Things can change in the blink of an eye. Wheelchairs should be viewed as a means of allowing someone who’s unable to walk to live a life of normalcy and mobility. There may come a time when we find ourselves or our family members will be need to use a wheelchair. Whether this is a temporary adjustment or a permanent life change, inevitably there will need to be some changes made to accommodate.
These changes should start in the home. If you’re unsure about how to begin, here are 5 major ways to make your home wheelchair accessible.
- Entryways: Start with entryways and primary access points of the home. Do you have batches of 2-3 steps to get in the front door, back door, or the garage entry? If so, convert these into gradual ramps. You want to make sure the entryways are easily accessible.
- Doorways: Next, observe the size of your doorways. Most wheelchairs are an average of 24-27 inches wide. In order to create a doorway that allows a wheelchair to freely travel through it, the doorway should be no less than 32 inches wide. Measure your doorways with measuring tape, and make adjustments accordingly. Carving out a few extra inches will make all the difference.
- Bathrooms: Possibly one of the areas you should put the most detail into, consider the condition of the person in the wheelchair and what their mobile capabilities are. Go from there, and add helpful structures accordingly. Commonly, however, you’ll want to install a spacious shower that has full-length door access. Also, put in a seat and adequate railings so that the person can either transfer or lift themselves into the area.
- Lower Reachability: The eye level in your home has just shifted greatly. Lower shelves, cabinets, countertops, and objects so that they’re able to be reached by everyone. This can be done by thoroughly adjusting all of these surfaces or installing specialized additions to each one that offers a lower level of access.
- Stairs: Ideally, those using a wheelchair would like to avoid stairs. If it’s available, look into a living space that has only one floor. If this is not available, there are modern structures like stair lifts that move up and down stairs by way of an automatic seat.
Above all, the goal is to create an environment for living that does not limit any one person to having a normal life.
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