How Can You Make Your Home More Accessible
Having any kind of disability can often present a lot of challenges in a person’s life. From making it harder to get around to adding extra difficulty to their ability to do their job, it often feels like the world ignores those with physical disabilities entirely too often. However, the last place you want to come up against this problem is in your own home. Whether you’ve just moved into somewhere new or you’ve recently found yourself in a position where your mobility is decreased, making sure that your home is a comfortable and accessible place is always important. With that in mind, here are some ways to make your home more accessible.
Install ramps
One of the most changes that you may want to make to your home in order to make it more accessible is to replace the stairs with ramps. The assumption is that ramps are only really there for wheelchair users and, to a certain degree, this is true. However, stairs can be a hazard to plenty of people with physical disabilities, even those who can technically use them. Installing things like a threshold ramp allows everyone to access your home easily and safely. It’s a simple change but one that can make a huge difference.
A stairlift
Speaking of the troubles that steps can cause those with disabilities, the stairs leading from one floor of your home to another likely aren’t going to be able to accommodate a ramp so it may well be a better idea to invest in a stairlift. This might seem like a big change but there are actually a lot of different options available to you when choosing a stairlift. There are options that you install permanently but there are also more on-the-go solutions that you might want to consider. This allows you to ensure that you’re not limited to any areas of your home and neither is anyone else.
Changes to your bathroom
The bathroom can often be the part of the home that presents the greatest obstacles for those with disabilities. Slick tiles can become hazardous when wet and bathtubs and counters are pretty unforgiving for those who are prone to falling or are unsteady on their feet. In particular, your bath might be causing you problems. Things like step-in tubs can make a huge difference by getting rid of the barrier that a lot of people struggle with. Not only is it then easier to get in and out, but safer as well as it reduces the risk of falling.
Of course, making your home more accessible to those with disabilities isn’t just going to be a benefit to yourself or your family, it can help anyone who might come to your home who otherwise requires a little extra assistance with their mobility. The world at large often doesn’t do nearly enough to help those with physical disabilities and making your home a more accessible place not only helps you but allows you to do your part in making it a generally more welcoming and hospitable place.
