Contractors dealing with wet basements have a new tool in In February of 2002, the Chicago
suburb of Naperville, Ill., passed a
local “visitability” ordinance meant
to improve wheelchair access to new
single-family private homes. The
ordinance, vigorously promoted by
advocates for the disabled, mandated
wider first-floor doorways, the
installation of grab-bar blocking in
bathrooms, and accessible light
switches and electrical outlets (see
“Builders Wary of ‘Visitability’
Regulations,” Notebook, 3/02).
One key provision not included
in the original ordinance — a
requirement for a no-step entrance
ramp — was shelved for further
study, although it was widely
expected to be phased in later.
But at a city council meeting in
May, the no-step entrance provision
was thrown out altogether
after the city’s