How to Design a House to Suit the Needs of People with Disabilities?

The designing phase is probably the most important stage of building a house. This is when you make final decisions about the room layout, the arrangement of various appliances and other vital elements that would be challenging or even impossible to change once everything is ready.

While you might be tempted to focus on the looks of the new place, it is essential to keep the functionality in mind, especially if the house also has to suit the needs of people with disabilities who have additional requirements. As such, it is also recommended to work with a reputable Architectural 3D Rendering Company so that you can visualize what you want and determine if it can work.

While certain solutions may be specific to certain disabilities and their levels, there are a few universal ideas to follow when designing a house with accessibility in mind, including accessible bathroom appliances, suitable flooring and doorways, wheelchair-accessible approaches, effortless electrical controls, and so on. You might want to keep reading to learn about all these solutions and more.

Wheelchair-Accessible Approaches and Pathways

Starting from the outside, it is crucial to make the approaches and pathways easy to access. This means leveling the ground and adding ramps, making the ground even with the street, and leaving the same amount of parking space for vehicles to drive up. In addition, it is a good idea to have a curb cut.

The pavement should be rain-friendly, too. Paving or concrete is probably the best choice, as it is durable and allows water to run off. This way, you will never have to worry about the wheelchair being stuck in a puddle. Similarly, you shouldn't use loose gravel or small pebbles, as these might get stuck in the tires of the wheelchair.

Suitable Entrances

The main rule to creating disability-friendly entrances is that the users should be able to enter the house with a minimum of physical effort. One way to do this is to create a roomy, level, and wide doorway. The door should also be placed level to the ground, making it easier to use a wheelchair or a walker, and needs to be wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through effortlessly.

Proper door handles make a big difference. Depending on the disability level, you can use lever or push-button door handles that are easy to reach, open both ways, and are not too heavy. Also, the door should not close automatically, as it may cause problems if the person cannot open and hold it by themselves.

Elevators

If the house is several stories high, for people with limited mobility, an elevator is a must. It might be expensive, but it will make life much easier and ensure that they can access their home and move throughout the house on their own.

Another option is to install a stairlift that can be folded up when not in use. This way, it will not take up any space and can be moved to a storage closet or a basement when it is not needed.

Effortless Electrical Controls

People suffering from muscle weakness or lack of muscle control may find it challenging to use regular electrical controls. For this reason, you must provide easy-to-reach controls that don't require a lot of effort. For example, instead of standard light switches, you can choose push-button switches, which are much easier to use.

Similarly, when it comes to other appliances like the TV, the stereo, and the DVD player, you should choose a device that can be controlled by a remote control, or maybe even a smart home assistant. This way, they will be able to watch the show or set the room temperature with voice commands without lifting a finger.

Accessible Bathrooms

The bathroom is probably the essential room of the house for people with disabilities, as it is where they can take care of their personal hygiene. Therefore, it is a good idea to make it as accessible as possible.

The first thing you should consider is the size and shape of the room. In this case, you should opt for a larger space that allows the wheelchair to turn around easily. The floor should be level and slip-resistant, and the door should have a lever handle that does not require a lot of force.

Next, you should consider the shower or tub. Most experts recommend a shower with an ergonomic showerhead. This way, the occupant won't have to stretch in order to wash their hair or rinse off, and their back won't be forced to maintain an uncomfortable position.

Lastly, you should think about the flooring. It is crucial for it to be slip-resistant so that the person doesn't slip when stepping out of the shower. Also, you should consider installing a sliding shower door, as it won't require as much effort to open and close as curtains.

Well-Thought-Out Table Arrangement

When you are designing the dining area of your house, make sure it can fit a wheelchair. This way, you won't have to worry about the occupant having to eat in the living room or the kitchen. You should also make sure that the table or counter is high enough for the person to reach the plate and the food and that there is enough space on either side of the table for them to push themselves around.

If the person in mind has a different type of disability, it is good to make sure they will find the table arrangement comfortable. For example, if the person has a bad back, you should choose a chair with a backrest. Also, you should make sure that the seating is at a right angle to the table so that they can reach the plates easily.

In Conclusion

These are some valuable tips for how to design a house with solutions suitable for people with disabilities. Of course, it is vital to keep in mind that each occupant has their own needs and that everyone's disability is different from the other. Therefore, if you have a specific question about designing a house for a person with a particular disability, you should ask a specialist.

The ideas mentioned above are based on general experiences and should be used as a starting point for your own solutions. The result will make your family member or friend more comfortable and happy!