Guest Blogger: Tips for Designing a Wheelchair Accessible Home

Guest Blogger #658, Entry #1568, September 6, 2012

Very few homes are designed to cater to individuals with physical disabilities. Many have architectural challenges such as stairs, narrow halls and doorways, and other obstacles that make it difficult for individuals confined to wheelchairs to maneuver. And yet, those who must live with handicaps need a home just like everyone else, which means that modifications are often required in order to make a house accessible for wheelchair-bound inhabitants. Whether you find yourself in need of this assistive motion device or you happen to be accommodating a friend or relative with special needs, there are several ways that you can make a home better suited to an inhabitant in a wheelchair. Here are just a few options that will help to make your house wheelchair accessible.

A handicapped shower doesn’t have to be ordinary

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Wheelchair tips for your home

The biggest obstacle that many people face when it comes to creating a home that is wheelchair accessible is stairs, but there are several workarounds that you can try, many of which can be reversed when the time comes to sell your property (if that is what the new owners prefer). The first and easiest option, at least outside the house, is to build ramps. This might not work particularly well on long or steep staircases, which would probably require the addition of some kind of switchback, but if it’s just a few stairs you can probably install a ramp with a manageable incline.

Create an accessible kitchen that everyone can use

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Multilevel home challenges

Hopefully you can find a home with a one-level interior, but if you are already living in a house with multiple floors when you become reliant on a wheelchair, you have two choices. You can either look for a new home (something that most people don’t want to do) or install a lift of some sort (like a motorized chair that moves up and down the stairs on a track). This second option is fairly pricy, but it could be better than the prospect of moving.

Make your home accessible throughout

In addition, you will almost certainly want to modify the bathrooms in your home, equipping them with handrails that will help you to maneuver between you chair and the facilities (toilet, tub, etc.). If you want to go all out you could build a roll-in shower, but generally, a tub or shower with a bench seat is sufficient, although you will probably have to install a hand-held shower head at a level you can reach on your own. And unless you have a chair that can be raised up, you might also want to install low-level sinks (and surfaces) that you can reach from your wheelchair. The same goes for shelving, racks, and so on that you need to access frequently.

Provide accessibility throughout your home

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The final hurdle for most people comes from doors and hallways that are too narrow for certain wheelchairs to pass through. Although you may be able to maneuver using a smaller chair in the house, this simply might not be an option (however, you should contact 1800wheelchair or a similar vendor to see what products are available that could work for you). The other option is to start widening the pass-throughs in your home. This can be an expensive undertaking, but on the upside, you could end up with that open floor plan you’ve always wanted. And considering that you may be eligible to claim a deduction on your taxes for home improvements that are made for medical reasons, it could end up costing less than you fear.

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