[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/nyc-moving-tips-for-people-with-disabilities\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/nyc-moving-tips-for-people-with-disabilities\/","headline":"How to Move with People Who Have Disabilities","name":"How to Move with People Who Have Disabilities","description":"Moving is complicated for almost everybody because it requires a lot of hard work, packing, and planning, but […]","datePublished":"2024-02-15","dateModified":"2026-04-03","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NYC-Moving-Tips-for-People-with-Disabilities.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NYC-Moving-Tips-for-People-with-Disabilities.jpg","height":685,"width":1315},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/nyc-moving-tips-for-people-with-disabilities\/","about":["City Living Lifestyle","Moving Tips","Specific Post"],"wordCount":1987,"keywords":["Accessible Housing","Accessible Moving Tips","Addressing Accessibility Needs","Auditory disabilities","Detailed Inventory","Disability Resources NYC","Mobility Assistance","Moving Checklist","Moving Costs","moving process","moving strategy","Moving with Disabilities","NYC Movers","NYC moving companies","professional movers","Rebuild Together NYC","Visual disabilities"],"articleBody":"Moving is complicated for almost everybody because it requires a lot of hard work, packing, and planning, but there are extra considerations that disabled people need to consider on top of the standard process. Hiring professional NYC movers can certainly help with the physical task of moving, but you still need to coordinate the move and ensure your new place meets your accessibility needs.Luckily, with good planning and preparation, you can make your NYC relocation a lot smoother. Below are some tips to help you during the moving process.Plan AheadSo long as you don\u2019t have to make a last-minute move, chances are you know when your lease expires, so your move date shouldn\u2019t be a surprise. You should ideally start planning your move at least a month in advance, if not more.Start by creating a moving checklist to figure out the tasks that you need to get done. That includes tasks associated with your disability. Make sure to set aside enough time to have everything done by moving day. For example, if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration to let them know about your move. If you\u2019re staying local, all you need to do is change your address. If you\u2019re moving to a new state, you will have to check if there are any changes to your benefits. Do you take medication? Make sure to refill your prescriptions before you move. Moving Assistance Grants & Aid ProgramsProgram NameType of AssistanceEligibilityApplication DurationContact \/ WebsiteRebuild Together NYCHome adaptations (ramps, lifts, stair glides, handrails)NYC residents with disabilities, income-based4\u20138 weekshttps:\/\/rebuildtogethernyc.orgAdele Friedman Housing Accessibility FundDwelling modifications for accessibility (ramps, lifts, handrails)Income \u2264 165% NY State median, disabled residents6\u201312 weekshttps:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/assets\/hpd\/downloads\/pdfs\/services\/housing-accessibility-fund.pdfHRA Moving Assistance GrantPartial or full coverage for licensed moving servicesDisabled or low-income NYC residents, proof of new address4\u20136 weekshttps:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/hraHUD Housing & Relocation AssistanceRelocation grants, housing adaptation supportIncome-based, federal eligibility requirements8\u201312 weekshttps:\/\/www.hud.gov\/topics\/housing_discrimination You should also see if there are specific services that can help with your move. NYC has a few resources available for disabled people to use, including:Rebuild Together NYC – their housing preservation program supports eligible New Yorkers to adapt their homes to be more accessible by adding wheelchair ramps and lifts, stair glides, handrails, grab bars, and more.\u00a0Adele Friedman Housing Accessibility Fund – similar to Rebuild Together, you can request physical modifications to a dwelling, building, or complex that you reside in for modifications related to your disability. You will need to have an income at or below 165% of % New York State median income.HRA – the NYC Human Resources Administration department provides grants to disabled and low-income individuals to pay for some or all of the cost for licensed moving companies. You will need to provide proof of the new address as well as your income.You can also apply to a federal aid program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is primarily a resource for housing and relocation assistance grants and awards are based on income.Finding and applying to different grants takes quite a long time, so you should start as early as possible. Once you\u2019ve submitted everything, you can go back to focusing on other moving tasks, like deciding what items you will leave behind and what you\u2019ll take with you.Keep a Detailed InventoryOnce you\u2019ve decluttered your house, spend time every day entering all the items you will be taking with you into a spreadsheet. It might be tedious, but it\u2019s an important step in the moving process for a few reasons:Movers will be able to provide a more accurate estimateIt will help reduce clutter, thus lowering moving costsYou\u2019ll save time during packing and unpacking since you can easily plan and organize which items to pack togetherYou can keep track of everything you own and see if any boxes or items are missing when you move into your new placeCreating an inventory list doesn\u2019t have to be daunting. If approached with a systematic process, it can be a straightforward process. The first thing you should do is to structure the inventory by room or category, whichever one is easiest for you. For example, you can list all of your kitchen items on one sheet and clothes on another. Or maybe you\u2019ll create separate sheets for each room and further break it down into categories. Inventory Checklist for Moving with DisabilitiesItem CategoryDescription & ConditionQuantityEstimated Value ($)Receipt\/WarrantyBox LabelDestination RoomKitchenNon-stick pots & pans, good condition5150YesK-1KitchenBedroomQueen bed frame, minor scratches1300NoB-1Master BedroomElectronicsFlat-screen TV, excellent condition1500YesE-1Living RoomOfficeLaptop, working perfectly1800YesO-1OfficeLiving RoomSofa, minor wear1400NoLR-1Living Room Either way, the next thing you want to do is pick a room and start making a list of everything inside. That includes all of the little things like accessories, office supplies, etc. When creating this list, try to include as much detail as possible, such as:Description of the item and current conditionMake, model, and serial number if applicableCurrent estimated value of the itemQuantityReceipt and warrantyLabel of the boxThe room where the item is locatedThe room where the item needs to be moved toMake sure to highlight any high-value items like cameras, computers, fine china, jewelry, and so on. Once you\u2019ve finished one room, continue to the next until you have cataloged all the rooms.If possible, take pictures or videos of your items. While this is