Welcome to Amanda’s “Tiny Mansion!”

Discover how thoughtful design and innovative technology merge to create a space that accommodates Amanda Liberman’s needs and embodies luxury and functionality in every corner. From the open-concept layout to the carefully curated amenities, every detail reflects a commitment to inclusivity and comfort.

PEmpowering Independence and Growth:

Our adult, dependent daughter has intellectual, physical, and hearing challenges. Amanda relies on continuing support for all activities of daily living.

This year, we expanded her life skills workshop to increase her adapted living environment and better accommodate her service dog.

This structure on our property is adjacent to our home and was aimed at equipping her with the skills needed to manage some of her disability-related limitations of daily activities, afford her greater independence and self-sufficiency, alleviate her constant reliance on others, and further her in the workforce.

This life skills workshop emulates daily living and functions in a household-type setting, all in a space of just under 400 square feet. Everything is easily accessible, steps away, and at her fingertips.

Real World Application – Managing Daily Life Skills:

The accessory structure is a sensory-friendly space that minimizes sensory overload with a central hub with visual reminders for managing household tasks and schedules.

There is an allocated calendar and whiteboard area to write down important reminders, grocery lists, to-do lists, and appointments. We established designated spaces in different areas of the tiny home to help her learn where things go and make it easier to put things away.

For example, kitchen drawers and utensil holders are set up by category, like cooking utensils, plates/bowls, and silverware. Under-the-sink storage keeps cleaning supplies organized.

All similar items, such as canned goods, pasta, snacks, and drinks, are in the pantry or refrigerator. In the bedroom, clothing is separated by type, like pants, shirts, and underclothing, and there is a separate section for work clothing and shoes.

In the living area, there is a bookcase to organize books and shelves of caddies to organize items, like writing utensils, charging wires, photos, greeting cards, office supplies, etc.

Shelves and caddies organize toiletries in the bathroom, like hair products, soaps, lotions, medicines, and towel racks to hang towels.

There is an assigned cabinet to store laundry detergent and other laundry supplies. Use the washer as a hamper to collect dirty clothes.

In the living room, use caddies/baskets to store games and a specified area for all hearing aid supplies, such as cochlear and hearing aid chargers, dryers, tools, and accessories.

There is even an appointed compartment for easy access and storage for dog toys, a leash, brushes, etc.

All the above help her to learn and maintain organizational skills and create a home environment that is both functional and comfortable.

Ongoing Support:

We use a smart hub device that allows us to “drop in” for instant, hands-free, visual communication and, potentially, safety checks or passive monitoring that can reassure us. Outdoor cameras were installed at door openings for safety and peace of mind.

Adaptive/Accessibility:

Amanda has difficulty with coordination, weak leg/core muscles, and stiffness in her knees and hips, which make it hard to generate the force needed to push off and rise from a lower bed to stand up, so we chose a higher than standard bed to reduce the risk of falls or injuries.

A power recliner and a power sofa operate with simple button presses, eliminating the need for physical exertion to adjust the positions.

These are particularly helpful for weak arms that struggle to push or pull levers. Multiple charging stations were installed for an iPhone, iPad, laptop, and camera.

The home is equipped with an assistive technology hub that turns lights on and off for alarms and alerts and turns on lights as visual reminders.

The home has five electronic shades that eliminate the need to manipulate cords physically. This reduces the risk of falls or injuries and allows for easy adjustment, which can be difficult for people with limited strength and dexterity. Their ease of use offers a significant improvement in independence and safety.

(see video tour on pages 18-19)

Tailored Environment – Key Focus on Hearing:

During construction, all walls, ceiling, and floor were spray-foamed for soundproofing. This type of insulation reduces sound transmission between rooms and from outside noise to create a quieter environment and improve speech clarity for people with hearing loss.

In addition, it helps maintain consistent temperatures, reduce drafts, and minimize noise caused by the heating and cooling system turning on and off frequently.

The home was also constructed with impact-resistant glass to create a quieter environment. The installed split-unit AC/heating system operates with only 27 decibels output for ultra-quiet operation. (Generally, units below 50 dB are considered quiet, while below 40 dB are very quiet).

The television is equipped with a sound bar for higher volume to make it easier to hear dialogue and other important audio elements.

It features dialogue enhancement technology, which amplifies speech frequencies while lowering background noise, making voices stand out and easier to understand.

The sound bar also reduces listening fatigue when trying to understand speech by providing clear, crisp audio, reducing the effort needed to listen and follow conversations.

It also features wireless connectivity, allowing her to connect and stream directly to her hearing aid. The smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are equipped with strobe lights and an audible alarm.

Once activated, it will send us immediate notifications via the One Link smartphone app.

What’s Next:

Our next step is to allow Amanda to receive and send mailings. We want to get permission from the county to establish a mailbox exclusively for her. She would like to receive and send her mail like any other adult.

Receiving and sending mail is a fundamental part of independent living and self-determination. It would allow her to begin learning to manage her finances, access information, maintain relationships, and participate in civic life separately from us.

Amanda believes she should have the same choices and control over her life as anyone else. We want to provide her with as many choices as possible.

Summary:

We wanted to share our recent enhancement to Amanda’s life skills workshop. The newly expanded structure adjacent to our home provides her with an even more tailored and empowering environment to foster her independence and growth.

This spacious area, meticulously designed under 400 square feet, is filled with organizational amenities to support Amanda in managing daily tasks effectively.

From kitchen utensils categorized by type to designated areas for clothing and work supplies, every detail enhances her daily living experience and skill development.

Moreover, ongoing technological support, such as smart hub devices and adaptive furniture, ensures Amanda’s safety and comfort, contributing to a more accessible and inclusive environment.

Looking ahead, we are excited about Amanda’s next milestone – gaining the ability to send and receive mail independently.

We are in the process of seeking county permission to provide her with this essential step towards self-sufficiency.

ALL PHOTOS BY: SMDAVIS.SPACE

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This post originally appeared on our May/June 2024 Magazine