Accessibility For Every Homeowner
According to the 2000 census, nearly 50 million people in the United States have some type of disability. Of this group, 6.8 million have a condition that makes it difficult to bathe, dress and get around the inside of their own homes [source: U.S. Department of Commerce]. At the same time, we are living longer and people are increasingly considering “aging-in-place” – living in their homes as long as they possibly can. Their homes should be comfortable and easy places to live. With careful planning, any home can be made accessible to people with varying degrees of physical ability.
While there are regulations for certain types of housing, there aren’t any federal standards related to handicap accessibility for non-federally funded, detached single-family homes. The regulations that do exist can be a guideline for individual homes. Here are a few key things we consider when we work with homeowners that have accessibility goals for their project.
- Locating the living areas, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and laundry on one floor
- Modifying light switch and outlet placement to be easier to reach
- Installing grab bars in showers and near bathroom facilities
- Placing ramps at porch and front entrances
- Expanding hallways and doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers
- Including built-in benches in showers
- Adjusting counter heights in bathrooms and the kitchen
- Adding clear space in all rooms so wheelchairs can easily access appliances and bathroom fixtures
Our design staff can help any create a tasteful, accessible flow in any home. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you stay in your home for as long as you’d like!