How to Move with a Disability
Moving is a process that already takes a lot of strategy and planning. And when you have a physical or mobility disability, there is a little more organization that goes into it. It’s not impossible, though, especially when you surround yourself with the right help and proper resources.
How to Prepare for Your Move
Get Started Early: Usually, we encourage people to plan their move about a month in advance. But when you’re working with physical or mobile impairments, it may take a little more time to get your ducks in a row.
Make Sure Your Next Home is Accessible: You shouldn’t move anywhere without doing a little research first! Even if you’re moving in a rush, you should ensure that your next home meets all your needs. Make a list of all the modifications you’ll need and make sure you can find a place that can accommodate those needs.
Know Your Rights: As a person with a disability, it is vital to learn what rights you have. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot discriminate due to disabilities and allows the renter legally protected to ask for accommodations.
If you or someone you love is attempting to move with a mental, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, there are also legal protections for them, too. The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development allows these individuals to receive assistance with paperwork, allowing live-in assistance (including service animals), additional time for moving in and out, and other accommodations to the home.
Make a Checklist: If you have to delegate your moving tasks to outside professionals or other helpers, organization is crucial. This will help you keep track of everything when it inevitably gets a little more hectic.
Hire Professionals You Trust: If you have family and friends willing to help, that’s great! But if you have to hire help, feel free to be picky and only work with people you trust.
Moving with a Mobility Disability
People with mobility-related disabilities may need help getting around, namely with canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. For instances like this, take care to make sure that all pathways are clear. It may also be a good idea to try and install smart-home equipment in your home to limit the need for unnecessary moving around.
The most important part of any move is staying safe. Here are 15 tips to help set yourself up for success and avoid any injuries.
Moving with an Auditory Disability
Auditory disabilities like deafness can make it harder to communicate with others, especially movers and other people helping you with your move. Make sure you have all your essentials on you during the move, whether that be your cochlear implants, or a note pad and some paper for quick communication.
Moving with a Visual Disability
You don’t have to be completely blind to be considered visually impaired. People with visual disabilities can request larger print on contracts and other important documents. If you have visual impairments, consider investing in a braille label maker. This is a great way to help keep track of your boxes and belongings during the transition to your new home.
Resources for People with Disabilities
Luckily, there are plenty of resources available for people with disabilities. In fact, there are unique federal and local government agencies that can help you find and modify housing to fit your needs. Here are some government agencies to check out:
- U.S Department of Agriculture (Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Grant)
- U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S Department of Justice Civil Right Division (Americans with Disabilities Act)
How U-Haul® Can Help
Hand Controls
Mechanical hand controls allow folks with physical disabilities to use vehicles like cars and trucks. With hand controls attached, you can control the vehicle’s gas and brake pedals with handles and levers.
You can make your truck reservation any way you like; whether that be through the U-Haul app, uhaul.com, or even at your local U-Haul Center.
Installing hand controls onto a U-Haul rental is easy, too! Please call 800-682-3525 ext. 502166 at least eight days before your scheduled reservation. This gives our experts enough time to order and install the hand controls in your rental vehicle.
U-Box
If you need to do a long-distance move but don’t have the ability to physically move with all your stuff, try shipping it! With U-Box containers, you can ship your belongings to any address in the world. All you have to do is calculate the number of containers you need, and we can have them delivered right to your front door.
Moving Help
If you need help with packing, loading, unpacking, and even cleaning up your home, U-Haul can help with that, too! With our Moving Help platform, you can connect with trustworthy moving labor in your area.
When you pair a U-Box container with Moving Help, you can pull off a full-service move on a budget! Just give yourself enough time to schedule it all. We usually recommend scheduling everything about a month in advance. This ensures you can get all your equipment and moving help on time and for the best possible price.
Our Moving Help providers are vetted by U-Haul and receive reviews from real customers like you, so you always know you’re getting the best moving help that the industry has to offer.
U-Haul, we believe in the power of the do-it-yourself move. And that means for everyone! Got any questions about accessibility modifications that U-Haul Centers may be able to offer you? Then call 800-682-3525 ext. 502166!