VGM Builds All-accessible Home at Heartland Conference

As part of last week’s 2010 VGM Heartland Conference, which attracted more than 900 attendees, manufacturers, speakers, media and friends of the industry, VGM built a 1,500 square-foot all-accessible home in a parking lot across from Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in downtown Waterloo.

The project was a collaboration among VGM’s newest division, Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA), headed by Jerry Keiderling; former mayor John Rooff’s company, Rooff Development; and All American Homes of Dyersville.

The Heartland Home for Independent Living was fully furnished and included the latest accessibility products from AHIA vendors. From the exterior, the home looked like any other, although upon close examination, there were zero-threshold entrances, no steps, and egress doors are prevalent so a person with limited mobility can exit the home in the event of a fire, for example. Also, electrical outlets were placed at 18 inches, most countertops at 29 inches, and the bathroom featured a walk-in tub and a zero-clearance shower.

 Keiderling was instrumental in the home’s interior design features: “We are proud to show both Heartland attendees and metro area citizens what can be done to help aging Americans and those with disabilities to live as independently as possible in their own homes,” he said.

Now that the even is over, the home will be de-constructed and moved to a foundation by Rooff.

Heartland Conference keynote speaker Bill Klein, businessman and co-star of The Learning Channel’s “The Little Couple,” cuts the ribbon on VGM’s accessible home.

One of the home’s ramps in use.

Power adjustable cabinets make the kitchen more accessible.

An accessible bedroom with a designer look.

The home featured various bath safety and accessibility products.