The Best Moving Advice for People With Disabilities

Whether you need a home that is better suited to your needs, or you need a larger home to accommodate your growing family, there are countless reasons to consider moving. Finding a place with the right accommodations and modifications does not have to be impossible. With the right information and help, you can find a perfect new home.

Assess Your Needs

Realtor.com recommends clarifying your needs before looking for a home. You may need a ranch-style home if you have limited mobility, or you may need a home full of natural light if you have low vision. Also, consider the area in which you want to live. Some neighborhoods are closer to public transportation, pharmacies, rehabilitation centers, and medical facilities than others. Keep in mind how close you need to be to these services when searching for a neighborhood.

Then, carefully consider the layout of your new home. You may need one with wider doorways and stairwells. Or, you may need a home with lower counters and a wheel-in shower. The next step is to determine a budget for a home that is move-in ready or a home that you could modify to accommodate your needs.

Make Accommodations Before You Move In

If you’re going to be comfortable in your new home, you need to make it as functional as possible quickly. It’s better to hire contractors to complete home improvements to modify the home sooner, rather than later. Consider having them concentrate on your main living areas first, such as the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

You may need to budget your most pressing projects first, or you could reach out to organizations for financial assistance or apply for grants for homeowners with disabilities to help cover costs. The Council for Disability Rights offers a robust list of funding sources for making home modifications that you will find useful.

If you are a disabled veteran, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can assist you with housing grants. Specifically, the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) gants give eligible veterans help in purchasing, building, or remodeling to create a home that meets your needs. You also may find help from Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit agency that purchases or builds specially adapted homes for veterans who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.

Preparing for Moving Day

When you find a home that suits your needs, start packing and preparing for moving day. Unpakt recommends hiring a reputable moving company that has experience with moving people with disabilities. It’s also a good idea to hire a company that offers packing and unpacking services, so be prepared to ask questions about rates and availability. Inquire about peak moving days and times and try to avoid them so you don’t feel rushed when the big day arrives.

To make moving day go more smoothly, declutter and sort your belonging well ahead of time. The less you have to move, the less you will have to pay. Also, get as organized as possible and make sure your boxes are labeled with the rooms they belong in to make unpacking easier for everyone. During the move, be available and alert to make sure your belongings are organized in a way that is accessible to you. Before your help leaves, carefully look in each room and make sure that your large items are exactly where you want them, so you can make changes as needed.

Most importantly, if you require medication or medical equipment, pack these items in a separate bag or box and keep it handy. The last thing you want to worry about is not having the essentials when you need them, especially during the chaos of a move.

If you are living with a disability, you deserve a home that suits your needs. Find a home in the right neighborhood and then make accommodations quickly. Rely on a moving company to help with packing, transporting, and unpacking your items so you can settle in and enjoy your new home.

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