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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

For more wellness ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

You may not ever think about it, but one day it may be necessary for you to make your home accessible for a loved one or even yourself. Today, my guest blogger gives tips on how to design your home for the disabled. Whether you instal handicap bathtubs, front entries, or adjust sink and cabinets in your bathroom and kitchen, here are tips to help you design your home.

Image via

Next, see how a homeowner changes his cookie-cutter home into an accessible and wheelchair friendly home for himself.

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YouTube – Making your home wheelchair accessible

Guest Blogger – How to Modify your Home for the Disabled

If you are living with a disabled person there will obviously be things that are more difficult for them around the house. Depending on the disability there are many things you can do to make life easier for them. In order for them to have a good quality of life it is important they can do things for themselves. Things you may take for granted. They certainly won’t want everything done for them.

Some changes will take a lot of work and could cost a bit of money, but there are also simple changes you can make. It’s important you can get as much of them done as possible. Things will sometimes be harder they sound, especially if money is a concern. Do your best to make the changes and you will make life a lot more enjoyable for them. That’s all they want.

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Entry into the home

Anyone in a wheelchair will have a hard time getting into the house if there are steps. You will always have to be there to lift them in. This can also apply to people who have difficulty walking. They might not be able to climb up the steps by themselves. The easiest thing you can do to help them is have a ramp built.

Once a ramp is in place it should be easy for someone to walk up provided the angle isn’t too steep. It’s also going to be easy for someone in an electric wheelchair to get into the house by themselves. Ramps don’t need to be expensive, especially if you have the ability to build it yourself.

Reaching for things

If something is too high it could be hard for someone to reach up and grab it. For someone in a wheelchair they just won’t be able to reach. This could include things like food in the kitchen cupboards, or even something as simple as the telephone.

It means you will have to go around the house putting as much things as possible in places they can reach. It means they won’t need to call you when they need anything, or try and hook it down themselves with a walking stick. You won’t be able to do this with everything, but make sure you get all the important things.

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Can they get up the stairs?

As long as you have somewhere downstairs for them to sleep they might not even need to go upstairs. Of course this only works if you have a bathroom somewhere on the bottom floor. If you don’t, or if you need to put them to bed every night it could become quite difficult carrying them all the time.

Luckily you can install a stair lift which they can sit on and go up the stairs by themselves. The only problem with this is the cost. They don’t come cheap. If you don’t have the ability to carry them up then it’s just something that needs to be bought. It will save you having to move house.

The author, Mark Ben, is a home improvement blogger and shares home improvement tips through guest blogging. He is a part of the team at Talk Solar Panels, premium installers of solar panels.

For more wellness ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Now that spring is here the need for setting up your outdoor home in undeniably on everyone’s minds. Designing your patio and outdoor home can be a challenge for those with special needs. Last year, my guest blogger Wendy Martin Turley had an excellent article on designing your outdoor home for those with special needs to enjoy.

Image via: Room Galleries.My Home Ideas

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Original Entry Guest Blog #48, Entry #447, March 14, 2011

When we create outdoor spaces, from our porches and decks, to the stepping stone garden that meanders around our house, do we ever think about is this area accessible for all? Outdoor spaces especially have the characteristics of being uneven, narrow, and often times unaccessible for those who have special needs, as well as elderly, or those who have small children with strollers.

Creating outdoor spaces that have proper width clearances, even ground, and ensure leisure areas have good seating for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

______________________________

Today, I’m pleased to have Guest Blogger, Wendy Martin Turley from Parenting Blind By Design, to discuss how to make your outdoor areas accessible and enjoyable for all. After all, when you have you entertain this season, what is better than inviting the neighborhood over for a barbecue? Feel comfortable and confident that your home is enjoyed by all your guests!

Outdoor Spaces for Everyone

There’s always one house on the block that has people in their backyard all summer long. But how can you do this when your house has special needs?

First thing people think of is let’s play it safe. This is often an uninspired look that leads to a place no one can enjoy and therefore isn’t used.

