"When my mother had both legs amputated, Abilities Unlimited appeared out of
nowhere to modify her home so she could use the wheelchair.  They widened
doorways, put in an entirely new bathroom with a roll in shower, lowered the
switches in the kitchen, put in a ramp, etc.  All at no cost to her.  This allowed her
to live in her home independently for years."
                                                                 Laura

Meeting The Criteria For Home Modification Assistance

To qualify for the Home Modifications for Accessible Living Program (HMAL), you
must reside within the Bloomington City Limits.  The Home Modification for
Accessible Living Program is operated through a Community Block Development
Grant.  These funds are restricted to in-city projects.

To receive Home Modification services, you must meet the following criteria:
  • Have a disability or have physical problems that often come with aging
  • Live within the Bloomington, Indiana city limits
  • Have a low to moderately low income

Please Note: The service is free to those who meet the guidelines.  HMAL is a joint
project between Abilities Unlimited Disability Services and the City of Bloomington,
Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.
       
    THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT

    A staff person from Abilities Unlimited will
    do the initial assessment of your home
    and help you with the necessary
    paperwork.  We work with the City of
    Bloomington’s Housing and
    Neighborhood Department to meet the
    standards set by the Americans With
    Disabilities Act.

Home Modification Questions

  • Has it become increasingly difficult to enter or leave your
    home because your steps are too steep or they don’t have
    handrails?

  • Does the bathroom need a grab bar so you will not slip and
    fall?

  • Are you having trouble turning your faucets on and off?

  • Has it become dangerous for you to use the bath tub?

  • Do your rooms need more light?

  • Do the doorways or a hallway need to be widened,
    because a wheelchair or walker will not fit?

  • Do you need an exterior ramp for your home or a small
    ramp for a step-up within your garage or apartment?

  • Are you having difficulty turning your doorknobs or holding
    on to banisters that are too wide?

  • Are you having difficulty walking down your sidewalk to a
    vehicle or to your garage or trash bins?  Would a handrail
    make the journey safer for you?

    We will work with you to achieve :
  • Safety
  • Comfort
  • Accessibility
    Our bodies are changeable.  In fact, change is
    the one feature of owning a body we can count
    on.  However, change in our homes doesn't
    just  happen — we have to plan it and find the
    help to get the work done.

    Home Modifications for Accessible Living
    can make the changes you need to your
    house, mobile home or apartment.

    Since 1992, Abilities Unlimited and the City of
    Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood
    Development Department (H.A.N.D.) have
    been working together to help make homes
    safely accessible.

    Abilities Unlimited does the initial intakes and
    the needs assessments.  The paperwork is
    then passed on to H.A.N.D., who in turn, hires
    the contractors and oversees the work.

    Abilities Unlimited and H.A.N.D. have found that
    this method of supplying the service runs very
    efficiently.  The Home Modifications for
    Accessible Living program model won the
    Herman P. Guenther Award for best use of
    government grant funds.  
Home Modifications
for  Accessible Living
Abilities Unlimited Inc   
2620 North Walnut Street, Suite 1205, Bloomington, IN 47404  Tel: 812-332-1620
Serving Monroe and Surrounding Counties Since 1954
A
U
Member Agency
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