Real Life Renos : The Podcast

Often built in a hurry and usually an eyesore, ramps are the subject of my conversation with Ron Wickman. We'll talk about why the entry to the home needs to be given more thought, how to blend ramps in with your exterior and we'll suggest alternatives to that front yard monstrosity.

I haven't done a specific video or podcast on the very basic question of the why behind the need for all of us to think about our future in terms of access within our own homes. I'm going to talk about that today, and then I'm going to talk about the most basic action. Starting. Where do we start and how do we start?

Ron Wickman and I have lots of things on our individual lists of hopes, dreams and wishes for accessibility in 2024. Join us as we discuss the top three on each list.

Architect Ron Wickman and Contractor John Kupchenko both specialize in accessibility. They join us to discuss some of the ins and outs of building accessible homes.

As an Aging in Place and Accessibility Strategist, I am frequently asked questions by those who aren't sure where to start with planning for the years ahead. The questions vary but 6 of them are frequent flyer questions so this episode answers those 6 for everyone.

Izzy Camilleri is a world-renowned Canadian fashion designer who turned her creative talent and energy to adaptive and inclusive clothing in 2004. Izzy believes that people of all ages and abilities should have access to clothing that is well-fitting and great looking in addition to being functional.

Planning for future needs is, perhaps, nowhere more important than the bathroom. Today Ron Wickman, an Architect who specializes in barrier-free design, and I discuss building a new bathroom as well as renovating an existing bathroom. We talk about challenges, language, styles, and yes, pricing.

Our series with Architect Ron Wickman continues with a dive into making vertical movement within a house accessible.

We continue our series on accessible housing with a deep dive into making the entry to a house accessible.

You want to buy a house but you already know that anything you buy will need renovations to accommodate your needs. Ron takes us through the first blush of assessing homes.

Ron Wickman, an Architect specializing in barrier-free design, joins us for the first of a series on accessible housing. Today we review the history of accessibility in the residential space.

Spring is coming and with it comes the need to make sure that independence, safety and dignity can be maintained throughout the spring and summer seasons. Join us to review the 'honey do' list.

Diane has a Master of Arts in Leadership and has put that to good use working in government administration at the municipal and provincial levels before accepting her current position as President, CNIB Guide Dogs and VP, International Affairs also for the CNIB. Her role involves national and international advocacy, a responsibility she has undertaken on behalf of other organizations as well. Diane’s appetite for adventures that few of us would undertake is what caught my eye. To say she is a daredevil is something of an understatement! Diane has rappelled down the side of a 29-story building, skydived and driven a race car.  She is passionate about exercise and in 2017 completed the Ironman Mont Tremblant. It will not shock our listeners to hear that Diane is the recipient of numerous awards for advocacy, excellence and leadership and not surprisingly, that she is a motivational speaker. What may come as a surprise is that Diane is blind, a process that began when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of five. By the age of 10 she was legally blind and in her 30’s she lost all sight. Diane occasionally consults with accessibility architect Ron Wickman on his projects. Designing buildings for accessibility often focuses on wheelchair access however Diane’s advocacy for the blind has proven useful in Ron’s work by allowing him to integrate design that meets the needs of those with diminished or no sight and that is the subject of our conversation today.

Ron Wickman was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He graduated from the Technical University of Nova Scotia with a master of architecture degree. Like many in professional fields, Ron specializes, and his interest was very clear in his master's thesis, which was entitled Beyond the Ramp. It has since been published and is available through his website now. I ordered a copy of it and I was just so mesmerized by it. I found it very thought-provoking because it not only identifies the problems, but it helps us understand the process that went into finding solutions.

Are you a glass half full or glass half empty kind of person? As we dive into the holiday season, not to mention winter, it matters.

Tread matters! It will keep you on your feet or fail to prevent you from falling. Falling can often be a serious thing for older adults so check that tread.

We all need people to support us but not everyone can identify who that might be.

Are you a grandparent? I need your advice.

It's time to make a list and check it twice! Let us help with suggestions for older adults.