Even with the demands of the holiday season competing for their time, Builders Care volunteers and staffers found time to prepare a gift that couldn’t be wrapped. Their gift was a wheelchair-accessible home for five severely disabled youngsters.
The project was undertaken in conjunction with Angelwood, a not-for-profit organization providing residential habilitation and long-term residential services to children and adults with disabilities. This newest group home on Olson Lane on Jacksonville’s Westside was the target of Builders Care holiday renovations.
“That atmosphere was just electric,” said Chris Simons, director of operations for Builders Care. “There was a special holiday spirit combined with an urgency to make this residence accessible to these young folks. Helping them find a good home is what the season is all about.”
Workers increased doorway clearances to three feet wide and changed the flooring to accommodate wheelchairs.
Modifications were made to the driveway, and concrete ramps and landings were constructed around the house.
Extensive re-plumbing was necessary to make bathrooms wheelchair accessible and to accommodate the addition of an interior sprinkler system for fire protection.