10 Tips to Make Your Home Handicap Friendly

If you have a family member who is disabled, it’s important to support independent living and make sure they have access to their home. The following tips will help you do just that.

Make the driveway and walkway wider

Make the driveway and walkway wider. If you have a wheelchair, you will want to make sure that your walkway is wide enough for a wheelchair. It should also be level so that someone who needs assistance can easily get in and out of their car. A ramp can be used to make your driveway accessible if it isn’t already. Also, if there’s an incline on your driveway or in front of the house, consider using a handrail to help someone with mobility issues get up and down safely.

If you are building a new home or adding onto an existing one, consider installing a handicap-accessible door at the entrance so that it’s easier for people with wheelchairs or other mobility issues to enter your home without having to climb stairs or go through narrow hallways that could cause accidents while entering or leaving the house

Add ramps to the entrances of your home

Ramps are an effective and easy way to make your home more accessible for people with mobility issues. They can be used both inside and out, and they can be made of wood, metal or concrete. The type of ramp you choose will depend on your preferences and needs—it’s entirely up to you.

If you’re looking for a ramp that goes up, there are several styles available:

• A standard stairway ramp is typically made from plywood or metal studs (like in this example). It can be purchased online or at any local hardware store.
• A foldable wooden ladder is another option that may work well if space is limited (as it folds away when not needed).​

Lower light switches and cabinets

You can lower the height of most cabinets and light switches by removing the bottom drawer or shelf. This will make it easier for you to reach and use those items, as well. If a cabinet is too high for you to reach, grab a step stool from the garage. If you need help sitting down or standing up from somewhere like a sofa or chair, try using one with arms attached so that it’s easier for you to get on and off easily. A cane or walker can also help give you more stability when walking around your home if balance is an issue for you.

Just remember that it’s important not to overdo these adjustments: When in doubt, ask someone else who knows how much work goes into making your house ADA-compliant and how much time they think they’ll save by doing something themselves versus hiring an expert.

Install grab bars in the bathroom

Grab bars should be installed in your bathroom at the back of the tub and shower. They are a good way to help people get in and out of the shower or tub. You should also install grab bars at least 18 inches from the wall, and 36 inches from the floor.

Remove throw rugs and clutter

These items can easily be tripped over, and they can also lead to a fall if you’re carrying something heavy. This also applies to stairs; keep them clear of shoes, toys and other items that may trip someone up when they’re walking up or down the stairs.

Keep your home free of tripping hazards. Be sure to remove all shoes from the entryway before entering your home, as well as keep walkways clear of any clutter that might obstruct someone with limited mobility who is trying to move around inside the house without help from others (such as an older family member or friend).

Adjust countertop heights in the kitchen

The countertops in your kitchen should be no higher than 34 inches, and no lower than 30 inches. The sink is a must-have, but it doesn’t have to be so close to the floor that you need to bend over just to use it. Countertops should be between 4 and 6 inches taller than the sink so that you can reach them easily from either side.

If you have stairs in your home, make sure that there are handrails on both sides of each step for easy access by older adults or those with limited mobility. You may also want to consider including railings along hallways that lead to stairs or other high areas of your house (such as an attic).

Replace existing door handles with lever handles

A lever handle is easier to grip and more stable than a standard handle. Lever handles are also more accessible for people with limited hand strength or who have arthritis, as well as those who have limited finger movement and range of motion.

Add flood lights on the exterior of the home

Adding lights on the exterior of your home can provide safety and security for you and your family. Consider installing flood lights to illuminate the front and back of the house. Motion-activated lights are good choices if you want to illuminate pathways, steps or driveways without having to worry about turning them on yourself. Floodlights with photocells that come on at dusk and stay on all night are also good options if you want extra security in dark areas around your home.

Install motion-activated sensors on exterior lights

Motion-activated sensors are easy to install and inexpensive. They work in all weather and are easy to program, so you can use them in any room of your home, whether it’s an outdoor porch or a kitchen pantry.

These sensors can be used with any type of light, including incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs and LED lights. You can even make them work with coloured bulbs that are designed to change colours after dark.

Use a rubber mat in the shower or bathtub

This is a simple item that can make a big difference. A rubber mat in the shower or bathtub will protect your floor, making it easier for you to get in and out of the shower or tub without slipping. It will also help prevent falls from occurring if you do slip, which may be more likely due to balance issues caused by your disability. You can use a rubber mat outside of the bathroom too, such as at your kitchen sink where water spills often occur and could cause injury if someone slips on them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making your home handicap friendly is about making it as easy for people with disabilities to navigate and use. There are many ways to do this, from simple changes like adding grab bars in the bathroom or widening doorways, to more extreme renovations like adding ramps or widening hallways. The most important thing is that you take into account the needs of those who need mobility assistance before doing anything else.