Top 7 Home Modifications For Disabled People Who Use a Wheelchair
Home modifications for disabled people are necessary for a safe and comfortable home life. Home improvements will not only make the disabled person's life a lot easier, but they also make independent living possible, lessening their reliance on others.
Though some home modifications involve a significant upfront investment, others are simple changes that still make a big difference. Home modifications for wheelchair users typically involve things like widening passageways, lowering the amenities, providing assistance with transfers, and creating a completely “rollable” terrain.
1. Grab Bars
Handicapped grab bars help people with a range of different disabilities. Installing grab bars next to the toilet, or in the bathtub or shower, offers safety and stability when transferring from one surface to another. Installing grab bars is also one of the most common aging-in-place home modifications for elderly people.
Different Types of Grab Bars
Vertical grab bars help with balance when standing up.
Horizontal grab bars help when sitting or standing, or to grab onto in the event of a fall.
Angled grab bars can help people pull themselves up from a seated position.
2. Widened Doors and Corridors
Making doorways and hallways accessible for wheelchairs and other kinds of mobility equipment is an important step for making the house safer and easier to navigate. Making your doorways wheelchair-accessible requires you to expand the space to allow a wheelchair to pass through comfortably.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires doorways to be at least 32 inches wide and corridors and hallways to be at least 36 inches wide. Check with your local building authorities before starting any significant structural work.
3. Home Elevators, Vertical Platform Lifts, and Dumbwaiters
Devices that help disabled people (and their belongings) move between different levels in the home are essential for safety and independence. Pushing a wheelchair up stairs manually isn’t only cumbersome but also dangerous, and these modifications can help.
Home Elevator
A home elevator is a premium facility that, although comfortable and safe, takes up a lot of space and is a significant investment. A home elevator can also take several months to install but may raise the value of your property once it’s complete.
Vertical Platform Lift
Vertical platform lifts can be installed inside or outside, and are similar to elevators in the way that they lift and lower a wheelchair user between levels. Unlike an elevator, a vertical platform lift isn't totally enclosed. For that reason, it tends to be a more economical option and requires much less time to install.
Dumbwaiter
Installing a dumbwaiter can help people with disabilities move items between floors without having to carry them, or balance them on their lap if they are in a wheelchair. For example, a dumbwaiter can be used to move items between the laundry room and the bedroom or to transport groceries from the garage or basement to the kitchen.
4. Roll-In Showers and Tubs
Making the bathroom accessible for disabled people is very important. For wheelchair users, curbless showers allow them to enter the shower in their wheelchair. Grab bars installed in the shower can then be used to help the wheelchair user transfer safely to a shower seat.
5. Wheelchair Ramps
Ramps can be used by wheelchair users, people with mobility or balance problems, and people who use other kinds of mobility devices like a rollator or cane. Ramps come in portable and permanent varieties, as well as different sizes, and are typically used when there are a few steps leading up to the front door or patio.
6. Automatic Door Openers
These can be installed throughout the house to make it easier to go from room to room. Doors are opened via a remote control or Bluetooth device and can be activated from a distance of around six feet. Automatic door openers for the front door have added security features to ensure your safety at home.
7. Changes to the Flooring
To allow a wheelchair to roll around easily, it’s advisable to replace thick carpets and throw rugs with smooth surfaces like hardwood flooring, vinyl, or ceramic tiles. It’s also important for the floor to be free from clutter and objects that could puncture a wheelchair tire or become damaged if they were to be rolled over accidentally.
Home Accessibility Modifications Are a Legal Right
"Reasonable modifications" for home accessibility are a legal right according to the Fair Housing Act, which states that necessary structural changes can be made to houses or apartments to allow full use of the space by a person with disabilities—even in a rented space.
Though making your home accessible is a right, it's still essential to apply for the relevant permissions before making any structural changes to your home. Be sure to check with the Department of Housing and Urban Development before investing in significant home improvements.
Financial Assistance for Home Accessibility Modifications
If the cost of modifying your home is prohibitive, you may be able to receive financial assistance from a government agency or community nonprofit. You may also be eligible for a bank loan to cover the cost of the required accessibility modifications.
Federal grants. There are several federal grants that can help homeowners with the cost of making their homes accessible. Disabled veterans in particular have a wide range of options.
State government grants. Individual states also offer grants for accessibility-related home improvements. These vary from state to state, so you should check with the relevant state agency for advice.
Community development departments. Many cities or towns offer grants through local departments specializing in community development.
Nonprofit organizations. There are many nonprofit organizations that can help with the costs associated with home modifications. For guidance, ask at your local chamber of commerce or agency on aging.
Low-interest loans. Alternatively, if you don't qualify for a grant, low-interest loans from the FHA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac may help you with the initial cost of renovations.
Other options. Other options include home equity conversion, conversion mortgages, or reverse mortgages that allow homeowners to pay for renovations using the equity in their home.
Home Modifications for Disabled People Can Make Your Life Easier
A professional contractor will be able to give you plans and cost estimates for the modifications you need in your home. Our experts in Denver, Colorado, can also advise you on the best options for your specific needs. Be sure to check all the options you have for financial assistance before purchasing equipment or signing a contract with a builder.
Although making significant changes to your home may be a daunting prospect, it's important to see them as a necessary step to maintaining your freedom, independence, and comfort at home. The right home modifications for your personal circumstances will offer you just that.