Accessible Moving: Guide for People with Disabilities

Finding Accessible Housing in Montreal

Montreal's housing stock presents unique challenges for people with disabilities. The city's beloved walk-up triplexes and duplexes — which make up the majority of the rental market — are often inaccessible to wheelchair users or those with mobility limitations. Finding the right accessible apartment takes more time and research, but options do exist.

Focus your search on newer buildings (post-2000 construction), which are more likely to meet universal design standards: elevators, wide doorways, roll-in showers, and accessible parking. Areas with higher concentrations of newer apartment towers include Griffintown, the Quartier des Spectacles, Brossard's Solar Uniquartier, and parts of Laval. Purpose-built accessible units are also available through OMHM (Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal) and various non-profit housing organizations.

The Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) maintains a registry of adapted housing. The Regroupement des organismes de promotion du Montréal métropolitain can also connect you with accessible housing resources. Be explicit about your accessibility needs when contacting landlords — doorway widths, bathroom configurations, and building entry points all matter.

Planning an Accessible Move

An accessible move starts with thorough communication between you, your support network, and your moving company. Create a detailed accessibility checklist: Can the moving truck park close to the entrance? Is the pathway from truck to apartment obstacle-free? Are there stairs or curbs that need temporary ramps? Will medical equipment (wheelchair, hospital bed, lift) require special handling?

If you use a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter, plan how it will be transported. These items are heavy, expensive, and essential — they should be loaded last and unloaded first. Ensure the moving company understands they must be handled with extreme care and properly secured during transport.

For people with sensory disabilities, the chaos of moving day can be especially overwhelming. Consider having a trusted friend or support worker present to help communicate with movers and manage the environment. Written instructions for the moving crew (labelled boxes, floor plans, special handling notes) reduce the need for verbal back-and-forth.

Adaptive Moving Strategies

Packing can be physically demanding. Adapt the process to your abilities: use smaller, lighter boxes; pack from a seated position if needed; use adaptive gripping tools for tape and scissors; and spread packing over multiple weeks rather than a few intense days. Ask friends, family, or community support workers to help with heavy or high-up items.

Many community organizations in Montreal offer volunteer moving assistance for people with disabilities. Ex Aequo, RAPLIQ, and the CIUSSS community support programs can connect you with volunteers or provide referrals to accessible moving services.

Settling Into Your New Accessible Home

Before moving your belongings in, do a walkthrough of the new space with your specific needs in mind. Verify: doorways are wide enough, light switches and outlets are reachable, bathroom grab bars are properly installed, and the kitchen layout works for your mobility. If modifications are needed, Quebec law requires landlords to allow reasonable accessibility adaptations at the tenant's expense — and some modifications may be funded through RAMQ or SAAQ programs.

Update your address with all medical providers, home care services (CLSC), transport adapté (STM's paratransit service), and any equipment suppliers. If you receive home care through the CIUSSS, notify them well in advance so services can continue without interruption at your new address.