Creating an Accessible Haven: A Guide to Home Modifications

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 15 Jul 2009 - Updated: 28 Sep 2024
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Related Content

Synopsis

This article discusses how to make a home accessible and visitable for people with disabilities, particularly those using wheelchairs or with mobility impairments. It outlines three essential areas for accessibility: a zero-step entrance, wide doorways (at least 32 inches) for clear passage, and a main floor bathroom. The article emphasizes the benefits of universal design, including welcoming all guests, accommodating aging family members, and increasing home value. It also provides practical suggestions for modifications, such as constructing ramps, changing door hinges, and widening doorways. The overall message is that with some effort and investment, homeowners can create a more inclusive and convenient living space for everyone, not just those with disabilities..

Overview

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".

Make Your Home Visitable

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.

Welcome all of your guests, even if they use wheelchairs, walkers, or have some other mobility impairment such as stiffness, weakness or poor balance. When you take a few steps to change key areas of your house your mobility limited guests will not be isolated by your home's architecture.

There are three essential areas of your home that need changes to make it visitable:

• One entrance needs to have zero steps.
• Entry and bathroom doors (and any door in between) need to have at least 32" for clear passage.
• At least a half bath (preferably a full bath) on the main floor.

Universal Design Benefits

What are the benefits of making your home more disability accessible and visitable, presently called Universal Design?

• Your home welcomes everyone. Having a card party, holiday gathering, or special occasion? Think of those who can not attend because of the inconvenience of entering your home or using necessary facilities.
• If a family member develops a disability though illness, accident or aging the person, and you, will be able to remain in your existing home, rather than having to move to another house or a nursing home.
• Everyone will find it easier to bring in baby strollers, grocery carts, heavy furniture, etc.
• Visitable homes welcome aging parents and provide easy use and convenience for you.
• Visitable homes enhance the sale and resale of your home.
• Imagine how many steps you can avoid in a day if you had a ramp. All these changes are convenient for the homeowner, too.

Disability Accessible Features in a Home

• A ramp can be constructed on a door where access, once in the door, will be the most convenient.
• The bathroom door can be hinged to swing out rather than in to give a person using a wheelchair enough room to shut the door when inside the room.
• There is usually enough wall space to change out your entry and interior doors for a wider door.

If you want to make your home more 'visitable' it takes a little money and elbow grease. The benefit will not just be for all your guests but the satisfaction for yourself that you can now welcome everyone to your disabled accessible home.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.