Since disability awareness day is approaching, it seems a good idea to learn more about making the home wheelchair-friendly for friends and family with disabilities.
TOUSDA offers you a shortlist of suggestions to help enhance the quality of daily life for a disabled person you care about.
How Much Does it Cost to Make a House Wheelchair Accessible?
This depends on the general state of your house.
You may have covered the main points already, or you may need to do a thorough renovation.
For a quick inspection, make sure the following conditions are met.
Access through the front door with a wheelchair is possible.
All door frames are wide enough.
The flooring is not obstructive.
The washroom is comfortable.
The kitchen is comfortable.
These are the main tasks that would make your home accessible for a person in a wheelchair.
Depending on the state of your house, possible property remodeling can be divided into high cost, medium cost, and low-cost projects.
How to Make Home Wheelchair Accessible?
Fit entrance.
Fit doors.
Fit flooring.
Fit bathroom.
Fit kitchen.
How to Make a Doorway Wheelchair Accessible?
Install a ramp on your doorstep. If there are stairs, you need a ramp and railing from both sides.
Widen door frames
It’s crucial to be sure that the wheelchair can easily fit through every door in your house.
Standard wheelchairs are 635 mm (25 in)wide, and for comfortable access, doors should be 900 mm (35 in) wide.
If the door is too narrow, you need to make a mild renovation and refit. Sometimes, removing the door frames is enough.
If not, you’ll need to call a renovator.
Remove doorsteps
For the wheelchair to get in every room unobstructed, you better remove all doorsteps and every uneven flooring part.
Put a lower peephole
If you have the habit of looking through the peephole when someone rings the doorbell, it would be a good idea to place it on the eye level of a person in a wheelchair.
For greater independence, security, and peace of mind, installing a wi-fi video doorbell is a great idea.
What Type of Flooring Do You Need?
To navigate at home in a wheelchair without problems, you need the proper flooring that won’t wear off too fast.
Here are a few reliable examples.
Hardwood flooring
Not only beautiful and classy but also one of the most durable materials that will serve for years to come.
Laminate flooring
Laminate is also a beautiful material to look at and very durable. Scratches come off easily with the right cleaning product.
Ceramic Tiles
The best flooring for kitchens and bathrooms, because of their water resistance.
But, if you fight a color or pattern you like, you can even install them in living rooms and bedrooms. Just make sure they are 5 cm square (0,78 square inches), as larger ones are easier to damage.
Vinyl flooring
Another good water resisting and durable option. Also, easy to install, like laminate.
Need a Handyman?
Please enter your postcode to view our rates and availability in your area.
How to Make Bathroom Wheelchair Accessible?
Since not every bathroom is by default made for wheelchair accessibility, it might be best to consult with a renovation company for a full design makeover.
The most important parts of a wheelchair accessible bathroom are:
Space for turning
The bathroom needs free space of at least 1500 mm (59 in), so a wheelchair would turn 360 degrees.
Space in front of the toilet bowl. There needs to be free space of at least 1200 mm (47 in) before the toilet bowl.
Rails around the toilet
There need to be at least three rails for holding.
Low washbasin
The standard for the washbasin is to be at about 800 mm (31 in) above the floor, but this can be customized according to the height of the person while in a wheelchair.
Rails around the bath
Just like with the toilet, there need to be strong rails for holding.
Rails around the shower
Here is a full guide to a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and kitchen design.
How to Make Kitchen Wheelchair Accessible?
Like with the bathroom, the kitchen needs to be made by certain standards you can rely on a renovator to know.
Here’s how a kitchen should be equipped.
Circulation space of 1500 mm (59 in) for ease of turning
Just like in the bathroom, the kitchen needs to be spacious for easy navigation.
Low work surfaces
All counters, including the kitchen sink, should be easy to use from a sitting position.
Their height from the floor should be about 600 mm (23 in), but that can be customized to the individual.
Base storage units
Since it’s hard to reach up for cupboards, storage units need to be made right above the ground.
For this, they have to be compact and wide enough to keep all household products and kitchen cutlery.
Low appliance placing
To be able to use the oven, hob, washing machine, and dishwasher, they should all be models with side opening and operating and within reach.
Sockets and switches within an arm’s reach.
Install both at the right height.
Medium and Low-Cost Fix-Ups
Install handlebar grips in bedrooms and other key places.
Change doorknobs to lever handles for ease of access.
Install a low clothesline
Lower door handles, light switches, and curtain pull cord.
Install a panic button or other emergency contact system.
Some models may be a button worn on a necklace which can automatically call for family members.
Install a staircase lift if it’s a house with stairs.
