About Wheelchair Accessible Homes

Making a home wheelchair accessible does not need to cost you thousands. In many cases, a few simple changes can make an otherwise inaccessible home wheelchair-user-friendly. As an occupational therapist, I teach patients every day how to make their homes accessible, from simple changes to fancy adaptation.

Features

A wheelchair-accessible home should include, at a minimum, widened doors that a wheelchair can fit through, a floor surface that is easy to push a wheelchair over, light switches and plugs that can be easily reached by the wheelchair user and an accessible bathroom. Any steps, even small ones, should be converted to ramps both inside and outside the home. These adaptations can be made to most homes for minimal money, time and labor.

Considerations

While things like ramps and widened doorways are essential to a wheelchair-friendly home, there are many other points to consider. For instance, does the wheelchair user like to go outside? Does he need assistance getting in and out of bed? Will he be taking showers? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, an accessible home should also include such features as widened outdoor walkways, an overhead lift system or a roll-in shower with a detachable nozzle.

Significance

Because wheelchair users can have a wide range of abilities, an accessible home can include anything from "just the essentials" to fancier upgrades. If money is no object, wheelchair-friendly homes can include such things as adjustable-height countertops, environmental control units and even elevators for a multilevel home. However, not all upgrades cost a lot of money. An inexpensive upgrade every wheelchair user should consider is the addition of plastic runners to the walls, doors and corners to avoid permanent damage from wheels.

Misconceptions

Don't think you have to spend a ton of money to make your home wheelchair accessible. In truth, a few minor changes can make all the difference, even on a budget. For instance, a wall-hung sink or a table raised up on blocks allows room for a wheelchair to push underneath. Lengthening pull cords on ceiling fans or blinds makes them operable from a lower height. Removing a door from its hinges gives a wheelchair an extra inch to pass through. Even rearranging furniture can allow more space for a wheelchair to pass through, making the difference between an accessible room and one that is off limits.

Expert Insight

In addition to the basics mentioned here, some of the key things often overlooked by new wheelchair users are the width of the pathway leading to the door, the location of commonly used items such as glassware or plates and the presence of a second accessible exit in case of emergency. Making a home wheelchair accessible involves more than just adding a ramp; it involves making sure the person can complete her daily routine as independently as possible.