s information specialists.