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Rotary Set On Installing Ramps For Disabled

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

VALRICO - Rotarians are ramping up efforts to help disabled veterans and children gain easier, safer access to their homes.

Chad Norgard, board member of the Rotary Club of Bloomingdale/FishHawk, said 46 clubs in the Rotary district that includes Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties have a common goal in 2009: to install custom-built entryway ramps at the homes of 104 disabled people, one for each year Rotary International has been in service.

An engineer offered to help by obtaining permits and designing the ramps to meet county codes, and club members committed to roll up their sleeves to build and install the inclines. To connect with people in need of ramps, the clubs partnered with Self Reliance Inc. Center for Independent Living on Armenia Avenue in Tampa.
Self Reliance interim director Brenda Ruehl said the agency, which provides free services and products to promote the independence of disabled people, was delighted to help facilitate the project. The agency of last resort relies largely on county, state and federal funding that in many cases prohibits it from providing home modifications, including the installation of ramps at mobile homes or rental properties.

"Mobile homes are considered vehicles, and rentals are excluded because the government doesn't want to use public dollars to improve a private owner's income-generating property," Ruehl said.

The Rotary program aims to be more flexible. By last week, Ruehl had lined up about 50 prospective ramp recipients.

Norgard said his club hit a speed bump with the first incline they attempted to provide for a wheelchair-bound woman who lives with her husband, who is paralyzed. The dilapidated ramp in place at the couple's home in Valrico was built with a steep angle that is dangerous to navigate.

"Our engineer said there wasn't enough space for a ramp with an incline that would meet county codes," Norgard said. "Now we're looking at a 4-foot-by-4-foot lift that would eliminate her current ramp completely and free up her patio space."

He said the club wants to target disabled veterans and children, but members will help whomever they can.

"Anything we can do to give back to veterans is always a good thing, because they're giving us the peace while they're over there in harm's way," Norgard said. "And I believe you need to take any opportunity you can to help a child in need."

But, like Ruehl, he said, "We don't want to turn anyone away."

To donate money or building supplies, or to apply to receive a ramp, call Self Reliance at (813) 375-3965 or e-mail bruehl@self-reliance.org.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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