Send us a text Today, for black history month, I will be talking about the impact on HOAs have on disable black individuals in homeownership. 60% of newly built single-family homes are part of a homeowners association and selling about 4% higher than those without an HOA, they are probably here to stay. Not only are HOAs here to stay, so is the continued discrimination. Historically HOAs found their footing in the 1960s as a way for white neighborhoods to prevent people of color from ...
Send us a text A bedroom and bathroom on wheels might be the fastest way to keep a family together—and out of an institution. We sit down with Samantha and RJ from WheelPad to unpack how a simple, universally accessible SuitePad attaches to an existing home in weeks, why towns approve faster when they hear a clear human story, and how labels like ADU, accessory structure, or “guest house” shift by zip code. Along the way, we pull apart myths that accessibility is “ugly,” and show how universa...
Send us a text Navigating the complex intersection of disability, homeownership, and financial planning requires specialized knowledge that few possess. In this eye-opening conversation, Hannah Magma shares her expertise as a Chartered Special Needs Consultant—one of fewer than 500 nationwide among over 300,000 financial advisors. Hannah, who is both a wheelchair user and parent of a medically complex child, brings personal experience to her professional insights. She explains how ABLE accoun...
Send us a text Thirty-five years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, the journey from Capitol Hill to the front door of disabled homeowners remains fraught with barriers. During Disability Awareness Month, I had the extraordinary opportunity to join the United Spinal Cord Injury Association's annual Roll on Capitol Hill event—bringing the voices of wheelchair users directly to lawmakers. My journey began with a telling experience: an out-of-service elevator threatening to p...
Send us a text Celebrate Women’s History Month with Accessibility Is Home! In this episode, your host—a proud disabled entrepreneur—takes you behind the scenes of her journey to list her fully accessible home on Airbnb. Discover how she transformed her grief into purpose, creating a space that welcomes disabled travelers and their families. This episode highlights: Key accessibility features of her home, including step-free entryways and universal design bathrooms.The challenges faced with Ai...
Send us a text In Part 2 of our conversation with Lamont McLeod, The Wheeltor, we dive deeper into how he’s transforming the real estate industry for the disability community. As a Black real estate broker and wheelchair user, Lamont is a disruptor in an industry that has long overlooked accessibility. He shares how embracing his identity not only strengthened his brand but also challenged outdated industry norms. Angela and Lamont discuss the challenges of marketing accessible homes, the hes...
Send us a text In honor of African American Awareness Month, Accessibility is Home proudly welcomes a powerhouse in real estate—Lamont McLeod, a multi-million-dollar real estate broker, wheelchair user, and the visionary behind The Wheeltor brand. As a Black entrepreneur navigating both the real estate industry and the world as a quadriplegic, Lamont’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and advocacy. In this episode, host Angela Fox and Lamont discuss the systemic barriers to accessibl...
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to transformative nonprofit fundraising with our special guest, Cami Baker, on Accessibility is Home Podcast. Imagine the potential of real estate donations to revolutionize the way nonprofits, including those dedicated to the disability community, receive financial support. Cami shares valuable insights on how property owners can enjoy significant tax benefits by donating real estate, thus maximizing the funds available for charitable causes. You'll also lea...
Send us a text Can real estate truly revolutionize accessibility and independence for all? We invite you to listen to our inspiring conversation with Gretchen Kingma and Tiffany Dill, founders of Empowered Homes and Custom Joy. These remarkable occupational therapists turned entrepreneurs share their unique journeys from traditional therapy roles to becoming pioneers in accessible housing solutions. Hear how Gretchen, motivated by high rehospitalization rates among her patients, transitioned ...
Send us a text Ever wondered the role of a Life Care Planner has to make a home truly accessible ? Join me, Angela Fox, as we unravel the complexities of real estate and accessible living with insights from my guests, Danielle Reed and Foncio Smith. They bring a unique blend of medical and building expertise to the table, sharing their personal and professional journey in transforming residential spaces into havens of comfort and independence for those with spinal cord injuries through ...