You don’t need a flat square space even if you have a walker or wheelchair. What you do need are wide secure paths. Make sure that all entrances and exits are ease to pass through. Any stairs or ramps should have handrails. Deck or patio edges should be bordered by a railing, wall, benches or planters. This will help lessen the chances of falls. Also, when using a builder in your area be aware of local by-laws on how to construct decks and patios in your area because if they are constructed incorrectly you may not be able to sell your property before it’s repaired. These by-laws are there for safety too, so get the permits you need and feel confident that your new space is a safe place.

A great space for everyone has been well thought out.

Dos and Don’ts for creating your outdoor space:

Dos:

– Do decide on a number of people maximum you want to be out there at one time.

– Do create zones with wide paths between zones (3’) for wheelchair or walker use.

– Do create a space where wheelchair or walkers can turn around in (5’ dia. Space)

– Do make a space where walkers or wheelchairs can go within the space (i.e. lounge space) that has them in the space and not within the walkway and they don’t get blocked in either.

– Do invest in good furniture which has the seat height of 18”-19”.

– Do plan on where you are going to store your cushions, because no one wants a wet seat. A storage bench can add to your seating and add needed storage space.

– Do try to keep the lounge area away from the BBQ area for safety reasons.

– Do if you can have a window close to the BBQ area so that food and supplies can be passed through and hot food is kept off the walking paths.

Don’ts

– Don’t use gravel for walkways or broken slate, these are tripping hazards. Do use solid surface treatments, like concrete (can be coloured or stained).

– Don’t use a rug, they become a tripping hazard and makes the use of walkers or wheelchairs impossible to manoeuvre over.

– Don’t clutter the space with things that can become tripping hazards as the numbers of people increase in your space.

Small planters are nice; however, they should carefully used. The pottery bowl of strawberries is pretty on the corner of the stairs, but it’s a tripping hazard and a barrier to reaching the railing. Instead, build in planters on either side of the stairs and along the deck. At the right height the built-in planters can hold vegetables, fruit and flowers a person in a wheelchair or using a walker can putter around in.

Do make sure that you have shade for the lounge and eating areas as these are the places where you will spend the most of your outdoor time.

Lighting is another special safety feature that will extend your time on your patio or deck. Light your paths and edging of the deck or patio. There are many kinds of lights out there, but LED lights have come a long way and rope lighting can be laid in a garden bed, or by the path to give that extra guidance. LED lighting has come far recently and it’s improving as time goes by. They are cost effective too. Candles and tiki torches should be kept to the minimum also, because of the increase in fire hazards. If you want natural bug protection, try marigolds or other indigenous plants that secret scents that repels the local bugs.

I won’t be recommending a specific brand of outdoor furniture act I am a Canadian Interior Decorator and not familiar with what sells within you region. I just will leave this with the note that, nature knows no colour limits, and with today’s developments in outdoor furniture, ensure that it is solid, fade resistant and rust resistant.

The patio or deck have become actual rooms now within our homes, so don’t feel guilty when you’re investing in its furnishings.

Deck the deck when it’s cool with pillows and throws. Table top fires can be purchased and enjoyed also. But always make sure that you have a fire extinguisher nearby the main exit.

Enjoy your dishes outside by mixing and matching old dishes for that mismatched feel. People will have memories of those plates and you can create conversations about those memories.

Just eat, drink and be merry. Life is for those that reach out and grasp it. Simply plan everything step by step.

The Plan:

1. How safe are the entrances and exits of your yard and home. (Should have 2 exits from backyard)
2. Wide even paths that are well lit. (3’ wide)
3. Zones for entertaining (BBQ, Lounge, and Dining)
4. Do provide a 5’ diameter space for wheelchairs and walkers can turn around that’s not near the stairs.
5. Ensure that the deck, patio, stairs and ramps are surrounded by something like a railing, built-in planters, and bench seating/storage.
6. Decide on the number of people you want at any given time on your deck or patio and plan for that many. Include a space where a wheelchair or walker can go that’s out of the way of traffic but easily accessible by the person. Don’t make them feel like they are in the way or have been tossed aside.
7. Do buy furniture with a seat height of 18”x19” high, for mobility restricted people.
8. Do plan on where you’re going to store those cushions because you don’t want to be always sitting on a wet cushion.
9. Think of plants as a raised garden bed for the aging gardener.

Well I hope this gives some people ideas on what they can do if they to entertain people with special needs. I know it’s always fun here because life always tosses something new into the fray.

