Person in wheelchair.

For people who have disabilities or mobility issues, it can be very frustrating when a home is inaccessible to them. There are many ways to make your home more accessible. It is worth noting, that what is accessible for one disabled person, may not be accessible for another. However, there are some changes that can be made easily that will help to make your home accessible to a range of disabilities and circumstances.

Ramp Access

Some newer homes are built with level access into the home, which makes entering and leaving houses much easier for those in wheelchairs or mobility scooters. However, if your home has steps, installing a ramp is a great solution that everyone can use.

 

Flooring

Making sure that your floor space is clear enough for a wheelchair to move around or to minimise the risk of tripping and falling. Thick carpets and rugs are not ideal, as rugs can cause wheelchairs to get caught and can also increase the risk of tripping and falling. The best option is wooden flooring as it provides a flat and firm surface to gain traction or balance on. When it comes to bathroom flooring, a non-slip alternative is the best option, as is one that is durable, as it is likely that a wheelchair will cause a bit of wear and tear.

 

Inclusive Kitchen

The kitchen is often where the family congregates. It is where people cook together, eat together, and laugh together. Therefore, it is important that all members of your family feel welcomed into it and can access it, whether they have a disability or not. Having lowered workspaces, and enough room to manoeuvre is very important, and will help to make your family feel more included in the long run.

 

Environmental Controls

In this technological age, almost everything is controlled at the touch of a button. Having an app on your phone that can control the heating, lights, and television etc. will help to make those who cannot move as freely and easily as you to maintain that same level of freedom.

 

Doorways

 Opening and closing doors is something that able-bodied people take for granted, as this is something that presents problems to people with disabilities on a daily basis. Swapping out your doors with handles for sliding doors is a quick and easy way to make sure that people in wheelchairs or who do not have the ability to open doors still have the freedom to move around the house as they please.