There are over 14 million people living with a disability in the UK many of which are not immediately apparent, otherwise referred to as invisible. No matter whether the disability is visible or invisible, a disability might require adjustments to both living spaces and routines. It can be difficult knowing where to start so in this article we take a look at some ways that you can make your home more accessible.
Ramps vs steps
Starting outside the home, the first thing to realise is that steps pose a real problem to a large number of people, so it makes sense to replace entrance steps, where possible with a ramp. Now this might not always be possible and where it isn’t consider how to make the steps more user friendly. This could be by providing handrails either side, adding non-slip coatings to make the step more safe or using a temporary ramp when needed.
Flooring
One property feature that people with reduced mobility really struggle with and most of us have is carpets. Carpets, especially the luxurious deep piled carpets are a real problem for wheelchair mobility and also the use of walking sticks or other walking aids. In fact, carpets can cause problems for anyone who need to lift their feet that little bit more to walk around. If possible, replace carpets with hard surfaces such as wood, laminate or even vinyl. Rugs also cause issues and, in a lot of respects, they can be worse as they are not fixed in place and can bunch up and even move. Try to remove rugs from areas where they are not needed or look at moving or securing ends so that they are no longer a trip hazard.
Space
Creating space is also important. Those who need to use wheelchairs or walking aids aren’t as able to manoeuvre around furniture or through doors. To help with this, arrange furniture so that there is plenty of space to move around inside and where possible try to widen doorways. The more open space, the better.
Knobs and Levels
Many people have reduced dexterity meaning that things most people would consider simple like turning on a tap or opening a door can be so much more difficult, especially if the doorknob is round or the taps have round tops. These types of knobs can be hard to grab hold of and turn. Replace them with lever type handles and levers as these are easier to hold on to and turn.
Handrails
Not everyone will be able to install a stairlift or install a toilet which is specifically designed for those with reduced mobility. Installing handrails both sides of the stairs and also handrails next to toilets will help enormously. If installing handrails on stairs, extend the handrail beyond the first and last steps so that anyone using them has full support before entering the stairs and also when exiting them.
Two Way Switches.
If you have a guest room, for example, which is likely to be used by someone with reduced mobility, install two-way switches for things like the lights. One switch at the doorway and one by the bed. This will be invaluable as the light can easily be turned off from the bed rather than needing to navigate the room in the dark. If this is difficult to do, then technology can help and smart lights or plugs can be installed with a home assistant to allow lights to be turned on and off using a voice assistant.
Shower Chairs
If you have a shower, an easy way to help out is to install a fold down shower chair. These bolt easily to the wall and can be tucked away when not in use, but when required provide somewhere for someone to sit rather than stand when showering. Having a slip proof chair attached firmly to the wall is much safer than a loose chair in the shower.
Use Technology
We’ve already mentioned operating lights with home voice assistant technology, but this can go even further. These days kettles can be boiled using an app, curtains or blinds can be opened and closed using an app driven motor and TVs can also be operated by voice. Using technology can make a home much easier to live in. Have a look at this excellent article by Scope for some excellent ideas on how to use Smart technology to make life a little bit easier.
Lower Worktops
Not all wheelchair users can readily access standard height worktops so look to have areas where the worktops are lower. Not all the worktops need to be lowered, which makes the process easier but even a small lowered area will help enormously.
Making adjustments to make a home more accessible is a lot simpler than it first appears a few small changes can make your home considerably more accessible and comfortable.
