Accessible Design: How and Why to Make It a Priority
According to the World Bank, 15% of the world's population experiences some sort of disability. Independent living is among the most common disability types after mobility and cognition.
Accessible Design
Accessible design is a design approach that caters to the needs of people with some form of disability by ensuring inclusivity and normalcy. It makes day-to-day chores and mobility easier for people with disabilities or limitations.
COVID-19 made isolating ourselves extremely essential. We had to distance ourselves from our loved ones in fear of spreading or contracting the deadly virus. This ongoing pandemic has made us realize how crucial accessible design is, especially in terms of housing.
Accessible Housing
Accessible home designs are crucial so that the elderly and people with disabilities can live independently. Accessible housing has specialized designs to make the space more accessible and suitable for such people. Unfortunately, the US does not have sufficient accessible housing presently. Home accessibility for everyone should therefore be a top priority.
Here's are a few design ideas that you should prioritize to make your home more accessible.
Ramp and Wheelchair-Friendly Flooring
Building a ramp will make mobility easier for wheelchair users. Carpets and rugs can make mobility for wheelchair users very difficult. Make sure to install wheelchair-friendly flooring such as ceramic or vinyl tiles.
Lever Handles and Grab Bars
Turning knob handles can be challenging for people who have hand coordination problems. Replace doorknobs with lever handles as they are much easier to operate.
Grab bars make moving around in areas such as bathrooms much more convenient. They act as a support to provide the elderly with stability, safety, and ease.
Walk-In Showers
Bathtubs tend to cause several accidents due to their high edges. Tub edges make it extremely difficult for the elderly and people with disabilities to step in and out of the tub. Instead, install walk-in showers to enable safety and convenience for all users.
Pull-Out Shelves
Install pull-out shelves to make access to the content inside shelves easier. Adding such shelves is especially necessary, especially in kitchens, to enable independent usage.
Pull-out shelves are helpful for wheelchair users and people with different heights, such as those affected by dwarfism.
We Provide Accessible Home Renovations in Miami
Our team of experienced professionals at Access Built will ensure ADA compliance and accessible designs for your home, whether you're considering getting a renovation or complete remodeling.
Our top-notch specialized services come with upfront pricing and promptness and make us one of Miami's leading home accessibility contractors.
Access Built is a universal design build platform dedicated to connecting residential and commercial property owners with resources they need to create more accessible spaces. For more information or to schedule your FREE consultation, click here.
