Description
Ever wondered what it takes to make a house wheelchair accessible? The infographic below shows some really good guidelines that one can use in and around the house to make sure a person in a wheelchair gets to move around freely, has easy access to objects in different parts of the house, and can go around doing their day to day activities worry free.
Bedroom
- Phone/alert system near bed
- Overhang lift/manual trapeze to get in/out of bed
Bathroom
- Phone/alert system near toilet & shower
- Bath tub lift (13”-30” bottom)
- Commode lift
- Grab bars next to toilet
- Grab bars in tub & shower with 36” clearance
Exterior
- Vertical platform lift for higher outdoor staircases
- All-weather, outdoor stair lift
- Portable ramp (front entrance)
Kitchen
- Wheelchair-accessible countertop & cabinet height.
- Table: 27” floor-to-table height & 30” x 48” seat spacing
- Door (minimum 32” width)
Garage
- Garage entry/interior door ramp for safe, quick car access
- Wheelchair accessible floor area for easy car loading/unloading
- Entry door (minimum 32” width)
Basement
- A stair lift for easy basement access to washer, dryer, pantries, etc.
Accessibility Tips
1. Clear PathwaysInterior/exterior pathways should have accommodating widths for:
- Mobility scooters
- Rollators
- Power wheelchairs
- Standard wheelchairs
Standard Widths
- 36” for hallways
- 32” for doorways
- Minimum clearance for 180 degree turns: 36” in all directions
2. Lighting
- All rooms should be well-lit during evening, nighttime, and early morning.
- Lighting controls should be easy to access and use.
3. Security
- Phones & alert systems should be installed throughout the home for quick, easy access
- A reliable security or alarm system should be installed to protect you & your home
Sources:
http://www.wilmington.va.gov/services/hisa.asp
http://www.adaptiveaccess.com/home_changes.php
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/remodeling/how-to-make-your-home-handicap-accessible.htm
https://lifecenter.ric.org/index.php?tray=content&cid=2246
http://www.ada.gov/racheck.pdf
Infographic Source: KD Smart Chair
Source: Assistive Technology Blog
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