Send us a text Traveling can be challenging if you are disabled because of inaccessible short term rentals. But through the help of disabled homeowners and "Becoming Rentable," that will change! In honor of Accessibility Is Home podcast winning the Sonic Bloom Pioneer Award, to pioneers are interviewed - Angela Fox and Lorraine Woodward. Lorraine Woodward is the visionary behind Becoming Rentable, who's reshaping the travel landscape to accommodate everyone's needs. Our conv...
Send us a text I teamed up with Griffin Benton from the Maryland Building Industry Association for a heart-to-heart on the Universal Design and Visitability for Housing Act that's revolutionizing homes in Prince George's County, Maryland. We're marking International Day of Acceptance for Disability by celebrating the strides in inclusivity this legislation promises. Griffin provides an insider's view of the industry's initial hesitations and the ultimate community benefits envisioned. We also...
Send us a text In this episode, Amazon to Go Stores and Wheel Under Stovetop will be examined regarding the accessibility features that may or may not exist. Amazon to Go Stores allows customers to buy products without using any type of checkout through smart technology sensors. Using an Amazon app, all products that are taken from the store will be billed to your account. But can this new Grab and Go process be accessible to all abilities? According to an article by one of my favorite websit...
Send us a text What happens when an architectural enthusiast, world traveler, and disability advocate merges her passion with her profession? Meet Leslie Davis, who has spent the past 20 years coordinating disability services and making the world a more accessible place during her international travels. After being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, she transformed her personal experience with disability into a mission of educating and assisting businesses in becoming more accessib...
Send us a text This week, we take you on an enlightening journey through the world of accessibility and home design for individuals with dementia and Neurodivergent disabilities. Jonathan Katz joins us to untangle the complexities of accessible design in kitchens and bathrooms. Together, we dig deep into the innovative solutions that can improve usability in the kitchen - from induction stoves to smart fridges. How often do we think about the dimensions of our refrigerators? Probably n...
Send us a text For National Disability Employment Awareness Month, join us for an enlightening conversation with Adith Thummalapalli, an ingenious engineer with a disability who guides us through the complex maze of housing accessibility. We examine the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act Section 504, and the Fair Housing Act, spotlighting their shortcomings when it comes to private residences. Aditha and I challenge the concept of "barrier-free" and argue against the nece...
Send us a text Learn how the state of Maryland is one of the best states for disability homeownership. Intrigued? Join me, Angela Fox, in this insightful discussion as we debunk the conventional reliance on the HUD 203K Rehab Loan and spotlight the unique benefits and flexibility of the Home Ability loan program. This isn't just about borrowing up to 95% of a home's value or the deferred zero-interest rate loan for closing costs, it's about broadening horizons and championing inclusivit...
Send us a text Ever wondered how accessible the Caribbean Royal Hotel in Orlando, Florida truly is? For its first anniversary of #NationalAccessibleAirTravelDay, we're diving deep into every nook and cranny - from the thermostat to the shower gel placement to the furniture layout - to bring you a thorough understanding of the hotel's temporary and long-term accessibility features. We discuss the thoughtful designs such as the lower height placement of thermostats and outlets and bountif...
Send us a text Ever wondered how someone with a disability navigates the world of accessible home ownership? All successful disabled individuals can find their success from hard work and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Join us as we chat with Sandy, a quadriplegic woman, who shares her journey from adapting her childhood home to her college dorm experience and the pursuit of accessible living spaces. Listen and learn how Sandy faced the challenges of modifying a house or a condo ...
Send us a text What if you could transform your bathroom into a fully accessible space without sacrificing style or functionality? Our knowledgeable guest, Karin Wilson, shares her experience and insights on accessible wet room showers and how they have changed her life. As a power wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, Karin has lived in multiple accessible homes and has even designed her own functional wet room showers, allowing her to shower comfortably and conveniently. Karin is also a trav...