Ten qualifying families on MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. received an early Christmas present on Dec. 18, 2013, when they were presented with newly constructed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) homes. The homes were constructed through a collaboration between MacDill and Clark Realty Capital.

“The new ADA houses are just one way we are able to increase the overall quality of life that our service members deserve.”

The homes were presented to the ten families during an unveiling with members of MacDill’s leadership as well as members of Clark Realty Capital present. “Every military family is extremely important to us and we have to make sure that each base resident has the appropriate level of care,” said Scott DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander. “The new ADA houses are just one way we are able to increase the overall quality of life that our service members deserve,” said DeThomas.

The ADA, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on July 26, 2015, prohibits discrimination and serves as a guarantee that those people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else does. “Being able to live on base, close to everything, and in an ADA home is a blessing,” said Natalie Lee, who is the mother of a disabled child and a resident of the newly opened ADA housing community. “Everyday tasks are much simpler now, it’s a relief,” added Lee.

“This is one of the best holiday gifts our family could ask for our residents and their families.”

The newly constructed ADA homes were built with special needs families in mind. Included in the houses are special design features such as, sliding pocket doors, roll-in showers, widened hallways, removable cabinetry facings, and motion sensor bathroom lighting. “This is one of the best holiday gifts our family could ask for our residents and their families, said Lee. “Knowing that our family has everything they need relieves so much stress and is extremely reassuring,” said Lee.

Besides the 10 ADA homes, the collaboration between MacDill and Clark Realty Capital has resulted in the construction of 327 new homes on 175 acres at MacDill, which serves as the headquarters of both U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The new housing areas created on MacDill have been designed to create a sense of community and foster interaction between neighbors, which can be hard to accomplish given the often transient nature of military families. Amenities that have been built to accomplish that goal include a 6,000 square feet welcome center, a resort style pool, children’s splash pad, multiple playgrounds, as well as basketball and tennis courts.

“We are pleased to mark this project milestone and look forward to continuing our strong and successful partnership with the U.S. Air Force well beyond the initial development period.”

“We are pleased to mark this project milestone and look forward to continuing our strong and successful partnership with the U.S. Air Force well beyond the initial development period,” said Matt Williams, project manager. “We strive to provide the highest quality of life for our residents and their families,” added Williams.

Faircount Media Group, Defense Media Network’s parent company, is publishing The Americans  with Disabilities Act 25th Anniversary: Equal Access, Equal Opportunity.