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Accessible Apartments

I�ve just learned about this great site. It is a national clearinghouse for accessible apartments. When I checked today, PA had over 300 listings. If you�re looking to move around the corner or across the country. . . give them a try.

The following is from their website http://www.forrent.com/naac/
It shows you their philosophy:

In this country we place a high value on personal freedoms. For people with disabilities, these freedoms continue to come, however slowly, within reach. As an example of this progress, the apartment industry has developed an effective means to connect individuals with disabilities with apartments that have been designed for, or adapted to meet their needs: The National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse (NAAC). With all of life's challenges, the National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse believes that finding a place to live should not be one of them.

NAAC maintains the ONLY national database of accessible apartments, with a registration of more than 46,000 units. It's a vital resource for the disabled community and an excellent vehicle for apartment owners and managers to effectively market their accessible apartments.

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AIRLINE TRAVEL

Tips for Summer Travelers: Security Screening Advice for Passengers with Disabilities. These tips are provided to help travelers with disabilities through the security screening process.

? It is recommended that you notify your airline in advance if you have special needs or need assistance at the airport or need a pass/authorization for your companion/assistant to accompany you through the security checkpoint and to your gate.
? You can always ask for and receive a private screening.
? The limit of one carry-on bag and one personal item (e.g. purse or briefcase) for each traveler does not apply to passengers with disabilities medical supplies, equipment, mobility aids, or assistive devices. A wheelchair is not counted as a piece of luggage. The airline may not charge for the transportation of a wheelchair.
? Mobility aids and assistive devices permitted through the security checkpoints include: canes, walkers, crutches, prosthetic devices, body braces, wheelchairs, scooters, augmentation devices and service animals.
? It will expedite the screening process if you let the screener know your level of ability (e.g. whether you can walk, stand, or perform an arm lift) and whether you need assistance from the screener.
? Inform screeners of any special equipment or devices that you are using, and where the equipment is located on your body. This will help the screener to be careful of that equipment if a physical search is necessary. Let them know if you have special equipment that cannot safely be scanned by x-ray.
? Let screeners know if you cannot remove your shoes when additional screening is necessary.
? To expedite the process, ensure all bags and satchels hanging from, carried under or on your wheelchair are put on the x-ray belt for inspection and ask the screener to reunite you with your items once inspection is completed.
? Notify screeners if you need to sit down before the screening process is completed.
? You can ask for a private screening for the visual and physical inspection of your prosthetic device and/or body braces.
? Crutches, canes, and walkers will need to go through the x-ray machine. If they cannot fit through the x-ray, then the screener will perform a visual and physical inspection of your equipment.
? You should NOT be asked to remove your prosthetic device or body brace for it to undergo x-ray inspection. Prosthetic devices and body braces should be visually and physically inspected once you have walked through the metal detector.

? Screeners will need to see and touch prosthetic devices and body braces as part of the physical and visual inspection.

Above information obtained from: http://www.tsa.gov/workingwithtsa/tips_disabilities.shtm
(US Trans.Sec.Admin.)

Traveling with a Wheelchair:

Insure that your travel agent and the airline are aware of the special needs of the traveler at least 48 hours prior to travel. Allow plenty of time for security screening and check in at the gate.

? The individual who requires assistance will be the first to board the aircraft.
? The airline will allow use of the individual�s wheelchair to the door of the aircraft at which time the individual transfers from their wheelchair to a special narrow aircraft chair for transportation to their seat.
? If disassembly for loading of the wheelchair is required, the airline will provide the service and reassemble it at the destination.
? The individual will be the last passenger to leave the aircraft after landing and the first person to board prior to takeoff to ensure the travel agent or airline allows sufficient time for plane transfers during the trip.
? At the end of the flight, the individual�s wheelchair will be waiting at the door of the aircraft.

A free 40-page booklet entitled �New Horizons: Information for the air Traveler with a Disability� is available from the U.S. Department of Transportation by calling (202) 366-2220.

Taken from SBA CO. Insider July/Aug/Sept 2002