optional, it\u2019s a good idea to at least do this for your fragile and\/or expensive items. Make sure to follow a naming convention for the files so you can easily identify them. The photos can be used as proof that the fragile items were damaged in transit, which can help when filing insurance claims.Hire Professional NYC MoversHiring reputable movers is incredibly important, regardless of whether you are disabled or not. A good moving company will be able to offer personalized moving plans to fit your needs. On top of that, many will have staff trained in accessibility and disability awareness. Your best bet is to do a bit of research beforehand to find a company that already has experience providing specialized moving services for disabled people. Once you have found a few, make sure to ask the following questions:Do they offer any financing or discount options? Ask about payment requirements, discounts, specials, etc. If you\u2019re planning on using the HRA moving assistance grant, make sure they are a licensed HRA mover.Do they have experience working with people with disabilities? See what their experience is in accommodating certain needs.Do they offer packing and unpacking services? This is a great option as it is both a time and energy saver. With that said, it will increase your overall moving costs.Can they handle the moving of mobility assistance items? Find out whether they have the appropriate equipment, like wheelchair lifts and hoisting systems for careful transportation of medical devices, large instruments, and electronics.If you need other accommodations, make sure to let the company know ahead of time! And don\u2019t forget to figure out your own transportation. The movers don\u2019t allow customers in the truck, so you\u2019ll have to think about whether you\u2019ll take a train or a taxi to your new home.Make sure to contact multiple companies so you can receive different estimates. The more you get, the better idea you will have for the price of the move, but aim for at least three estimates. Also, make sure to read the moving contract carefully for any hidden fees.Address Accessibility NeedsDon\u2019t skip this part! Having a well-planned and accessible moving strategy is important to make the process more manageable. Whether it\u2019s packing up your belongings or setting up your new home, it\u2019s important to create an environment that maximizes your safety and mobility.Moving DisabilitiesWhether you use a cane or a wheelchair, your first order of business is to make sure your devices can easily move around through the doorways and rooms. That means keeping paths clear of obstacles and making sure there\u2019s enough space between furniture to easily get around. If the new space is a bit small, you might have to purchase smaller devices to get around. Accessibility Needs ChecklistDisability TypeTools \/ Devices NeededPacking RequirementsSetup in New HomeNotes \/ RemindersMobility (Wheelchair \/ Cane)Wheelchair, Walker, Cane, RampsDisassemble large items if needed, label carefullyEnsure clear paths, wide doorways, and place rampsMeasure doors beforehand, check elevator accessAuditory (Hearing Impairment)Hearing aids, portable amplifiers, and visual alert devicesKeep essentials in an easy-to-access bag, label boxesSet up visual alerts for alarms and doorbellsInform movers of preferred communication (text\/email)Visual (Low Vision \/ Blind)White cane, magnifiers, and a braille label makerUse braille or large-print labels, keep essential items separateArrange furniture as per the placement map, keep walkways clearHave someone assist with reading contracts\/paperworkCognitive \/ LearningChecklists, labels, reminders, and apps for schedulingPack in categories, label boxes clearlyOrganize items in logical order, use visual cuesKeep a moving buddy or support person for guidance Auditory DisabilitiesIt should go without saying, but make sure to pack your hearing essentials in an easy-to-access bag so you can have them available during the move. This will help maintain effective communication throughout the moving process. If you cannot rely on hearing devices, make sure to let the moving company you are working with know how you plan on communicating with them. This could be via text (email and\/or text) or an interpreter.Visual DisabilitiesIf you have low vision, you might struggle to read and handle paperwork. As always, make sure the movers are aware of the issue and request things like larger print contracts so you can read more easily or have someone with you to read the contract instead. If the movers are packing for you, ask them if they have a braille label maker so you can identify and organize your boxes.Once you\u2019ve moved into your new place, make sure you already have a placement map for your furniture so the movers can arrange it accordingly.Moving with a DisabilityThe moving process is already stressful, but disabilities can make the tasks even harder. With the help of reputable NYC moving companies, moves can be simpler and more straightforward. Your best bet is to start the process as soon as possible to avoid last-minute stress, and don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help!FAQ                    \t\t\t\tWhat is the first thing I should do when I move into my new apartment?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tThere are a lot of things to do, but one of the first things you should do is map out your new apartment and check for hazards like ledges and stairs, surfaces that might get slippery when wet, low ceilings, and other obstacles.                                                        \t\t                    \t\t\t\tHow accessible are NYC subways?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tAround 30% of subway stations are accessible to some extent. If your old or new apartment is not near an accessible station then you should call Uber. If you\u2019re in a wheelchair, you will need to request a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.                                                        \t\t                    \t\t\t\tWhat other steps should I take?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tThere are a lot of little tasks you need to do before you move, but the most important one is to locate a healthcare service near you in case of emergency.                                                        \t\t    {\t\t\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\t\t\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\t\t\"mainEntity\": [\t\t\t\t{\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"What is the first thing I should do when I move into my new apartment?\",\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"There are a lot of things to do, but one of the first things you should do is map out your new apartment and check for hazards like ledges and stairs, surfaces that might get slippery when wet, low ceilings, and other obstacles.\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\t\t\t}\t\t\t,\t\t\t\t{\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"How accessible are NYC subways?\",\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"Around 30% of subway stations are accessible to some extent. 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