The big thing is, just get out and enjoy yourself!

Wendy Martin Turley is an Interior Decorating Student at Humber College and will be graduating in April 2011. I’m a wife and a mother. Sounds simple right? Here’s where it gets complicated. I’m no bored housewife. My husband, Peter is blind and my son was born 11 weeks premature. I learnt fast how important great design makes life easier and possible in some cases. I started with our nursery and then decided that there was a need out there for Great Design to make living possible for those with disabilities. Also find Wendy on Twitter

For more outdoor living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! If you are like most homeowners, the ability to make your home more convenient with technology is important. Whether it is using automatic lighting controls, thermostat controls or other remote controlled devices, homeowners have a new found freedom when installing these devices.

Image courtesy of Building Designz

My Guest Blogger today shows you how the Verve ^TM Living Systems works in this You Tube video, as well as points out helpful information that can be used in a home, hospitals, assisted living facilities and more. Automatic devices can help with ambiance, as well as functionality for those with disabilities.

As part of our individual commitments to live a green lifestyle, it’s important to consider the energy consumed by the buildings we spend the majority of our time in.  For many of us, this means a closer look at where we call “home” be it a house, apartment, dorm room or our favorite hotel.

It’s our job to familiarize ourselves with new technology that we can apply to our everyday lives to achieve our goal of reducing overall energy consumption.  One of the latest trends in home living is the home automation system.   Technologies like those used to develop wireless, battery-less controls for HVAC systems, lighting and other electrical loads.  These control products may seem like a luxury today, but will one day be as common as granite countertops or stainless steel appliances.  In fact, according to a recent study featured in Electronichouse.com, home automation systems are expected to explode by 2016 as more digital capabilities become available with mainstream home technology providers.

Going green and saving money aren’t the only benefits to being consumption conscious though.  A variety of today’s home automation systems allow you  to enjoy customized luxuries including the ability to create unique lighting scenes, manage climate controls, and even customize the design of your living space with movable wireless switches. These types of home automation technologies continue to attract mainstream consumers and have become more abundant outside of the home and in commercial spaces including hotels and universities.  This trend continues as facility managers move towards conscious consumption in their operations.

Verve ^TM Living Systems, a company that develops and markets innovative energy-saving automation products, recently launched a new collection of home automation products designed to save energy and reduce costs without having to sacrifice comfort. Many Verve products are wireless and can be installed in either new or existing buildings without the need for additional wiring.  And because the products do not require batteries, ongoing maintenance and replacement costs can be eliminated.

Energy efficiency and conscious consumption start in the home, but they also extend to where we work and play. There are various energy management solutions on the market to help us reduce our carbon footprint and live a more green lifestyle. Verve ^TM Living Systems is one example of a simple, affordable way to control both comfort and energy costs. For more information on Verve ^TM Living Systems products, visit vervelivingsystems.com.

Dianne Pisarek is President, Masco Technological Innovations with a proven track record of success in a broad range of disciplines.  She has more than 25 years of executive and managerial experience in marketing, product development and team selling within industrial, manufacturing and retail sectors.  She has been deeply involved with the development of the Verve ^TM Living Systems brand since 2006 and is Vice Chariman North America Co-chair and Board Member of the EnOcean Alliance.

For more DIY Saturday‘s on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! Over the past years the need for homeowners to adapt their homes for the elderly has become commonplace. Whether it’s adapt a home for a family member, or to make your home safer and easier to get around.  Universal design, ADA guidelines, and safety for the elderly are important, especially in the bathroom of your home.

Image courtesy of Safety within Reach

Today, my Guest Blogger gives tips for adapting your bathroom for safety for the aging and watch a You Tube video on how to make the bathroom safe for the elderly in your bathroom.

You Tube Video – How to Make the Bathroom Safer for your Elderly Parent

Guest Blogger – Safety for Seniors in the Bathroom

As we get older, places in our homes that previous seemed harmless can become increasingly challenging to negotiate. Muscular weakness, back stiffness and slower reflexes can result in damaging falls in any room of the house. Some statistics suggest that every year, at least one three people over the age of 65 have a fall. True, not all of these mishaps result in anything more than wounded feelings and small bruises, but how well you come off is often down to chance.

