Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and independent in their own home. For able-bodied people, this likely comes from little changes here and there, but for those with disabilities, everyday things can be a struggle.
Here, we’re going to explain changes that you can make to your home to make it more accessible.
If you’re considering making changes to your home, why not get in touch today to discuss planning applications in Cornwall with one of our trusted team?
External Changes
Some of the ways to make your home accessible may involve more work than others. Some of these bigger changes are the ones that would take place on the exterior of your home.
Ramps
For disabled people, stairs can be a daily challenge even if they’re not using mobility aids. Most new-build homes are now being built with step-free access, allowing easier access for everyone regardless of mobility.
If your home does have steps at the entrance or exit, then the easiest way to make it more accessible is to replace those steps with a ramp. The type of ramp you should get depends on the steps you are looking to replace but you should ensure that any ramp you get has handrails and is made of a non-slip material.
If you yourself are not disabled or you don’t want to replace your steps permanently then you can always look into getting a portable ramp that easily folds up and lies across the steps to make things accessible.
Internal Changes
There are also some changes you can make to the interior of your home to help make it more accessible.
Stairlift
Installing a ramp on the main staircase in your home is likely not a possibility. That’s why a great option for a more accessible home is to have a stairlift fitted.
You can get a variety of different stairlifts that can be installed as either a permanent fixture in your home or you can invest in a portable one.
Flooring
Thick, plush carpets or rugs can be a real hindrance for those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The best choice for accessible flooring is wood as it provides a firm flat surface for easy manoeuvring without any resistance. It’s also much easier to clean.
Make sure that any flooring you have installed is non-slip and durable with enough traction to manoeuvre – particularly in bathrooms.
Bathroom
There are plenty of simple changes you can make in your bathroom to increase its accessibility. By including a lower sink without a cabinet beneath it, you can ensure wheel-chair users can fit beneath to wash their hands without issue.
You can also have grab rails fitted to the walls in key places to help reduce the risk of falls.
Doors
If you’re able-bodied, then the difficulties a door could pose likely haven’t occurred to you. People with disabilities, particularly mobility issues, find that doors can be a daily struggle.
In order to make your home more accessible, consider:
- Widening your doorways so that wheelchairs and mobility scooters can easily fit through and manoeuvre around.
- Changing doors to sliding doors as they’re easy to open and manoeuvre through.
- Changing the handles to either push panels or pull bars that are easier to use and require less strength
You could also consider integrating a door system into your home so main doors can be opened automatically. This can usually be controlled via remote control or a smartphone device. This system can also be paired with an intercom so that you can know who it is at the door before you open it.
Making your home more accessible doesn’t have to be a challenge, and these are only some of the steps you can take towards that goal.
For more information about modifying your home, please get in touch with us today.
