How to Make a Home Disabled Accessible

The average home can present a host of problems to a person living with a physical disability. Basic day-to-day activities can be nearly impossible to a disabled person due to space constraints or mobility issues. With a few adjustments an ordinary home can be made accessible for a disabled person to live a normal and capable life. Here are some suggestions for making a home disabled accessible.

Instructions

• 1

  Install grab bars in high-traffic areas. Places where a disabled person will need to move around frequently or get up and down require a bit of assistance to make sure that the disabled individual can be mobile safely. Installing grab bars in places like the bathroom, the shower, sitting areas and hallways will help make these places safe. Install grab bars as directed, anchoring them into wall studs to keep them secured into the wall.

• 2

  Replace steps with ramps. Someone with a physical disability, even one that does not require the full-time use of a wheelchair, will find walking up and down steps a hardship. Replacing steps with low ramps and handrails will make it easier for the disabled resident to move from one level of the house to another safely. Install ramps securely and use heavy-duty material to guard against wear from wheelchairs or walkers.

• 3

  Furnish flooring with non-skid mats. Any floor surfaces not carpeted, such as hardwood floors or linoleum, could be dangerous for a disabled person with limited mobility or one who uses mobility aids like walkers, canes or wheelchairs. Make these areas more accessible by installing non-skid mats with adhesive backing. Non-skid material like this may also be useful on indoor and outdoor ramps to aid in mobility up and down stairs.

• 4

  Lower high surfaces if possible. High tables and chairs may be difficult for a disabled person to get to, especially if they have to lift themselves out of a wheelchair to do so. Purchase furniture with shorter legs so that it will be lower to the ground or shorten the legs of current furnishings and cap the ends with non-skid caps to keep them from slipping on the floor if the disabled individual needs to lean on the table or chairs for support.

• 5

  Purchase reaching aids for every room. Many home healthcare equipment manufacturers make reaching aids that are lightweight, easy to use and feature rubber grips and simple squeeze handles to make it easier for disabled people or senior citizens to reach items on high shelves or out of their reach. These reaching aids are inexpensive and can be found at most pharmacies.