Introduction
 Elements of Visit-ability
 Contemporary Housing Design
Advantage of Visit-ability
 Why Hasn't visit-ability Gained Wider Acceptance?
Costs of Visit-ability
 Case Studies
Advocacy Strategies
Recent Visit-ability Initiatives
Conclusion
Source Cited/Appendix/Acknowledgement

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Visit-ability is more than a good idea, more than a nice extra, more than a marketing ploy. The ability to age in place in one’s own home as well as the ability to visit one’s neighbors and become part of the community should be seen as a civil and a human right.

In developing this primer, it is not our intention to suggest (or attempt to mandate) that all people should live in homes that conform to a specific standard. Instead, Visit-ability advocates believe that by revising our model of housing to address the needs of a wider population, doors can be opened, literally and figuratively, to people who have very restricted housing options. The vast majority of existing housing will never be made Visit-able or accessible. By focusing on the construction of new Visit-able housing, we can increase the choices available in our neighborhoods.

We hope that the information in this primer has informed you of the benefits of accessible housing, whether you are a person with a disability or not. If you have a disability, accessibility is sometimes absolutely necessary for physical safety and usability, for convenience and for security. If you do not have a disability, we urge you to realize that the word Visit-ability is not another politically correct word. Visit-ability is a design standard that can serve the needs, preferences and abilities of a broad cross-section of society currently not served by standard housing designs. The chances are that this expanded cross-section includes you, someone within your family, or your broader social network.

We believe that Visit-ability makes sense for everyone. That is why it is consistent with the goal of universal design. As a housing strategy, Visit-ability allows more choice, flexibility, and options to more people. It makes it possible to become friends and neighbors with people seen and interacted with during the course of each day. After completing this primer, we hope that you will join us in this important step toward making our world accessible and usable for all.