Moving tips for people with disabilities

Moving is an incredibly tiring experience itself. But it becomes even more difficult if you or someone you are moving with has a disability. When moving with a disability, you need to approach the move from a different angle. You need a deeper and broader understanding of what is going to happen to you. And you need to find creative ways to make this step as smooth and easy as possible. With that in mind, Big Man’s Moving Company Florida prepared some helpful moving tips for people with disabilities.

Eight moving tips for people with disabilities to make the process easier

Moving is difficult for everyone – sorting and packing things, saying goodbye to friends, and hiring movers in Largo FL takes time and energy. But for people with disabilities, moving takes on a whole new meaning.

1. Plan ahead for disability benefits and services

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) accompanies you no matter where you live in the US. So you don’t need to worry about reapplying or additional headaches. But you need to be sure they know you have changed your address. If you are moving across state lines, the benefits available by the state may vary depending on what additional coverage the state or municipality offers. If you are currently using a local disability service, research in advance what may be available to you in your new hometown so that you can get your paperwork done as early as possible. Your local housing authority or city government should be able to help you determine what you can apply for and how best to access the services available when you move. Or you can use the Social Security Disability Planner to help navigate your move.

2. Apply for financial assistance

Since people with disabilities may need additional assistance during the move, there are organizations that can help with the financial aspects of the move. National Institute on Life Planning for People with Disabilities, ADAPT and AUCD will all provide grant assistance. However, before contacting them with a request, make sure you indicate exactly what you need help with: hiring movers, cleaners, or adding accessibility fixtures to your new home.

3. Make a checklist before moving

Whether you have a disability or not, the organization will be key when moving. Being organized is even more important if you have a disability – make sure you give yourself a few weeks before moving to make a checklist. Write down everything you need to do before you start packing or moving anything. This can include disposing of old and unused items and making sure you clean up your previous home before moving into your new one.

We also recommend making the ultimate packing checklist. This will give you a blueprint and order for when and how you are going to organize everything for your move so that you don’t pack something and then find that you still need to have access to it before you move.

4. Accessibility

If you have not already mapped out the accessibility of your new home, you should do so immediately. One of the best moving tips for people with disabilities is to make sure to outline the best ways to get in and out of your new home, especially when it comes to a wheelchair or stairs. You should also check:

• The width of hallways and doorways in your new home
• Countertop height for your convenience in the kitchen and bathroom
• If the house has ramps and do you need to add ramps somewhere for entry and exit
• Garage to make sure you have plenty of space and security measures are in place
• That there are no cables and any other tripping hazards on the way

5. Find health facilities near you

One of the most important things to do before moving is to find the nearest health facilities. For any disability, it’s always important that you know exactly where the nearest healthcare professional is in the event of an emergency.

6. Pack the bag for 2-3 days

Moving is a long and difficult process, and it is not always ideal. It can be easy to get lost here and there along the way, making it really difficult to find what you are looking for. With this in mind, make sure not to get caught with all the boxes of clothes buried in the bottom of the pile. And be sure to pack your bag of clothes and toiletries for 2-3 days. Make sure you keep all medications or medical devices related to your disability close at all times while moving.

7. Check for hazards

As you scan your new home for accessibility, assess the potential hazards in your new home. Make sure you or a trusted companion take a close look at your new home and the area around it for potential hazards, including:

• Ledges and stairs
• Surfaces that can be slippery when wet
• Low suspended ceilings or doorways
• Other obstacles that could pose a threat to your health or safety

8. Hire a moving company

When moving with a disability, it is in your best interest to find a reliable moving company. Make sure you shop around before deciding which company to go with. Ask for advice from friends, family, and colleagues. Explore information about each company on the Internet and read reviews about them from other customers. You may even find that some moving companies Pinellas County have the experience and skills for moving people with disabilities.

Conclusion

Moving home is a difficult process itself, and when you are a person with a disability, the process becomes more difficult. Well, with these moving tips for people with disabilities, you can make your move as stress-free as possible. Hire trained and dedicated moving professionals for fast and effective results.