Reasons Why It’s Important to Make Homes More Accessible

May 20, 2021, marked the 10th Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which emphasized on the importance of making this world more accessible for the elderly and people with special need. Unfortunately, currently there aren’t many homes and spaces that are constructed with accessibility in mind.

However, as the number of elderly and disabled people continue to rise, it’s high time that we incorporate accessibility in our homes. This blog post will highlight some of the reasons why it’s important to make our homes more accessible.

Aging Population

703 million people around the world are 65 years or older. If you look at the current trends, the numbers are expected to double in the next 30 years. In U.S alone, 16.5 percent of the population is 65 years or older and the numbers are expected to increase to 22% in the next few years. Research shows that the number of elderly Americans aged 65 or above will reach 80 million in the next 20 years.

These numbers indicate that the nation is aging at a much faster rate. However, if we look at the current housing structure in the country, you’ll find rarely any houses that are constructed with accessibility in mind. The good news is that it’s still not too late to take action. With the help of ADA compliant contractors, you can easily modify homes for elderly and disabled without hassle.

People with Special Needs

When we talk about accessibility, our focus shouldn’t just be on the aging population. According to CDC, 61 million American adults in the country are struggling with different types of mental or physical disabilities. CDC also reports that 26 percent Americans are differently abled and these numbers continue to increase. Just like the aging population, these individuals also have special needs that you need to cater to at home.

What Can We Do?

Remodeling your house or modifying it to enhance accessibility for elderly and disabled people doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to change the entire structure of the house. Minor changes such as installing ramps, widening entrances and investing in accessible appliances can make a huge difference and make life easier for your beloved elderly or differently abled family members.

You can reach out to get your house remodeled or modified to incorporate accessibility. We’re an ADA compliant contractor serving in Miami. We offer handicap remodeling, home modification for elderly and disabled, and many other services.

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.