Accessible Home Design

Most existing and new housing, even in the wealthiest nations, lack basic accessibility features unless the designated, immediate occupant of a home currently has a disability. However, there are some initiatives to change typical residential practices so that new homes incorporate basic access features such as zero-step entries and door widths adequate for wheelchairs to pass through.

Deciding whether or not a home is accessible depends of course on the nature and extent of a persons disability. An accessible home is a house or apartment that enables an individual to do what he or she needs and desires to do as independently as possible.

For some people, access could be as simple as adding grab bars and a tub seat in the bathroom. However for wheelchair users, access may require ramping entrances, widening doorways, lowering counters, adding lever or loop-style hardware to doors and drawers, and modifying storage areas.

United States

In the United States, the 1988 Amendments to the Fair Housing Act added people with disabilities, as well as familial status, to the classes already protected by law from discrimination (race, color, sex, religion and country of origin). Among the protection for people with disabilities in the 1988 Amendments are seven construction requirements for all multifamily buildings of more than four units first occupied after March 13, 1991. These seven requirements are as follows:

An accessible building entrance on an accessible route.

Accessible common and public use areas.

Doors usable by a person in a wheelchair.

Accessible route into and through the dwelling unit.

Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls in accessible locations.

Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars.

Usable kitchens and bathrooms.

The Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), which became effective on March 12, 1989, extended the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to cover housing for people with disabilities. Under the FHAA, it is illegal to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of a dwelling, to refuse to process an offer, or to refuse a legitimate offer on the basis of an applicant's disability. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 establishes an administrative enforcement mechanism, provides stiffer penalties than the present act, and expands its coverage to include disabled persons and families with children.

First published in 1996, the Fair Housing Act Design Manual: A Manual to Assist Designers and Builders in Meeting the Accessibility Requirements of The Fair Housing Act provides clear and helpful guidance about ways to design and construct housing which complies with the Fair Housing Act. The manual explains the accessibility requirements of the Act, which must be incorporated into the design and construction of multifamily housing covered by the Act. Download the free Fair Housing Act Design Manual

United Kingdom

Great Britain applies the most widespread application of home access to date. In 1999, Parliament passed Section M, an amendment to residential building regulations requiring basic access in all new homes.

This Best Practice Guidance (BPG) has been produced to provide advice on how to implement the London Plan policy on wheelchair accessible housing. London Plan policy states that at least 10% of new homes should be designed to be wheelchair accessible or easily adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users. The London Plan Supplementary Planning Guidance Accessible London lists the key features that make a home easily adaptable for wheelchair users.

While achieving accessibility may mean finding a new apartment or designing and building a single family home to the specifications that meet the needs of a person with a specific disability, it is often possible to adapt or modify current and existing housing using various assistive technologies.

Adaptations such as the door sill ramps, environmental control units, and proper lighting mentioned above are also beneficial to individuals with mobility and other physical disabilities, but further accessibility measures are often required for walker and wheelchair users, as well as those whose disabilities affect the use of their hands. One of the most important parts of wheelchair accessible construction in a home or business are bars and handrails. Grab bars and handrails are great accessories to have for those in wheelchairs, especially in the restrooms.

Home inspectors are very knowledgeable and if told before-hand that the home is for someone with disabilities, they can be very helpful in giving recommendations and suggestions or finding problems that may cause inconveniences for the diabled.

Further Information Regarding Accessible Home Design

Home Elevators for the Elderly and People with a Disability
Home elevators are a practical solution for the elderly, who desire to lead an independent life even with their mobility challenges. These are convenient, quiet and easy-to-operate equipment which assist in easy movement up and down the floors of your home.

Accessible Kitchen Makeovers
Everyone uses the kitchen and when an individual is unable to function in an able body environment making handicapped accessible changes immediately is important. The loss of mobility and independence can lead to frustration and withdrawal and these small changes will allow the individual to continue to take care of themselves and do it safely.

