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Maryland Builders Win National Disability Initiative Award
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From left: Betsy Luecking, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services; David Sharp, Montgomery County Commission on People with Disabilities; Annette Rosenblum, Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association (MNCBIA); John Stovall, MNCBIA; Rik Opstelten, National Organization on Disability; Miles Haber, MNCBIA; Gary Garczynski, National Housing Endowment; and Racquel Montenegro, MNCBIA. |
 The Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association (MNCBIA) in suburban Maryland was named the recipient of NAHB’s 2007 National Disability Initiative Award, sponsored by the National Housing Endowment and the National Organization on Disability.
MNCBIA was honored for its successful Design for Life Montgomery program — the first voluntary certification program in Maryland to promote greater accessibility and visitability in single-family attached and single-family detached construction.
MNCBIA worked with the Montgomery County Council and the county’s Commission on People with Disabilities to develop a voluntary program that home builders can follow to make their homes accessible to people living with disabilities.
Builders who follow the program requirements can receive certification from the county stating that their homes meet the standards for "visitability" and "livability."
The requirements include such universal design features as no-step entryways and wide doorways. MNCBIA also hosted educational sessions for its home builder members so that they can understand the requirements and learn the long-term benefits of building homes accessible to people living with disabilities.
MNCBIA was presented the award, which includes $1,000, during a ceremony at the NAHB Spring Board of Directors meeting last month.
“We applaud the MNCBIA for its leadership in developing a program that promotes universal design features in housing and that helps to ensure that citizens with disabilities have homes that meet their needs and enhance their lives,” said Gary Garczynski, endowment chairman and 2002 NAHB president.
The National Disability Initiative Award is presented annually to a local or state home building affiliate that has developed a program or service focused on enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.
Immediate past winners include the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Denver and the Home Builders Association of Northern Colorado.
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