AD – This is a collaborative post

Accessibility is hugely important to talk about and I think now more than ever, people are being vocal about the need for accessibility. Of course that’s always been the case but now, where social media is so prevalent and our voices can actually get HEARD, it’s the ideal time and place to talk about accessibility and the problems surrounding it as well.

Photo by Chastity Cortijo on Unsplash

I think we’ve all been in a situation where we’ve noticed accessibility problems. Either with ourselves or with a friend or loved one. Going out for the day with a disabled friend and finding the locations un-accessible. Or perhaps an elderly grandparent who struggles to get around due to health reasons. It’s incredibly common. So that does make you question why accessibility is such a problem in some areas, homes or buildings.

So today we’re going to look at some ways in which we can make our homes more accessible. This might be helpful if you have friends or family who are disabled who visit you regularly, elderly relatives who visit your house often and find some aspects of getting around difficult or maybe for yourself.

Whatever the case, here are some different ways to make your home more accessible. They pointers will vary is effectiveness and contain some smaller adjustments you can make as well as some bigger renovations which might be necessary given the circumstances.

Having a ramp to get into the house

If your house has a lot of steps or perhaps a couple of steep steps leading up to the front door, then this could be one main and very obvious aspect of inaccessibility. Some houses are built now with level access to the front door which is great and a win-win for everyone. Even if you don’t need accessibility adjustments, it won’t affect you.

Add hand rails and grab bars where necessary

Perhaps up a staircase, near the back door, by the toilets and most definitely in the shower and bath. This is a pretty minor adjustment in the grand scheme of things but can make the world of difference. They help with stability and give that extra reassurance to those who need them.

Consider a home lift

This is obvious a pretty major renovation but it could completely change the game for those who need extra accessibility. Domestic house lifts are a smart investment to make every day life easier for those that need them. There are a ton of styles to choose from as well, so you can even have a luxury feel to your home lift!

Simply re-arrange for accessibility

This is a super easy but important way to increase accessibility in your home and that’s to just re-arrange things for accessibility purposes. Think about your kitchen cupboards and moving every day objects into a space that’s easy to reach (perhaps low down for a wheelchair user or somewhere that doesn’t require you to reach up high).

Consider changing doorknobs

Doorknobs can be difficult to use for some people with certain issues or for elderly people who may have arthritis. Door handles are much easier to grip and use, so if it’s possible, consider changing doorknobs. Don’t forget the faucets on your sinks too.

Clear the floor

Tripping hazards are a huge risk for those who need extra accessibility. Whether that’s with a wheelchair, a stick, a walker or even someone with reduced eyesight. Consider removing rugs and mats for them and ensure all areas of the floor in which you’d be walking are clear e.g no dog or kids toys left lying around!

Have a step in shower

Maneuvering over the bath can be a huge problem for those with accessibility problems. So if it’s someone who lives in your home or stays in your home regularly, you might want to re-think how your main bathroom is set up and consider a step in shower for their ease.

Do you have anything to add to this post? How would you make your home more accessible?

17 Comments

  1. This is such an important topic. Even if its just needed when people come to visit. I grew up in an accessible house and didn’t notice the difference until a moved out. You’ve mentioned so many helpful tips.

  2. I never really thought about this but I plan to keep my home for the rest of my life. A lot of these I’ll have to implement if I want to keep living there well into my elderly years. I already got the door handle on the front door! 😂

  3. This is such an important topic! My grandmother can’t walk that well and she isn’t able to visit my house, since it has a staircase up to the second floor, no lift or ramp. I did show her pictures, but I would love it if she’d be able to visit.

  4. Funny you should mention doorknobs because before lockdown, my Dad went and changed all my grandmas because she had started to struggle to open doors!

  5. Oddly enough, after seeing my Mum struggle so much in her bungalow before she passed, I looked at my own home and wondered seriously how long we could manage in our ‘forever home’

    The house is over 3 floors and its hard work now getting about if you’ve got things to carry to the top floor bedroom. We are lucky in the sense of space in our home and the access to the property is great but I do worry. There is definitely a lot to think about here when the time comes but it is amazing how some simple changes could make life a lot easier x

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