Handicap accessible construction is helping improve the
quality of life in the home for people with disabilities. Often times, tragedy
can strike unexpectedly, making it difficult to brace for the immediate changes
that go along with surviving an accident, mishap, or the diagnosis of an
illness or disability. In the past, a person diagnosed with a disability may
have struggled to maintain his or her previous hobbies, routines, and quality
of life. Fortunately, however, adjustments can be made to your new or existing
home to ease the transition of returning to the space you love, providing
comfort, peace of mind, and the ability to still enjoy life at home. Though each individual will have specific
needs, below are a few areas in your home that can be adjusted or renovated to
help reduce the impact of physical limitation.
It All Begins Outside
The ability to enter the home freely, at will, from the
outdoors is the first step to enjoying a home and maintaining one's quality of
life. For those integrating a wheelchair or walker into their lifestyle,
getting from place to place can be difficult or possibly require assistance.
The
construction of
ramps was once a simple add-on to homes; however, more recently, many homes are
being outfitted with elevators at critical points of access. The presence of
these elevators helps eliminate the difficulties that stairs impose, allowing
for greater independence, accessibility, and the ability to enjoy the outdoors
safely.
A Functional and Safe
Interior
The overall layout of a home can make a significant impact
on the convenience and usability of the space. Every functional room in the
house should be accessible by wheelchair. This means that clear paths through
doors and hallways are essential to the accessibility of your home. As
previously noted, stairs can impose many difficulties for those with physical
limitations. As a precaution, it is important that the edges of the stairs are
rounded, while hand rails can be added to offer additional stability. It is
recommended that handrails be on both sides of the stairway, extending beyond
both the first and last stair. Simple adjustments to a home's electrical
workings can also offer more independence. Height adjustments may be necessary
for simple things such as outlets, light switches, and thermostats. Since these
fixtures are constantly used, it is important that they be within reach,
requiring very little effort. Grab bars can also be a welcome addition to any
home, bedroom, or living area. These will help with transfers between standing,
sitting, and lying down.
Accessible Bathrooms
and Kitchens
In the bathroom, a very common change is moving from a
bathtub to a shower, with the shower being accessible by wheelchair. It is
recommended to add a seat to the shower, as well as grab bars to aid in safely transferring
between sitting and standing. Grab bars should also be installed near the
toilet for the same reason. In addition to grab bars, a taller toilet can make
it easier for those with limited mobility to use the washroom. In the kitchen,
cabinets can be adjusted to a more suitable height allowing for better
accessibility and utility.
Of course, every person will have their own specific needs. Your
local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) can help assess your specific needs
in the home. To find a CCAC near you, click
here. Considering adjustments on the
exterior of the house will allow for safe entries and exits, while renovations
or additions on the interior can help with accessibility and utility of the
home. Making your home more
accessible and functional
will help improve the quality of life for those who are limited physically.