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Help build this showcase model accesssible house
We are in need of cash and in-kind contributions
Chairs & Cares Model Accessible House, Inc is a
Wisconsin licensed IRS approved 501c3 corporation
Make a Contribution
(Contribution Pledge Form in PDF format. 171 KB)
Brochure
Choices for Independent Living, a Model Accessible House
(Brochure in PDF format. 260 KB)
Floor Plan
First Floor
Construction Drawings
This website is devoted to having a showcase model accessible home built in the Wausau area for the sole purpose of education in the form of a real, enter and see, hands-on, totally accessible living environment. The house will reflect as many elements of UNIVERSAL DESIGN as can be practically included. Note: the Universal Design file is a very large pdf. It may take many minutes to open.
My personal experience, reinforced by discussion with other Chairs & Cares members, got me thinking about residential accessibility. One of the major concerns when one is injured is the ability to live independently. A major part of this independence is a home that facilitates the needs of the handicapped individual and his or her family. As I thought about this I visualized a model, or demonstration, accessible home that could be used by everyone in the community to learn about accessible design and construction, and to actually see examples of what is available. I initially shared my vision with Paul Wiegert and Crystal Lambrecht. They both agreed that the idea had value. Then I described it to the rest of the Chairs & Cares group. They also agreed. I talked to local builder Chuck Ghidorzi and he suggested talking to someone at NTC. I talked to Marathon Couty Board member Marv Anderson who suggested talking to Joe Mielczarek at NTC. I met with Joe and he liked the idea well enough to suggest that NTC might help an effort to build it. The NTC board agreed. With that encouragement Paul, Joe, and I took on a project to build a model home in Wausau for display purposes and for use as a teaching laboratory for NTC students and local contractors. Later, Roger Plamann, architectural design instructor at NTC joined our team. This showcase model house will be of benefit to the community in multiple ways.
Objective - The objective of Chairs & Cares is to build and operate a state-of-art showcase model accessible home where people with disabilities, contractors, professionals, students and the community can gain first hand knowledge of various assistive technology alternatives and modifications available to assist disabled individuals to live independently in their community.
The entire facility and surrounding landscape will display and demonstrate, in an actual home setting, numerous and varied state of the art accessible design and adaptable technologies.
What - Two story, 4,600 sq ft house - four bedrooms, four bathrooms, kitchen, resource library, exercise area, meeting room/classroom, garage, and reception office. An elevator and a stair lift will also be included. The house will be operated by a national disabilities resource organization member, Midstate Independent Living Consultants (MILC).
MILC is one of 8 Independent living centers in Wisconsin. There are over 500 in the U.S. Another one in Wisconsin, Options for Independent Living in Green Bay, has been running a house just like this since 1997. They serve over 800 individuals and organizations per year, plus hosting numerous additional social group meetings. For more information see their website, OptionsIL.com.
Purpose - Provide a place where people can come to see a state-of-art accessible house and obtain information about the type of building modifications, equipment, furniture, fixtures, appliances and technologies that are available to help people live independently, longer, in their own homes or apartments.
Where - The house will be located on campus at the Northcentral Technical College on the northwest side of Wausau. It will service the Central Wisconsin area including, but not limited to, the counties of Marathon, Portage, Wood, Lincoln, Taylor, Clark, Vilas, Iron, Langlade, Menominee, Shawano, Waupaca, Oneida, Price, Ashland, Forest, Sawyer, Rusk, etc.
Why Needed - We have an aging population and growing number of people with disabilities. According to Options for Independent Living, "One out of six Americans (approximately 55 million) will experience what is deemed to be a significant disability during their life. With our aging population, by 2012 more Americans will be over age 65 than under, the need for accessible living accommodations will only grow." "Persons with disabilities are the greatest growing minority in the U.S. today." A Kiplinger report about retirement indicates that in 2003 the national average cost for a nursing home was $57,700 per year. In 2003 Wisconsin was close to the national average at $56,400 per year. A September 2004 Met Life report indicates the annual average cost rose to over $60,000 in Wisconsin.
Beneficiaries - Local disabled and elderly people, disabled veterans, their families, doctors, medical rehab specialists, insurance rehab specialists, builders and contractors, attorneys, and NTC students (medical program, residential design, architecture, electrical, mechanical).
When - Timeline: Start construction spring 2006. Complete late summer / early fall 2006.
How - Local builders will build the model home. Whenever possible, students of NTC will participate. Fresh Start students will also participate. NTC Architectural Design Professor, Roger Plamann, has created architectural designs and plans. Keller Builders will be the general contractor. To the extent possible, foundations and the general community population as well as donated time and materials of local businesses and trade unions will fund the home. Break ground in spring 2006. Complete construction late summer/fall 2006. Include in 2007 Parade of Homes.
Cost - Turnkey estimate = $1,200,000 total value. Offset by estimated $600,000 - $800,000 donated labor, building materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and appliances (based on OptionsIL building cost).
Perpetuation - Estimated annual operating cost = $20,000 - $25,000 (benchmarked to the OptionsIL House). Rent from MILC will partially offset the cost. Estimated average annual donations of $10,000 - $20,000 will offset the balance of the operating costs and help build an endowment fund.
An endowment account will be established to fund shortages in emergency maintenance, repair, and necessary updating to remain "state-of-art" with respect to accessibility. When established, account will be targeted at a minimum of $200,000.
The following links are to documents that were used to create a brochure and draft business plan for the house.