Were you aware that approximately 15 percent of the world's population, which equates to roughly one billion individuals, faces some form of disability? While modern homes often incorporate accessibility features, older homes may lack such accommodations. Fortunately, there are simple methods to enhance accessibility and transform your living space into a more handicap-friendly environment.
Pro Tip: While you may be capable of implementing certain adjustments independently, it is always advisable to consult with a professional for tasks like mounting grab bars and other furniture on walls, as well as for any other maintenance projects.
Creating a Handicap-Friendly Home: Key Considerations for Improved Accessibility
When a house is not properly designed, it can present challenges for individuals with disabilities to navigate freely within the premises. Whether you have recently acquired a disability, plan to age in place, or simply wish to cultivate a more handicap-friendly home, the following questions will assist you in assessing the accessibility and safety of your residence:
- Are the exterior walkways and entrances well-lit and free from tripping hazards?
- Is there at least one entrance to the home that does not involve navigating steps?
- Do the exterior doors have adequate lighting to ensure visibility?
- If the home encompasses multiple stories, does the ground floor include a bedroom, full bathroom, and kitchen to facilitate easy movement within the home?
- Are the staircases well-lit and equipped with handrails on both sides, as well as light switches at the top and bottom?
- Are cabinets and shelves easily reachable and accessible for individuals with limited mobility?
- Does the kitchen provide a work surface that can be utilized while seated?
- Is there a fire extinguisher within reach of the stove and/or oven in case of emergencies?
- Are area rugs secured to the floor or equipped with non-slip grips to prevent falls?
- Are there smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of the home, emitting a sound loud enough to be heard in all bedrooms?
- Could implementing these changes increase the value of the home?
Thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home and carefully examine each room, bearing these questions in mind. It is crucial to consider the most extreme scenarios when selecting which changes to implement. If you or someone you know has a disability, unforeseen challenges may arise over time, and it is prudent to prepare for such circumstances in advance.
Creating a Handicap-Friendly Home: Exterior Modifications
Commence by addressing the fundamentals: Is your address clearly visible from the street, even in low light or inclement weather? In the event of an emergency, it is crucial for first responders to easily locate and access your home. Next, scrutinize your driveway and walkways: Are there any obstructions obstructing the path to your front door? Be cautious of cracks or protruding tree roots that may impede individuals using walkers or wheelchairs, potentially causing accidents or injuries.
How to Make Your Home Handicap-Friendly
To enhance accessibility, one or more exterior doors should offer an alternative entrance, such as a flat threshold or a ramp with railings on both sides and landings at the top and bottom. If your home incorporates stairs, installing a ramp is imperative. Moreover, for improved safety and to prevent slips and falls, ramps and pathways should possess a slight texture, reducing water accumulation and increasing traction for individuals wearing shoes, using walkers, or utilizing wheelchairs.
Lastly, augment accessibility by installing motion-light sensors to ensure well-illuminated pathways. Not only will they contribute to energy savings, but they will also serve as an additional layer of security.
Creating a Handicap-Friendly Home: Doors, Hallways, and Stairs
Indoor lighting should also receive adequate attention, particularly in hallways or stairwells. Consider installing light switches at both ends of hallways or at the top and bottom of staircases. Adding a couple of night lights in between can be beneficial as well.
In general, while area rugs or runners may impart color and warmth to your home's interior, they pose significant tripping hazards for individuals living with disabilities. If you insist on having an area rug or runner, ensure it is securely fastened with carpet tape or skid-resistant lining. Never place a runner on the stairs or directly at the top or bottom, as these locations contradict the principles of a disability-conscious home.
When striving to create a more handicap-friendly home, it is crucial to consider your doors. Handles are significantly easier to use than knobs for individuals with limited mobility in their hands and wrists. In high-traffic rooms of your house, you might even contemplate installing power-operated doors. For your front door, ensure that the peephole is at a comfortable height and include a chain that allows you to communicate with visitors without fully opening the door.
Creating a Handicap-Friendly Home: Bathrooms
Bathrooms inherently harbor numerous potential dangers for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate your household's specific requirements. If the toilet is too low to facilitate easy transfers, an elevated seat may be necessary. Certain elevated seat products may come equipped with arms or guard rails for added support.
The bathing area also necessitates attention, considering the additional risk posed by water. To reduce the risk of falls, it is highly advisable to eliminate the need for stepping over ledges. Opting for a shower stall with curtains, roll-in accessibility, grab bars, and a seat is the safest choice, even if you do not utilize a wheelchair.
Ideally, your shower should be equipped with grab bars running the length of the tub, along with an additional one at the opposite end of the drain to facilitate easy transfers. The shower floor should feature a non-slip mat or pads to provide improved traction, while the bath mat outside the shower should possess a non-slip bottom for enhanced safety.
Countertop sinks offer the greatest support and accessibility, rendering them the safest option. If your sink is freestanding, reinforce it with an "L" bracket attached to a wall stud to prevent any danger when leaning on it. Moreover, individuals living with disabilities may experience difficulty viewing themselves in the bathroom mirror from a lower angle. Thus, installing a wall mirror can be a prudent choice.
Creating a Handicap-Friendly Home: Family Room & Bedrooms
Typically, closet rods and shelving are positioned too high for wheelchair users. Enhance accessibility in bedrooms by reinstalling them at an appropriate height for someone using a wheelchair.
To facilitate getting out of bed, consider installing a grab bar near the head of your bed. If you utilize a bedside table for assistance, ensure it is securely mounted to a wall stud. It is also important to have a landline or charging outlet for your mobile phone within reach of your bedside.
Creating a Handicap-Friendly Home: Kitchen
Since the kitchen serves as the heart of the home, it is understandable that making a few updates here is essential when aiming to create a more handicap-friendly environment. In most kitchens, countertops and sinks are not accessible from a seated position. The solution lies in creating leg space underneath the countertops. It is preferable to approach the sink directly, rather than at an angle, to ensure ease of use.
The stove can be particularly hazardous if a home lacks handicap-friendly features. Controls should be located on the front of appliances to avoid reaching across hot burners. Additionally, attaching a removable mirror at an angle to the wall behind the cooktop can enhance visibility. In a handicap-friendly home, at least two feet of heat-resistant countertop space should be provided next to the range, allowing for safe placement of hot utensils.
To improve accessibility, consider revisiting your kitchen organization system. Heavy cooking utensils, dishes, and canned foods should be stored on bottom shelves. Boxes, drinking glasses, small items, and infrequently used items can be placed on top shelves. Installing a Lazy Susan in cabinets or refrigerators can facilitate easier access to items located at the back.
Remember: The Fair Housing Act strictly prohibits discrimination against homebuyers with disabilities. Furthermore, lenders are prohibited from discouraging loan applications based on a disability or altering loan terms and conditions due to a disability.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Since a significant portion of your life is spent within the confines of your house, we firmly believe that everyone deserves a comfortable place to call home. If you have any inquiries regarding creating a more handicap-friendly home, please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Mortgage Advisor. For additional home-buying resources, be sure to explore our blog.
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