Understanding Home Accessibility Assessments
Navigating the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the benefits that may be available to you. In Ontario, the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) outlines the benefits available to injured individuals and specifies eligibility criteria and the process for accessing these benefits. As an Accident Benefits Specialist, my role is to ensure you are aware of benefits that you may be entitled to, such as home modifications, to assist you on your path to recovery.
One benefit that many accident victims are unaware of relates to home modifications. Typically, home modifications are for individuals who have suffered significant or catastrophic injuries that impact their mobility or ability to function safely in their home. These injuries may include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, vision loss, orthopedic injuries, or other severe impairments.
When there is a concern that a person may require home modifications, a home accessibility assessment may be completed. A home accessibility assessment is a comprehensive assessment conducted by professionals qualified to evaluate the accessibility needs of an individual’s home following an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Assessors typically include occupational therapists, accessibility consultants, architects, and contractors. These assessments determine the modifications required to make a home accessible and safe for an injured individual.
It is important to note that the home the injured individual was living in at the time of the accident is the home that needs to be assessed for insurance purposes. The home accessibility assessment tells the injured individual’s story and provides the rationale for the recommended home modifications. The assessors will look at the current accessibility features and limitations of the individual’s home, including entrances, hallways, stairways, bathrooms, bedrooms, the kitchen, dining area, and all other living areas.
The recommendations in the report focus on designing accessibility solutions that cater to the individual’s specific needs with the goal of creating a barrier-free environment. These recommendations may include installing ramps, lifts, or elevators; widening doorways; lowering countertops; adding grab bars or handrails; modifying existing kitchen and bathroom fixtures; installing anti-slip flooring, kickplates, and wall protection for wheelchair use; and any other modification to facilitate independent living. Recommendations may also include home devices such as communication aids and monitored security systems. A funding request is then submitted to the insurer based on the recommended home modifications. The insurer may consider the purchase of a new home if it is more cost-effective than renovating the existing home.
A home accessibility report is instrumental in identifying and addressing accessibility barriers in the home which is necessary for improving quality of life and transitioning back to independent living. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, be sure to consult with a legal representative specializing in personal injury to understand your rights.
About the Authors
Prior to joining Oatley Vigmond in 2020, Lisa worked in the insurance industry for 12 years with a focus on accident benefits claims. She has experience in adjusting complex and catastrophic claims, team leading, mentorship and alternative dispute resolution. With the knowledge and insight of how an insurance company operates, Lisa acts as the primary liaison with the accident benefits insurer and is effective at obtaining benefits from insurance companies.