Make your home accessible to the disabled, here's how to do it!
Photos by: Freepik
A car accident or any other incident in which you are seriously injured can be traumatic in many ways. In addition to the physical and emotional suffering you suffered as a result of your accident, you can also incur significant medical and legal costs. The financial impact is compounded by lost wages if you cannot work while you recover from your injuries. ON Personal Injury Lawyer in Youngstown can relieve you of the stress and paperwork associated with filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries and costs. If you are permanently disabled as a result of your accident, there are several factors to consider when adapting to your changed mobility. One of these factors is the accessibility of your home. Here are some tips on how to make your home more accessible for people with disabilities.
Rethink stairs
One of the most common ways people can make their homes more accessible is to replace stairs with ramps. Stairs are difficult or even impossible for many people, including people in wheelchairs, people who use strollers or canes, and people who have fractures, nerve damage, or paralysis. If you have a disability, having stairs at the entrance to your home can mean that you cannot enter your home at all. Entrance stairs can be replaced with permanently installed metal or wooden ramps or even portable, collapsible ramps.
However, steps that lead to your home are not the only stairs to reevaluate. If you already live in a single story house or apartment building with an elevator, you might not need to make any changes to the location of your bedroom and bathroom. However, if you live in a two-story house, you will need access to a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. If your home doesn't already have a first floor bedroom and bathroom, it may mean converting an existing space into a bedroom and adding or installing a bathroom. Other options to consider include installing a stair lift or elevator, or moving to a handicapped accessible home if you don't want to cover the renovation costs associated with these adjustments.
Change the bathroom
Bathrooms can be especially dangerous and difficult to navigate for people with disabilities. You should install handrails next to the toilet and in the shower or bathtub. A step-in tub is much safer than a traditional bathtub, and the showers can be extended to provide more space. Now, if you are in a wheelchair, you may need to replace your sink or vanity with a lower one that is easier to reach. Placing the faucet on the side of the sink or having no cabinets under the sink can also make the vanity more accessible for daily chores too.
Hallways and doors
The ADA recommends Doors should be at least 30 inches wide, thresholds should be half an inch or less, door handles or handles should be one-handed and at a reasonable height for someone in a wheelchair to reach, and no objects should be allowed to obstruct a door on both sides. Corridors should be at least 60 cm wide. You may also want to remove carpets from your home, as bare surfaces such as wood, tile, or linoleum are easier to navigate with a wheelchair or walker.
Contact the experts
While ADA regulations This only applies to public buildings. The website is helpful when making changes to your home. There are also organizations like United Disabilities Services This can evaluate your home, make recommendations, and complete the design and construction required to make your home more accessible. You may also be able to apply for grants, such as Self-sufficiency allowance for modest needs to cover the cost of renovating or upgrading your home.
