Below is the a media release about the renovation of a low-income, disabled veteran's home using Universal Design. It is an AARP DC priority to encourage the use of Universal Design to make homes safer and more comfortable for all residents regardless of age or ability. Check out this online tour of a house AARP transformed with Universal Design last year. http://www.aarp.org/states/dc/articles/Check_Out_DC_House_Transformed_With_Universal_Design.html
ASID Foundation and Rebuilding Together Team Up to Renovate the DC Home of Local Veteran
Low-income, disabled veteran’s home in Northeast DC to be renovated this weekend
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 18, 2009) | Through a pilot project for a new national partnership, the American Society of Interior Designers Foundation (ASID Foundation) and Rebuilding Together’s Veterans Housing Initiative will renovate the home of a low-income, disabled veteran in the District of Columbia on March 21 and 22. A team of designers from the ASID Washington Metro chapter, volunteers, sponsors and contractors will tackle and complete the home remodel in an intense, two-day renovation project. Currently the home is a safety hazard with limited wheelchair accessibility. With the help of interior design, the home will become a safe, welcoming and livable space for the deserving veteran and his family.
The renovation will benefit Willis Barnes, a Vietnam War veteran who is wheelchair bound and has lived in his home in Northeast Washington, DC for more than 35 years. Barnes lost the use of the left side of his body after a stroke. His wife, who was also wheelchair bound, recently passed away.
“We are overjoyed at the opportunity to have the house made more wheelchair accessible for our uncle,” said Sonya, Barnes’ niece. “His favorite place to sit is in the dining room and after the ASID and Rebuilding Together team’s work is done, we’ll be able to get him there without his wheelchair hitting the wall.”
ASID designers, volunteers and engineers and construction workers from the Bolling Air Force Basewill fix a variety of accessibility and livability issues with the house that will greatly improve Barnes’ quality of life. This includes an expansion and complete overhaul of the main bathroom with a new roll-in shower, building a new wheelchair ramp entrance, adding handrails to all stairways and installing grab bars in strategic locations. The team will also paint, plaster and replace drywall throughout the house, fix a basement bathroom for the Barnes’ caretaker and fix the garage doors.
“ASID Foundation is proud to be partnering with Rebuilding Together on the Veteran Housing Initiative to encourage ASID designers across the country to take part in lending their expertise to a worthy cause, and to help improve the lives of deserving veterans,” said Michael Alin, Hon. FASID, ASID Executive Director. “The pilot project in DC and the overwhelming support from ASID members and companies in the area is a terrific start to the program and will serve as a model and success story for other ASID chapters to follow.”
The Veterans Housing Initiative focuses on rehabilitating the houses of low-income active and retired members of the military. Since its inception in 2005, it has mobilized more than 8,000 volunteers, taken on more than 200 projects and provided more than $1.7 million to its affiliates for veteran housing projects across the nation.
ASID Foundation and Rebuilding Together thank the generous donations that made this project possible:
· Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Industry Partner of ASID
· Daltile/Alexandria showroom, Industry Partner of ASID
· Decorative Film Depot
· Delta Faucet Company, Industry Partner of ASID
· Fabricare
· Ferguson, Industry Partner of ASID
· Flooring Solutions Inc.
· K.C. Company, Inc.
· Kohler, Co., Industry Partner of ASID
· Sherwin-Williams, Industry Partner of ASID
· Stock Building
By appointment, media are invited to photograph the remodel and interview those involved. Contact sperkins@asid.org to arrange.
About ASID Foundation: As the leading interior design organization, ASID is dedicated to progressing the profession of interior design. The ASID Foundation supports endeavors that capture and disseminate knowledge, encourage innovation, and benefit the health safety, and welfare of the public through interior design research, scholarships and education. The Foundation’s newest partnership with Rebuilding Together and their Veteran’s Housing Initiative focusing on rehabilitating the houses of low-income active and retired members of the military. Other ASID Foundation initiatives include CIDA’s Accreditation Process Review and REGREEN, a collaborative project with the U.S. Green Building Council. Learn more at www.asidfoundation.org
About Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding Together is a nationwide nonprofit that works to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. Their Veterans Housing Initiative assists retired and active service men and women by helping with housing modifications and repair services. They strive to provide safe and accessible housing for all low-income veterans through partnerships with corporate sponsors. Learn more about Rebuilding Together at www.rebuildingtogether.org