How to Make Your Home Accessible
A disability accessible home, or your home being "visitable", is defined as "anyone is able to enter and use locations of a home necessary for a visit or short stay". This means that your home's architecture is disabled accessible does not isolate your friends or family in wheelchairs, but welcomes them and all guests.

New Smart Homes for Dementia Sufferers
Within five years innovative "smart" sensing systems that will help the UK's 700,000 dementia sufferers live independently at home could be available commercially. Once installed, the systems are designed to closely monitor people's movements and actions around the home. As well as providing voice-prompts (e.g. reminders to turn off a tap or cooker), they can also directly switch lights or appliances on and off in order to eliminate potential dangers.

Creating a Feng Shui Home Design
Feng shui can be used to get your house is in order and to ultimately make it a sanctuary where you feel de-stressed and relaxed. Further, it is claimed that it will literally set your life up for greater wealth, happiness, and even romance. The basics are just that, basic. The primary focus should be on how your house looks and feels upon approach. This includes the outer decor and landscaping, as much as it does the interior.

Disabled Bathrooms and Disability Safety
A disabled bathroom compartment has to meet the needs of all disabled people and offer safe transfer both on and off the toilet for wheelchair users. The serious lack of facilities such as drop down grab rails and support rails not only makes using these facilities difficult if not impossible, it makes them dangerous and puts the disabled person as risk.

Renovations to Accommodate Accessible Baths
Fitting an accessible walk in bathtub with a door and low entry step providing independent bathing for those with limited mobility. Contractor Steve Francey transforms a small space in a retired couple’s home into the bathroom of their dreams to accommodate their limited mobility for about the same cost as a standard bathroom.

Wheelchair Accessible Construction
Every year, thousands of people worldwide suffer from diseases or injuries that require them to use a wheelchair. What type of impact does this have on society? If you are the loved one of one of those who must use a wheelchair, you may need to perform wheelchair accessible construction on the home to make it easier for them to move around and reach things.

Accessible Home Design Tips for Independence
Everyone needs to be able to get in and out of the residence safely in case of an emergency. It's best to have at least 2 entries/exits for different escape routes. Maybe an accessible ramp or lift is required to avoid steps. We don't go up steps to enter the grocery store and we shouldn't need to go up steps to get into our homes. To achieve a 0-step entry there are a few ways to achieve this.

Universal Home Design
Over the last few years, the concept of Universal House Design has become quite popular, and is basically, a design trend focused on accommodating special needs of aging and/or physically challenged occupants. Typically, universal design house plans offer wide hallways and easy access to bedrooms and bathrooms and is becoming more and more important, driven by demographic trends.

Accessible Home Inspections by Qualified Inspectors
If you are thinking of buying a house or apartment a home inspection is a must. Qualified home inspectors assure your home is structurally sound, accessible, and safe. In order to do this you will need to thoroughly investigate each home you are considering purchasing to avoid unnecessary renovations.

Disabled Access in Dual Occupancy Housing Australia
Until recently, Australian dual occupancy complexes were not designed or built to provide disabled access in terms of wheelchair access, ramps and landings, door widths, continuous travel paths, corridor widths, parking spaces and garages, lighting, alarm systems and toilets.

Accessibility Requirements for Fair Housing
Federal Fair Housing accessibility requirements for new multifamily buildings should be written in building code language certified as Fair Housing compliant by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD should be vigilant in compliance education and assistance as is NAHB. Use of Fair Housing Initiatives Program funding for enforcement actions should be curtailed. Any enforcement actions should be reasonable and reflect the lack of clear guidance available for complying with the Act.

Home Accessibility and Safety for Seniors
When seniors have to cope with health-related issues and safety concerns; some may chose to move into a place that is more accessible, but others will remain in the same home, even when it is not always in their best interest.

Home Modification Tips for Wheelchair Accessibility
At any point in your life you or someone in your family may need the assistance of a wheelchair to get around. You probably don’t have a home that is wheelchair accessible, but if the need arises you will need to make the changes. There are lots of tips that will help you make your home wheelchair accessible.