The Critical Role of Accessibility Ramps in Helping People Live Independently

Written by Tami Bonnett, IVHFH Development Director
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A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit one of the homes we've been working on through our Helping Hands home repair program. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has been working to make this home more accessible for the homeowner, Rosenda, who has mobility challenges. We installed an accessibility ramp, a crucial modification to ensure she can safely enter and exit her home.

The project was nearing completion, and I wanted to gather photos and videos to document our work. That day, however, the weather was less than cooperative. It was a cold and windy Friday, with snowdrifts piling up along the county roads. I was driving through rural Iowa, and as I turned down a gravel road leading to the house, I couldn't help but notice just how isolated the location was. Open fields stretched, allowing the wind to blow snow across the roads, and there were no nearby neighbors in sight.

I parked and quickly got out of the car, feeling the cold wind burn my face and fingers. After taking a few photos of the ramp and shooting a couple of videos of the 60-foot ramp, the longest we've ever installed, I rushed back to the warmth of my car. As I drove back down the gravel road, the isolation of the area stayed with me. The home felt so far removed from any help, and I couldn't stop thinking about the homeowner. What would Rosenda do if she fell outside? How long would it take for someone to come to her aid? It was a stark reminder of how geographically isolated some rural homeowners are and how vulnerable they can be, especially in the winter when cold temperatures and harsh winds can quickly turn a simple fall into a life-threatening situation.

While that Friday had been cold, temperatures plunged below zero the following Monday and Tuesday, with wind chills nearing negative 20°F. I couldn't stop thinking about Rosenda, imagining her outside in such extreme cold—perhaps trying to retrieve something from her car or check her mailbox. In those frigid conditions, I realized that if she were to fall and couldn't get up, she might not survive more than an hour before the cold took its toll.

The reality of how essential our home repairs are genuinely hit me. I don't think I'd ever connected someone's living situation to a life-or-death scenario in such a direct way. It was a crucial moment of reflection for me and one that I wanted to share with our staff at our Tuesday staff meeting. I shared my reflections to remind everyone of the life-saving nature of our work. I also wanted to thank the Helping Hands crew, who work through extreme weather to complete these essential projects.

In our discussion, our Helping Hands Director, Aaron Kiesey, shared that the hypothetical scenario I had been thinking about—Rosenda falling and unable to get up—had already happened. Aaron explained that she had undergone knee replacement surgery and was in the middle of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Rosenda had transportation to her appointments, but on one occasion, her ride dropped her off and left before she could get back into the house. She fell in the driveway, injuring her knee further, and couldn't get up. Thankfully, Rosenda’s son, who works during the day, had decided to check on her during his lunch break. Though her injury was severe, that unexpected visit saved her from even more serious harm. She was hospitalized and is now residing in a rehabilitation center. The accessibility ramp, the final step of the project, will allow Rosenda to safely return home.
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This situation is a powerful reminder of why our work is so vital. These services are urgent, especially in rural areas, and even one modification can make a life-changing difference.