The ABLE committee* promotes the safety and well-being of residents by recognizing the physical changes experienced by residents due to aging or preexisting conditions, by identifying both obstacles and opportunities throughout the campus, and by collaborating with the Resident Advisory Council (RAC) and the Administration to effect meaningful and sustainable changes related to chemical sensitivity, mobility, low hearing, and low vision. (Contact information for names mentioned below is available in the Riderwood Resident Directory, available at your front desk, or online at MyErickson.)
Upcoming on Thursday May 21 at 10 am in the Chesapeake Room — a video that describes the Assistive Listening Devices that are available in classrooms, Encore, and the Chapel– all are welcome.
WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE!
Chemical Sensitivity
The Chemical Sensitivity Subcommittee seeks to improve accessibility for persons with sensitivity to chemicals at Riderwood Village (RWV). A primary way to improve accessibility is to provide healthy indoor air for all residents and employees in common areas as well as in individual apartments. One in four (25%) of Americans reports sensitivity to chemicals including health problems when exposed to synthetic fragrance. We seek to teach residents how to maintain good indoor air quality within their own apartments and how to accommodate other residents with sensitivity to chemicals by reducing use of products with fragrance, such as personal care products, cleaning products, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets.
Information sheets on Chemical Sensitivity:
- How to have Safer Indoor Air Quality.
- Examples of Fragrance Free Products.
- Why Indoor Air Fresheners are Unhealthy.
- Why Synthetic Fragrances are unhealthy.
Video/Powerpoint presentations:
- “The ABLE Committee presents Indoor Air at Riderwood,” Feb. 27, 2025 (RiderwoodTV)
- “The ABLE Committee presents Housekeeping Cleans with Your Health in Mind.” Jul. 24, 2025. (RiderwoodTV)
- “Sensitivities to Chemicals and How You Can Help,” Presented to Civility Committee. Sept. 2024. (Powerpoint)
Mobility
The mobility subcommittee is focused on making Riderwood buildings and grounds accessible to those who use walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, and scooters or have other mobility issues. We make recommendations to staff and follow up on needed walkway repairs, handicap cut outs, dangerous intersections, and bathroom issues such as toilet heights or stalls which are not wheelchair accessible.
If you find yourself facing a mobility issue or see the need for repairs on common areas — inside or outside–please contact us.
Low Hearing
Hearing loss is common among older people. It is estimated that two-thirds of people over 70 have hearing loss which naturally declines with age. Given that the majority of Riderwood (RWV) residents have hearing loss, ABLE’s hearing subcommittee aims to provide information on how resident’s can improve their hearing — by using hearing aids, captioning (speech to text) phones and TVs, and personal microphones. The subcommittee also works with staff to develop educational programing for residents.
Information Sheets on Hearing
- Captioning (speech to text) on Landlines, cell phones, TVs and PCs
Videos on Hearing Available from Riderwood TV:
- The Hearing Health Initiative Team presents “Hearing Aid 101” (January 29, 2026)
- The Science & Technology Lecture Series presents “From Sounds to Silence: Understanding Hearing & Hearing Loss” (June 5, 2025)
- The Riderwood Health Forum presents “Hearing Loss & Tinnitus Options for Better Hearing” (October 16, 2020)
Low Vision–
The Low-Vision Subcommittee works to improve the readability of printed materials so they are more accessible to low-vision residents.
Brian Koen, Resident Services Coordinator at Lakeside Commons, runs a support group for residents with vision problems. See more information here: Low-Vision Support Group
*ABLE Committee members: Chair: Ann Neale; Chemical Sensitivity Subcommittee chair, Eugene (Tony) Langbehn; Mobility Subcommittee chair, Irene Pierce; Hearing Subcommittee chair, Hannah Spalding; Low-Vision Subcommittee chair, Hannah Spalding. Committee members: Betty Dunkins, Bernard Freiland, Thea Golub, Carol Henderson, Diane Matuszak, Hue Phan, Claudia Smith, Katherine Tippett, Edie Walters, Joy Walton.