Moving Tips For People With Disabilities

Moving isn’t easy for anyone, but add the stressor of a disability, and it can feel overwhelming. But are there things you can do to make it easier? Absolutely! Take care of the planning upfront, and you will most likely find that it is not as terrible as you thought.

Apply for Financial Assistance

One of the major obstacles in relocating for anyone is the financial burden, but according to Pocket Sense, there are plenty of programs available to ease the burden of people with disabilities. One of the places you can find valuable resources is the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability.

Find Your Future Home

Finding a new home can be a daunting task, but there is help available. In addition to the many financial programs available, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers housing counseling to help with all the ins and outs of the home-buying process. But aside from understanding the legal and financial terms of the process, you will also have special things to consider in a new property, such as accessibility, healthcare provider location, and any other specific needs you may have for your particular situation.

Organize Your Healthcare

Before you even make the decision to move, you will need to make sure that you have all of your healthcare pre-arranged. Ask your physicians ahead of time for referrals, find the locations of the nearest healthcare facilities, and collect all the important contact information you will need and put it in an easy-to-find location. Also, make sure you visit your healthcare providers before your move to have any prescriptions filled that you might need over the next several weeks.

Hire a Capable Packing and Moving Service

There are several things you need to consider when hiring a moving company to pack and move your belongings. For one thing, you should get references from friends and family when you can. You should also check with them about their insurance policy, avoid paying large deposits, and make sure you get a walk-through estimate upfront. Certainly take a few moments to compare prices.

Pack Smart

Hiring a moving service isn’t the only measure you should take when packing up your belongings. In order to make things as easy for you as possible, there are some things you should take care of yourself. For example, The Spruce says that each member of the family should have an “essential box.” This box should be placed where it is easy to unpack when you first arrive at your new home. It should contain toiletries, medication, physician phone numbers, and linens that you will need the first night.

Depending on the size of your new home, you may also want to consider putting some less-essential items in a storage facility. Once you’re settled and organized, you can bring these items into your home if you have the space.

Unpack Smarter

If you have taken the time to label your boxes and organize your packing in a way that makes sense, unpacking them should be a breeze. Just be aware of your limitations and don’t be afraid to enlist the help of friends and family when you arrive. Most importantly, take your time. See that the movers place your boxes in the rooms they belong, and unpack one room at a time at a comfortable pace for you. Remember you will hopefully be in your home for many years to come, so there’s no need to push yourself to get everything done in a day.

Moving to a new home is an exciting experience, but the process can get extremely overwhelming. There are a lot of valuable resources at your disposal as a person with a disability that you shouldn’t be afraid to use. Getting all the facts, information, and packing organized before the move will make for a much smoother transition when the time comes.  

Ashley Taylor is a freelance writer, photographer, and advocate for people with disabilities. She created DisabledParents.org to provide information and resources to other parents with disabilities. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.