How to Make Your Home Wheelchair Accessible
Navigating through the world day-to-day in a wheelchair can be difficult. From bulky chairs that make movement cumbersome to buildings lacking accessible entryways, there’s no shortage of challenges.
One place you should never have to worry about accessibility is your home.
Whether you’ve recently transitioned to life in a wheelchair or your current layout just no longer meets your needs, creating a more accessible household is an essential task. Follow these steps to ensure your home meets your specific needs.
What Do You Need?
First and foremost, you need to carefully consider what you need to make life in your home as natural and easy as possible. If you’re purchasing or designing a new home or just looking to make improvements to your current residence, make a list of the items that you absolutely have to have.
Now, this may not be as easy as it sounds. If you’re new to a wheelchair, you may be unsure what you need to change. If you haven’t updated your home in some time, then you may be unaware of new technology and devices that can help make your home more accessible.
Some items you might want to consider include:
- Entry ramps
- Ramps for steps throughout your home
- A stair lift for two-story homes
- Bathroom modifications
- Accessible furniture and appliances
- Home automation technology like alarm systems and smart home tools
It’s incredibly important to note how beneficial strategically placed levels in your home can be too. Rooms like kitchens are designed primarily for standing individuals, making it very difficult for wheelchair users to perform essential tasks. A specially built accessible kitchen can rectify these issues, as well as a level system which allows you to move up an incline to reach items.
Once you’ve made your own personal list of needs, your next step is to reach out to experts who can help you make your home more accessible.
Relying on Outside Help
So, who should you reach out to?
There are likely contractors and companies in your area that specialize in accessible home modifications or construction. To find them, you can simply search for accessible home builders in your area, or use a service like this Home Advisor tool which allows you to immediately find contractors and professionals who can help you with your specific needs.
In addition, an occupational therapist with experience in home modifications can help guide you, providing practical tips and guidance on technical solutions. Speak with your physician or physical therapist to receive a recommendation.
A Wheelchair That Fits Your Space
Finally, once all is said and done, you need to find a wheelchair that minimizes the challenges of navigating your home .
Our REVO Slim-Line has been specifically designed to make getting around your house as easily as possible. While home modifications are an essential step, if your house features narrow hallways or tight corners, then there’s only so much you can do short of tearing down walls.
For reference, standard doorways per ADA accessibility standards in America should have a width of 32 inches, but many older homes in particular fall below that with a width ranging from 22—28.5 inches.
The REVO Slim features a width of only 21.5 inches, allowing you to get through these tight spaces with no difficulty at all.
You may be thinking that this slim size leads to reduced comfort, but with a 3 inch padded seat cushion and proven contoured back support, this extra mobility doesn’t mean a sacrifice in comfort.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of the REVO Slim-Line, then please click here. And if you’d just like to chat about wheelchair solutions for your home and travel needs, contact us today.