An Accessibility Checklist to Modify Your Home
Home modifications can improve quality of life, reduce the risk of falls and injuries, and increase independence for people with disabilities and seniors. They can also help caregivers by making care and support more manageable for their loved ones. Adaptions to a living space can make it more accessible, safe, and comfortable for people with mobility limitations. These modifications can range from simple changes like adding grab bars or slip-resistant flooring, to more extensive renovations like widening doorways, installing wheelchair ramps, or creating accessible bathrooms.
Modification can mean many different things and different options are more suited to a specific situation than others. Take a look at possibilities room by room to decide which might be most helpful to your life and limitations.
Outdoor Modifications
The outdoors and entrances to your home are crucial spaces for modification. You need to make sure all residents can get in and out of the house safely and have access to outbuildings.
Garage
• Standard garage doors are typically 9 feet wide by 7 feet high. Widening the doorways to 10 or 12 feet can provide additional clearance for people who use wheelchairs or walkers.
Installations of sensors at the garage doors are essential since some people may not move as fast others. Sensors will ensure that the door won't shut until the area is clear and safe.
Parking Spaces
Accessible parking spaces should be 8 feet wide to accommodate a van with a wheelchair lift or side-entry ramp. Non-van-accessible parking spaces should be at least 7 feet wide.
Walkways and Ramps
Ramps should have a slope of no more than one inch for every 12 inches of length to ensure safe and comfortable access. A gradient of one inch for every 20 inches may be used for short ramps less than 6 feet long.
Ramps should have edge protection, such as a curb or handrail, to prevent wheelchair wheels from slipping off the edge of the ramp.
Landings should be provided at the top and bottom of ramps and where ramps change direction. Docks should be at least 60 inches long and as wide as the ramp leading to them.
Handrails should be provided on both sides of ramps and walkways. Handrails should be between 1.25 and 1.5 inches in diameter and 34 and 38 inches above the ramp or walkway surface.
Doorbells and Mailboxes
A doorbell should be located at a height that can be reached by individuals who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. In addition, a wireless or remote doorbell can be helpful for individuals who have difficulty answering the door.
The mailbox should be located within a reach distance of no more than 24 inches from the front edge of the sidewalk or pathway leading to the mailbox.
Front Door and Entrance Modifications
The front door should be at least 32 inches wide for wheelchair access. A minimum width of 36 inches is recommended to provide additional space for turning and maneuvering.
The threshold should be no higher than 0.5 inches to allow for easy entry and exit for individuals using wheelchairs or mobility devices. A threshold ramp or a flush threshold can be installed to eliminate the height difference.
The door handle should be located at a height that can be easily reached by individuals who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. A lever-style door handle is easier to operate than a doorknob for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity.
The front door should have a full-length sidelight or double peephole for visibility.
Bedroom Modifications
A good night's sleep is essential to our health and well-being. A bedroom should be the most comfortable place in the home. There are many ways to make sure those with limited mobility can have a restful bedroom with no frustrations in moving around.
The bed height should be appropriate for the individual's needs. For individuals using a wheelchair or mobility device, a lower bed height of around 20 to 23 inches can be helpful. For individuals with difficulty getting in and out of bed, a higher bed height of approximately 28 to 30 inches can be beneficial.
A bed rail can be installed to provide support and prevent falls. The rail should be sturdy and installed at a height appropriate for the individual's needs.
A lift system can be installed to assist individuals with limited mobility in and out of bed. The lift system can be manual or electric and should be appropriate for the individual's needs.
Closet
Closet rods should be installed at a height the individual can easily reach, which may require lowering the rod height. A lower closet rod can be helpful for individuals who have limited mobility.
Pull-out shelves can be installed to make it easier for individuals with limited mobility to access their clothing and belongings. These shelves can be pulled out and lowered to a convenient height for easy access.
The closet floor should be slip-resistant and provide a smooth surface for easy mobility. A low-pile carpet or hardwood floor can be helpful.
Bathroom Modifications
The bathroom is among the areas that are prone to accidents. Therefore, bathroom modifications should be prioritized to ensure the safety of our loved ones who have difficulties moving around. These are some of the changes that should be considered for adaptation in the bathroom:
Doors should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility device. The recommended minimum width for a door is 36 inches.
An emergency alarm system should be installed to ensure that individuals with disabilities can call for help if needed.
A roll-in shower allows easy access for individuals using a wheelchair or mobility device. The shower should have grab bars, a shower seat, and a handheld showerhead.
Toilet
Grab bars should be installed near the toilet to support and stabilize individuals with mobility impairments.
An accessible toilet should have a higher seat, grab bars, and ample space to accommodate a wheelchair.
A toilet seat riser can help individuals with mobility impairments to use the toilet more easily.
Sink
The sink should be no higher than 34 inches from the floor, and the recommended height is between 28 and 34 inches. The depth of the sink should also be at most 6 1/2 inches to provide adequate knee clearance.
Lever handles should be installed for hot and cold water faucets, with a clearance of at least 2 1/2 inches between the handle and the backsplash. In addition, the handles should be not more than 48 inches above the floor.
A soap dispenser should be installed within reach of the sink user, with a height of no more than 48 inches above the floor.
Shower
A shower seat can provide a place to sit while showering, making it easier for individuals with limited mobility or balance issues to use the shower.
The shower floor should be slip-resistant to prevent falls and slips.
Shower controls should be installed no higher than 48 inches above the floor to make them accessible for individuals who use a wheelchair.
Bathtub
A bathtub lift should be able to lower an individual in and out of the bathtub safely and comfortably. The lift should support a weight of at least 300 pounds, and the seat should be 17 inches wide and 14 inches deep.
Grab bars should be installed on the wall next to the bathtub, with a height of no more than 48 inches above the floor. The grab bars should be at least 1 1/4 inches in diameter, and there should be a clearance of at least 1 1/2 inches between the grab bar and the wall.
The bathtub height should be lowered to make it easier for individuals who use a wheelchair to transfer in and out of the tub. The recommended height is no more than 17 inches from the floor.
Kitchen Modifications
It's possible for many people of varying abilities to cook and get full use out of their kitchen to make healthy and comforting meals. A few modifications will accommodate people of all kinds of abilities.
Cabinets
The height of the cabinets should be lowered to make it easier for individuals who use a wheelchair or have limited reach to access the contents. The recommended size is at most, 54 inches above the floor.
Pull-out shelves or drawers can be added to lower cabinets to make it easier for individuals to reach items at the back of the cabinet. The frames should extend fully out of the cabinet, and the weight capacity should be at least 100 pounds.
Cabinet handles should be easy to grasp and pull, sized at least 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Handles with a loop or D-shape can be easier for individuals with limited grip strength.
Countertops and Sinks
A shallow sink can be installed to make it easier for individuals with limited reach to access the sink. The sink should have a maximum depth of 6 1/2 inches.
A pull-out spray faucet can be installed to make it easier for individuals to reach the water source and control the water flow.
The sink should have a clear space underneath it to allow individuals who use a wheelchair to roll their legs under the sink. The recommended height for the clearance is at least 27 inches from the floor.
Appliances
Side-opening ovens can be installed to make it easier for individuals with limited mobility or access to the stove. In addition, the oven should have a clear floor space in front of it to allow individuals who use a wheelchair to access the range more easily.
Cooktops with front controls can be installed to make it easier for individuals with limited reach or mobility to use the cooktop. Further, the cooktop should have a clear floor space in front of it to allow individuals who use a wheelchair to access the cooktop more easily.
Dishwasher drawers can be installed to make it easier for individuals with limited reach or mobility to load and unload the dishwasher.