How to Make Simple Wheelchair Accessibility Modifications to Your Home

Indoors

• 1

  Remove loose carpets or rugs.

• 2

  Change doorknobs to lever-type handles.

• 3

  Replace narrow doors with pocket doors or even curtains.

• 4

  Move furniture to allow at least a 32-inch path and a 5-foot turning radius.

• 5

  Add a 36-inch string to each door handle. A wheelchair user can use this to pull the door closed when moving through the doorway.

• 6

  Add furniture coasters or decorated, small blocks of wood to raise tables and desks above knee level.

• 7

  Tack or glue down small, wedge-shaped pieces of wood or metal to serve as mini ramps over high door thresholds.

• 8

  Use drop leaf, roll-away carts for kitchen work areas.

• 9

  Change bathroom vanity-style sink fixtures to pedestal types.

• 10

  Change the toilet to a taller, narrower handicapped toilet to permit access by commode wheelchair.

• 11

  Install grab bars as necessary in the bathroom.

• 12

  Install a nonslip floor in the bathroom.

• 13

  Install a hose/nozzle system in the shower.

• 14

  Put in a water-powered ascending/descending tub seat.

• 15

  Install lever handles on kitchen and bathroom sinks.

• 16

  Consider changing appliances to front-control, front-access types.

• 17

  Plan an emergency exit for the wheelchair user.

Outdoors

• 18

  Install a ramp for at least one entrance/exit of the dwelling. The ramp should be built at no more than a 1-to-12 gradient.

• 19

  Convert gravel walks to concrete for all-weather access.

• 20

  Construct ramp access to the garage or carport to allow sheltered entrance into and exit from a vehicle.

• 21

  Move the mailbox to an accessible point.