44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE ON CONCERNS OF THE HANDICAPPED CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY "VISITABILITY" ISSUES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, simple things like narrow doors, porch steps and door thresholds can be insurmountable barriers for some people with impaired mobility; and

WHEREAS, due to these barriers, children and adults with disabilities are isolated because they cannot visit the homes of friends, classmates, relatives and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, these types of barriers prevent people from living at home as they become elderly or infirm or while recuperating from an injury or illness; and

WHEREAS, because people are living longer, a greater percentage of the population is over sixty-five and the need for suitable housing is increasing; and

WHEREAS, certain basic construction features, such as wider doors, zero-stop thresholds and modified bathrooms, add very little cost, yet make new homes "visitable" and substantially more livable for persons who are aging, injured or disabled;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped be requested to convene a task force composed of representatives from the disabled community; the residential building and manufactured housing industries, including builders, developers, architects and manufactured housing sellers; planning and zoning officials; and other interested parties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped study all aspects of the "visitability" issues in new home construction, including cost, need and alternatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped report its findings to the legislative finance committee no later than October 30, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped, the superintendent of regulation and licensing and the legislative finance committee.