Among all the rooms in the house, the most dangerous is probably the bathroom. But we still need to bathe and if we are to remain in our own homes and retain a level of personal autonomy, we need to be able to use the bathroom as well as we have ever done. Nevertheless, we should never be afraid to ask for help in making these changes to our home: many installations require proper installation to ensure our safety!

Basics

Water is clearly a hazard, and when mixed with whatever soaps and cleaning chemicals we have, things can get extra slippery. It is recommended to have relatively new bathmats wherever there is an appliance: next to bath-tubs, shower enclosures, basins and toilets. Opt for mats with a decent non-skid underside, and don’t hesitate to replace these when the coating fails after years of washing.

Image courtesy of QA Home Products

Installing a Rail

It is not uncommon for older people to hold onto something when entering or exiting the bath. In fact, most of us have fixtures and fittings that can be used for support in the general vicinity, and this is where the danger lies. Towel racks, shelving and other fixtures are not built to withstand the strength and weight of a person pulling themselves into place. And it’s the falls that we never see coming that hurt us the most.

Rails can be purchased at most bathroom suppliers, but should always be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that they have been installed correctly. Rails are useful for baths and toilets. U-shaped, horizontal, vertical and diagonal bars help you in and out of baths and toilets of varying heights and positions. Where a bath rail can even be placed should be done having consulted a professional, since many things must be considered when finding somewhere that is comfortable and safe to place the rail.

Toilet Seat Height

It can also be beneficial to alter toilet seat height, sometimes by as much as 5-7 inches. Wall-hung toilets can achieve this greater height, but it may suit your household arrangements to have a removable seat. There are also permanent seat options if you’re don’t want to invest in a new toilet.

Image courtesy of Senug

Walk In Bathtubs

Baths are actually incredibly un-ergonomic when you think about it: you must first hurdle over the side and then you have to lower yourself down into the tub to begin bathing. Easy enough when you’re young, but when backpain starts up and your joints aren’t quite as easy to shift as they once were, the bathtub can become a rather daunting prospect. Showers provide something of an answer, but it’s all too easy to find yourself having to reach around on the floor for a dropped sponge.

Walk in bathtubs are a fairly straightforward answer, providing an easy-swing door that seals when the taps come on. Many models also provide seats for easy-seated bathing!

This article was written on behalf of Splash Direct by Steph Wood. Splash can provide many of the above fixtures as well as Bath Screens and other accessories.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When we create outdoor spaces, from our porches and decks, to the stepping stone garden that meanders around our house, do we ever think about is this area accessible for all? Outdoor spaces especially have the characteristics of being uneven, narrow, and often times unaccessible for those who have special needs, as well as elderly, or those who have small children with strollers.

Creating outdoor spaces that have proper width clearances, even ground, and ensure leisure areas have good seating for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

______________________________

Today, I’m pleased to have Guest Blogger,  Wendy Martin Turley from Parenting Blind By Design, to discuss how to make your outdoor areas accessible and enjoyable for all. After all, when you have you entertain this season, what is better than inviting the neighborhood over for a barbecue? Feel comfortable and confident that your home is enjoyed by all your guests!

Outdoor Spaces for Everyone

There’s always one house on the block that has people in their backyard all summer long.  But how can you do this when your house has special needs?

First thing people think of is let’s play it safe.  This is often an uninspired look that leads to a place no one can enjoy and therefore isn’t used.

You don’t need a flat square space even if you have a walker or wheelchair.  What you do need are wide secure paths.  Make sure that all entrances and exits are ease to pass through.  Any stairs or ramps should have handrails.  Deck or patio edges should be bordered by a railing, wall, benches or planters.  This will help lessen the chances of falls.  Also, when using a builder in your area be aware of local by-laws on how to construct decks and patios in your area because if they are constructed incorrectly you may not be able to sell your property before it’s repaired.  These by-laws are there for safety too, so get the permits you need and feel confident that your new space is a safe place.

A great space for everyone has been well thought out.

Dos and Don’ts for creating your outdoor space:

Dos:

–        Do decide on a number of people maximum you want to be out there at one time.

–        Do create zones with wide paths between zones (3’) for wheelchair or walker use.

