4 Ways to Make Homes More Accessible
Home accessibility is one of the more neglected features of modern architecture. The needs of many are left behind for the sake of extravagance and complexity, which is a hindrance to their mobility and lifestyle.
Home accessibility helps people be more active, responsible, and aware of the requirements of people with disabilities and the elderly. Here’s how homes can be made more accessible for everyone in a way that will also benefit the most number of people:
Adding Ramps Instead of Stairs
Adding ramps alongside stairs or replacing them entirely is an excellent way of increasing the accessibility of your home. While they’re challenging to traverse for wheelchair users, they’re also a hazard for people in general. Unfortunately, they’re spread out across the average household to traverse between different levels and parts of the home.
The average home will have at least some incline between two rooms, if not a few flights of stairs. People with walkers, wheelchairs can quickly go up and down with a well-positioned ramp without requiring a lot of assistance.
Handrails in Different Parts of The House
Many people struggle to maintain balance and have limited mobility due to medical conditions or old age. Getting to different house areas and navigating their way can become difficult for them without any assistance. Handrails help provide an area to hold on to, which such people can grip as they make their way.
Handrails are also excellent for helping people stand up, as they provide support to get up from a seated position.
Careful Furniture Arrangement
Making your home more accessible doesn’t necessarily have to cost you a lot of money. In some cases, it may not cost you anything at all. For existing furniture that’s accessibility-friendly, you will benefit from setting it up so that there are no obstructions for people. Have ample space for people in wheelchairs, walkers to get through without any blockage.
Commonly used items of the house should be easy to reach for everyone and accessible parts of the home, so people will not require extra assistance.
Keeping Floors Safe
Another common problem is regarding the floor materials, as some options are slipperier than others. It’s best to go with options like carpeting rather than tiles and thicker rugs as they can be hard to walk on and maintain balance for those with limited mobility.
The bathroom is a common spot for falls and tumbles, so make sure to add in a few anti-slip mats around that help people maintain their grip.
If you’re looking to make your home more accessible for your loved ones, the ADA compliance contractors at Access Built can help renovate your Miami home for the better. We help with building a house for disabled persons, offering handicap remodeling and home modification for elderly and disabled users.
We believe in empowering people to be more self-sufficient and attending to the needs of others. Get in touch with us today for your home accessibility design overhaul.
