Harmar Stair Lifts- Made in USA

Any home can be accessible. Harmar Pinnacle Stair lifts are made in the USA, guaranteeing high quality! Call us today to learn more about stair lifts at (734)414-9525 and check out the Stair lift section of our website here.

Virtual Reality and Accessiblity

Have you heard of Virtual Reality?

The most common access to Virtual Reality is the Samsung Galaxy Gear. This kit consists of a headset that you put your Samsung phone in (shown in video below) and then put that head piece on. This form of technology has the ability to take you anywhere in or out of this world, using the Samsung phone screen. 

My first experience with Virtual Reality, or VR, was this Samsung. It is almost like putting on  goggles that give you a 360 degree view of any image or video the phone is displaying. 

When I put on the VR Gear, I saw a video of a National Forrest. It was incredible, I felt like I was really there. I was amazed that I could go anywhere I wanted with this VR, which meant that anyone else can too. Even someone in a wheelchair or someone who is bed bound. It was like a light bulb turned on in my brain. And I was not alone!

Watch the video below from USA Today, where Tim learns about VR and tries it out!

My favorite quote from Tim was, 

" Everywhere is Accessible! "

That's the beauty of this technology. It is accessible and makes everything accessible! 

I hope that the VR experience shows Tim that he can do all the things he dreams of doing. To learn more about Tim and how you can help, go to his GoFundme page.

What do you think about Virtual Reality? Do you have experience with it?

Let us know in a comment below!

From bathtub to Roll-in shower

The BFA,LLC. team is currently working on a Roll in shower for a client. Take a look at the progress our team has made already.

After demolition, the crew has a blank slate, where they work their construction magic!

What do you think about this shower?

Want your bathroom to look like this? 

Call us today to learn more about Roll-in Showers at 734-414-9525 or feel free to contact us via email.

Do you know American Sign Language?

Watch this video from NPR, that educates others on American Sign Language and its differences.

Did you learn something new? Do you already know ASL and would like to add something?

Let us know by commenting below!

Are you a Disabled Veteran?

BFA LLC. is proud to be on the Department of Veteran Affairs Contractor List for the State of Michigan. We have worked with disabled Veteran clients, whom have received Housing Grants from the VA. The purpose of the Housing grants are to enhance disabled Veterans quality of life by providing a safe, barrier free home, where they can live as independently as they can.

Through our experience, many of our Veteran clients have no knowledge that they have these grants available to them. And, much to our surprise, we found it difficult to find detailed explanations of their options. Thankfully, we found a document from Julian Gray Associates , where Cindy S. Alvear,  clearly explained the grants available and the specifications to qualify for them.

The VA offers a few different Housing Grants:

Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH)

• Veteran may receive up to $67,555 for accessible home modifications.
• Veteran is only qualified if they were permanently disabled during service.
• Click here for details.

Special Home Adaptation Grant

• Veteran may receive up to $13,511 for any accessible home modifications.
• Veterans qualify if permanently and totally disabled as a resulf of Military service.
• Click here for details.

Click here for more information on SAH and SHA grants from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Home Improvement and Structural Assistance (HISA)

• Veteran may receive $2,000 to $6,800 for accessible home modifications.
• Veterans qualify if disabled as a result of service related or non service related conditions.
• Requires a perscription from VA facility or physician.
• " A HISA grant is available to veterans who have received a medical determination indicating that improvements and structural alterations are necessary or appropriate for the effective and economical treatment of a disability. The HISA program does not cover major modifications that are generally covered by the SAH grant program. For instance, handrails installed in showers are covered under HISA, while widening a bathroom doorway is not. A veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant or a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant."
• Click here for more details.

Are you wondering if you qualify? Do you know where or how to get started?

If you are asking yourself these overwhelming question, contact the BFA LLC. team today!    We have contacts at the Department of Veteran Affairs that we can directly connect you to. Don't wait any longer.

Ask for Gwen, mention this article and receive a 10% Discount! Call 734-414-9525

**Discount Expires on 11/13/2017**

Water Therapy?

Sofia and her PT Christie, enjoying therapy in the pool.

I recently came across a nonprofit organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of kids with Autism and their families. And, well, that is right up our alley! 

Izzy, a pro-surfer and father of two, found out his son, Isaiah, had Autism at the age of three. After a rough day and no one being able to reach Isaiah, Izzy took him on the surf board with him in hopes that the waves would help Isaiah in the way they help him. The waves did exactly that, so he started his non profit, Surfers Healing, a surf camp for kids with Autism and their families.

Besides relating to the passion for enhancing the quality of lives of people with disabilities and their families, I could also relate to seeing the water, especially the ocean, be therapeutic for Sofia. As many of  you know, Sofia is the inspiration to our families business. Just like Izzy, Luis and Gwendolyne knew that there were other families dealing with the same difficulties and wanted to a resource to them. 

Sofia and Gwendolyne on the beach in Turks and Caico.

Sofia loves Adventure, so our family cruise to the Caribbean was her cup of tea! Did I mention she loves being in the water? I have never seen her be in a bad mood when she is in the water, even in the shower. Her favorite part of summer is going to PT in the pool. So, of course we had to take her to the beach. After figuring out a way to take her to the shore, in her wheelchair, and successfully complete it, she was finally in the water. Sofia radiated pure joy. You could tell her body was relaxed, her muscles didn't hurt and she was in paradise. Literally!

The point I am trying to make, is that I am finding more and more people in the disability community, find relief and a sense of calm in the water. Have you tried  any kind of water therapy? What is your experience with your loved one with disabilities and the water? 

Let us know in a comment below.

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