What is a wiki anyway?

A wiki is essentially a website that many people can add to! Wikipedia (2009), the most well-known wiki, defines it as: "a page or collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content".  Watch this three minute video for an explanation of wikis in plain english!

Who is it for?  

This wiki can be accessed by anyone around the world. Feel free to check it out, make comments, or add information no matter where you're from! However, this wiki was designed to target clients, families, therapists, and contractors in Alberta, Canada. The information found on this wiki will be most pertinent to those living in this area.

Why would I use it? 

If you are planning on doing home modifications or advising someone on home modifications, this wiki could be helpful to you. This is a place to get started and find resources. It is a place where people can share ideas of what went well and what didn't go well. 

There may be an event, such as a stroke, that may have a significant impact on one's functional abilities.  As a result, this event changes the way we live. Doing home modifications is one thing that we can change - it can help make our homes more accessible. Click here to find out how to edit the wiki. 

What is accessibility?  

The first definition in the Oxford dictionary states that accessibility is "a way in, a means of approaching or entering". But, the second definition states that accessibility is "the right or opportunity of reaching or using" (Oxford Dictionary, 1994). Gingras (2003) suggests that accessibility is about both physical access (first definition) and psychological access (second definition). Psychological access would include thoughts such as, "am I welcome here in this space?" 

It is important to keep this in mind when starting home modifications or advising someone on home modifications. Accessibility is both physical and psychological. If this interests you, look up some information on Universal Design in the Resources section of this, you might enjoy what it has to say!

Why was this Wiki developed? 

A home modification resource was originally conceived by staff from the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital as a response to situation where many patients at Glenrose are ready for discharge, but unable to go home because of an unsuitable or inaccessible home.  After some initial research and in consultation with the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Alberta Health Services Home Care (Edmonton Zone) and SAGE (Seniors Assocaition of Greater Edmonton), it became apparent that there is no system that coordinates home modification information. In 2007, we convened focus groups involving clients and families, health professionals, managers and home design and modification service providers.  This resulted in a resource binder on home accessibility, funding sources, design guidelines, standards and concepts and exemplars of universal design and visitability.  The distribution and updating of these resources posed a challenge. 

Because such information evolves regularly and builds on personal and professional experiences a print based resource would be inadequate.  A Home Modification/Accessibility Steering Committee oversaw the development, funding and launching of the wiki site.  Additional focus groups were held with clients, families, seniors, and health professionals (n=45). Participants addressed wiki's usability (readability, navigation, ability to edit and contribute) and content relevance. 

Participants' experience were positive and they provided constructive suggestions.  Since the wiki was created in January 2009, the site logged 730 unique visitors, 60 regular users and over 1000 visits by April 8, 2009.  As of April 30, 2009, the number of unique visitors increased to 936 and is expected to increase after a media launch in June 2009.  The ultimate success of the homeforlife.info wiki will depend on mass collaboration, i.e., contributions of clients, families, professionals, builders and other service providers.