–        Do create a space where wheelchair or walkers can turn around in (5’ dia. Space)

–        Do make a space where walkers or wheelchairs can go within the space (i.e. lounge space) that has them in the space and not within the walkway and they don’t get blocked in either.

–        Do invest in good furniture which has the seat height of 18”-19”.

–        Do plan on where you are going to store your cushions, because no one wants a wet seat.  A storage bench can add to your seating and add needed storage space.

–        Do try to keep the lounge area away from the BBQ area for safety reasons.

–        Do if you can have a window close to the BBQ area so that food and supplies can be passed through and hot food is kept off the walking paths.

Don’ts

–        Don’t use gravel for walkways or broken slate, these are tripping hazards. Do use solid surface treatments, like concrete (can be coloured or stained).

–        Don’t use a rug, they become a tripping hazard and makes the use of walkers or wheelchairs impossible to manoeuvre over.

–         Don’t clutter the space with things that can become tripping hazards as the numbers of people increase in your space.

Small planters are nice; however, they should carefully used.  The pottery bowl of strawberries is pretty on the corner of the stairs, but it’s a tripping hazard and a barrier to reaching the railing.  Instead, build in planters on either side of the stairs and along the deck.  At the right height the built-in planters can hold vegetables, fruit and flowers a person in a wheelchair or using a walker can putter around in.

Do make sure that you have shade for the lounge and eating areas as these are the places where you will spend the most of your outdoor time.

Lighting is another special safety feature that will extend your time on your patio or deck.  Light your paths and edging of the deck or patio.  There are many kinds of lights out there, but LED lights have come a long way and rope lighting can be laid in a garden bed, or by the path to give that extra guidance.  LED lighting has come far recently and it’s improving as time goes by.  They are cost effective too.  Candles and tiki torches should be kept to the minimum also, because of the increase in fire hazards.   If you want natural bug protection, try marigolds or other indigenous plants that secret scents that repels the local bugs.

I won’t be recommending a specific brand of outdoor furniture act I am a Canadian Interior Decorator and not familiar with what sells within you region.  I just will leave this with the note that, nature knows no colour limits, and with today’s developments in outdoor furniture, ensure that it is solid, fade resistant and rust resistant.

The patio or deck have become actual rooms now within our homes, so don’t feel guilty when you’re investing in its furnishings.

Deck the deck when it’s cool with pillows and throws.  Table top fires can be purchased and enjoyed also.  But always make sure that you have a fire extinguisher nearby the main exit.

Enjoy your dishes outside by mixing and matching old dishes for that mismatched feel.  People will have memories of those plates and you can create conversations about those memories.

Just eat, drink and be merry.  Life is for those that reach out and grasp it.  Simply plan everything step by step.

The Plan:

1. How safe are the entrances and exits of your yard and home. (Should have 2 exits from backyard)
2. Wide even paths that are well lit. (3’ wide)
3. Zones for entertaining (BBQ, Lounge, and Dining)
4. Do provide a 5’ diameter space for wheelchairs and walkers can turn around that’s not near the stairs.
5. Ensure that the deck, patio, stairs and ramps are surrounded by something like a railing, built-in planters, and  bench seating/storage.
6. Decide on the number of people you want at any given time on your deck or patio and plan for that many.  Include  a space where a wheelchair or walker can go that’s out of the way of traffic but easily accessible by the person.  Don’t make them feel like they are in the way or have been tossed aside.
7. Do buy furniture with a seat height of 18”x19” high, for mobility restricted people.
8. Do plan on where you’re going to store those cushions because you don’t want to be always sitting on a wet cushion.
9. Think of plants as a raised garden bed for the aging gardener.

Well I hope this gives some people ideas on what they can do if they to entertain people with special needs.  I know it’s always fun here because life always tosses something new into the fray.

The big thing is, just get out and enjoy yourself!

Wendy Martin Turley is an Interior Decorating Student at Humber College and will be graduating in April 2011. I’m a wife and a mother. Sounds simple right? Here’s where it gets complicated. I’m no bored housewife. My husband, Peter is blind and my son was born 11 weeks premature. I learnt fast how important great design makes life easier and possible in some cases. I started with our nursery and then decided that there was a need out there for Great Design to make living possible for those with disabilities. Also find Wendy on Twitter

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.