Few families ever think of the needs of a member with a physical disability when building a home.
Consequently, people who have to use wheelchairs, for instance, have a difficult time getting around such a home.
That,
however, need not be the case, according to Mr Benson Hinga, a
freelance décor expert who says that, with a few additions, you can make
life much easier for such a person.
“Interior
design for people with disabilities can be a challenge, but you don’t
have to make your house look like a hospital with ramps and holding
rails,” he says. “Where is the space anyway?”
So, with just a few modifications, you can make your home comfortable and functional for a person who uses a wheelchair.
The
trick here, Mr Hinga says, is to plan everything in advance and
customise the home by taking into consideration the needs of the
particular individual.
“The result will still be tasteful and welcoming for the rest of the family members,” he says. Below, his ideas:
Bathroom:
Here,
important additions to help a person who uses a wheelchair include grab
bars, which are “a very necessary addition since you wouldn’t want a
situation where a disabled person slips and falls, given that the floors
of bathrooms or shower cubicles are often wet”. The best grab bars are
made of metal and tend to be pricey, but they are also available in
plastic, and also in a variety of Colours.
If
the bathroom has a bath tub, which is preferable to a shower, then it
is advisable to install a hand-held shower, which is easy to use whether
one is standing or seated. But for a more comfy experience, points Mr
Hinga says, a roll-in shower is a good idea.
Kitchen:
Most kitchen counters are about three feet high, which makes them difficult for a person in a wheelchair to access.
The
solution is to have slightly lower counters. Further, pipes should be
insulated to prevent leg burns, and avoid cabinets under the sink if you
want to make it possible for the wheelchair to slide underneath the
assembly easily.
In addition, since
you need cabinets under the counters, it is important to make them
easily accessible. One way of doing this is having wheeled cabinets
that can be moved around, and ensuring that such cabinets are built in
such a way that they cannot tip over.
As
for the handles, U-shaped pulls are preferable since they are easier to
use compared to round ones, and, for extra storage areas, fix peg
boards waist-high on the wall for hanging utensils and other frequently
used items.
For ease of access to water, a long hose pipe can be attached to the tap.
Doors and Windows:
Doors are a major challenge because they tend to be narrow, necessitating a host of manoeuvres.
To
go around this problem, simply install swing-away hinges as they allow
the door to open completely away from the frame, giving you extra
inches.
For the windows, go for casement types that are opened and closed using a crank that is easily reachable.
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