June 24, 2005

The Honorable Jan Schakowsky
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Re: Support for the Federal Inclusive Home Design Act (HR 1441)

Dear Congresswoman Schakowsky:

The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) National Task Force on Public Awareness applauds your proposed legislation that would greatly enhance the housing for elderly people and those with disabilities. Our task force is comprised of persons with neuromuscular diseases who advise MDA on issues, such as the Inclusive Home Design Act (HR 1441), that are important to those the Association serves. Being able to find accessible housing or, better yet, to stay in one’s own home as neuromuscular disease progresses is of vital importance to maintaining our health, independence and quality of life.

MDA’s national headquarters is located in Pima County, Arizona, where the Association joined a coalition of groups representing people who are elderly and individuals with disabilities in support of Pima County’s Inclusive Home Design Ordinance. This ordinance is more comprehensive than the proposed federal bill in that it applies to all new single-family housing, regardless of the funding source. Since its passage, more than 6,000 homes have been constructed using these standards, demonstrating that the Inclusive Design standards are practical, inexpensive, and vitally important to keeping persons with disabilities included in the wider community and more fully integrated into the mainstream of American society.

If you have any questions concerning MDA’s support, please contact William W. Altaffer at (520) 323-9827.

Thank you for your worthwhile effort.

Sincerely,

The Members of the Steering Committee of the
MDA National Task Force on Public Awareness

/s William. Altaffer, Esq.
/s Mike Neufeldt
/s Jan Blaustone
/s Chris Rosa

cc: Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva
(FYI copy also sent to Elaine Smith at ConcreteChange)