{"id":45125,"date":"2023-01-11T12:55:41","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T12:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/?p=45125"},"modified":"2023-07-06T10:42:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T09:42:26","slug":"how-to-make-your-home-wheelchair-accessible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/how-to-make-your-home-wheelchair-accessible","title":{"rendered":"How to make your home wheelchair accessible"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Most homes aren\u2019t built to incorporate the needs of wheelchair users. Standard doors aren\u2019t wide enough, bathrooms don\u2019t come with handrails, and steps don\u2019t have ramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, this blog aims to help homeowners who are looking to make their non-accessible property more wheelchair friendly by outlining the main areas to renovate in order to ensure your home is safe to navigate in a wheelchair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Doors, hallways and stairs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For a wheelchair to pass through a doorway, it should be a minimum of 32\u201d wide (36\u201d wide to pass through comfortably). However, many standard residential doorways are under 30\u201d, so you may need to widen your doorways to make them accessible for a wheelchair user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thresholds can also be tricky for wheelchair users, as they need to build momentum in order to get over the threshold, and this can cause injuries or added strain. Reducing the height of thresholds or replacing them with cushioned ones can help minimise this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As with all doors around your house, you might want to consider getting door handles that are wheelchair user friendly, since doorknobs are difficult to use for those with muscle atrophy. Lever style door handles are the best option, especially when they are lowered for a wheelchair user. To make things even easier, you can also consider getting automatic doors installed, which completely remove the need for handles that might be tricky to navigate with mobility problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If your home has stairs, then you will need to install a staircase lift to help the wheelchair user access the upstairs area. Staircase lifts come in a range of models, and can accommodate a lot of different types of staircases, so don\u2019t worry if yours has lots of bends or is very steep. If you have steps going up to your home or inside of it, then ramps are the best way to help a wheelchair user move around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also want to clear your hallways of any obstacles, including shoe racks and side tables, especially if your hallways are narrow, as this will further help the wheelchair user navigate their way around the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bathrooms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Standard bathrooms are not designed with wheelchair access in mind. In fact, retrofitting a wheelchair friendly bathroom can sometimes be tricky, with potential plumbing changes if there are immovable barriers in your bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For a wheelchair user to be able to turn 360 degrees, your bathroom needs to be at least 59\u201d, or 1500mm. Bigger bathrooms are easier to remodel for a wheelchair, though you should still be able to make a small bathroom accessible, despite the obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to toilets, 17-19\u201d is considered a comfortable height to allow for easy movement to and from a wheelchair. In order to turn your toilet into a wheelchair friendly one, you could consider buying a taller toilet, or a wall mounted toilet that you can have installed at your chosen height. Toilets with an elevated base are also good here, as are plastic seat inserts that raise the overall height of the toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also recommended that you install two grab bars on either side of the toilet, no further than 36\u201d apart. Try and accommodate as much space as possible around the toilet to make it easier for the wheelchair user to transfer to the toilet and back in their chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the shower you already have is accessible (at least 36\u201d), then you can modify it for a wheelchair user by adding a shower seat and grab bars to allow for safe movement around the shower. In some cases, you might have to reinforce the wall around the grab bars. The floor of the shower should be a non-slip, textured surface. Ideally, opt for a handheld shower head, and have towels and other personal items stored nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you have space for a bathtub, then a walk-in tub is the best option, allowing the wheelchair user to enter the bathtub without having to climb over the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bathroom sink needs to have enough space underneath it to allow the wheelchair user to fit their legs underneath and get close enough to the sink (at least 27\u201d is recommended). Hands-free or single lever faucets are preferable, as are side-mounted ones. You might also want to consider faucets with sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, make sure your hand towels are at wheelchair height and that your mirror is just above sink height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bedrooms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several ways you can make a bedroom more accessible for a wheelchair user, so that they can navigate their private space comfortably and safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, you might want to consider remodelling your bedroom storage spaces, especially your wardrobes, which tend to be too high up for a wheelchair user. Pull-down rods are the best option for hanging clothes, though you could also move your rods completely and have them fixed at a lower height. Floor shelving is also a good idea for folded clothes and other items. You might also want to remove the doors from your wardrobes so that they\u2019re even more wheelchair-accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The bed itself should be between 17″ and 23\u201d above the floor, and shouldn\u2019t have any borders, as this can make it harder to align a wheelchair right next to the mattress. Portable lifts or handrails can help a wheelchair user get into and out of bed, as can installing an electric bed which can be adjusted by height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A nightstand near the head of the bed with a touch lamp or conveniently placed light switch will also make it easier for a wheelchair user to switch the lights off when they are in bed. You may also want to consider installing a panic button or another type of contact system, in case of an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flooring<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to flooring, there are a few components that you\u2019ll want to consider. The most important is that the floor is easy to manoeuvre in a wheelchair. Easy to maintain and slip resistant materials are best, as is flooring that doesn\u2019t wear down easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The best options are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n