No matter what a person’s age or stage in life is, moving into a new apartment is an accomplishment worthy of celebration. For Valerie, it’s not just a place to live, it’s a home that is accessible to her and customized to fit her needs.

Navigating From the 3rd Floor

Every single day Val climbed up and down several flights of stairs to leave her apartment, go to work, and return. The building she had been living in was constructed in the 1930’s and contained no elevators. At first this wasn’t a huge issue. But as Val grew older, there were factors she and her staff needed to consider, such as managing her low bone density.

Accessibility is of the utmost importance. To better serve Val’s needs, one of her Jay Nolan staff, Zeina, went further and acquired a letter from the doctor recommending she be given an apartment on the 1st floor to accommodate her. However, the building supervisor stated many people were currently waiting for a ground level apartment and nothing could be guaranteed.

Finding housing to meet her needs was no easy feat. With rising housing prices and lack of availability in the local community, Val and her dedicated staff had to be constantly vigilant as they sought out every opportunity for a home that’s right for her.

“I’m here to support Val and I’m here to make sure that Valerie gets this.” – Zeina

Finding A New Place

One day Zeina noticed a brand new apartment complex being built near her and kept an eye on when they would start accepting applications. As soon as they did, Zeina was right there with Val to inquire. But being quick was not the only factor. The whole process took about a year with some ups and downs with the application and looking into Section 8 programs to ensure the rent fit her budget. Val and her staff remained hopeful and with every completed step they got closer and closer to achieving their goal.

Finally, after months of waiting, hoping, and advocating, Val finally secured a new place to call home that was perfect for her needs.

“She’s been with Jay Nolan for many, many years. So for this to come along, I was like ‘Oh my God finally.’ It wasn’t easy, but we got through it.” – Zeina

A Huge Win for Val

The biggest win for Val and her staff was being able to finally live somewhere with an elevator. Older buildings, like the one Val was previously in, lack accessibility features such as elevators. This can be extremely debilitating, especially for individuals with mobility limitations. Quality buildings in the right location that are also accessible can be more difficult to find than many would assume. So, it was no small feat to discover this brand new apartment complex with these improvements.

A ground floor apartment was no longer Val’s only option, and this access has had such an impact on her both physically and emotionally. Val is living happily on the 5th floor with a great view and thriving with the accessibility features she deserves. Long-term planning for Val’s living situation is a lighter conversation now that the benefits of the new building contribute immensely to her state of being.

The Importance of Accessibility

Accessibility is not limited to just mobility needs. Accessibility looks different for everyone depending on their abilities and what support systems they may want. In Valerie’s situation, mobility was a driving factor for her accessibility needs. However, there were emotional ties as well.

Once Val’s living situation improved, her mental burden lightened. Discussions with plans for retirement and future accommodations remain uplifting and hopeful with Val’s accessible opportunities.

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