If you are planning to shift houses, or re-design your home to accommodate a wheelchair, David, a C6 quadriplegic who has been living independently for over 20 years, has some personal advice and tips on how he chose his apartment and how he designed it to meet his needs. He has lived in several different types of accommodations, including college dormitories, a three-bedroom house in the country, and is currently residing in an apartment.
He has two main priorities when choosing a home – location and sunlight. Location is key to David, as he prefers to live near facilities and places he frequents, such as his workplace and other recreational venues. He also enjoys being out in the sun a lot, and being able to do so lifts his spirits up. Therefore, he recommends that you need to figure out which external factors are important to you when choosing your house. With those priorities settled, you can then modify the interior of your house to suit your own preference and functionality.
During times when David did not wish to spend too much money on renovation, he selected homes that already came with flat grounds and roll-in showers. Other times when he decided to do a full renovation to his house, he made modifications to the entryways and doors, floor, bathroom, and kitchen.
Top recommendations for home accessibility renovations:
- For the entryways: modifying the back entry by adding a new deck or driveway often allows easier access into a house. David recommends modifying the back door entry rather than the front as it is usually simpler to rebuild and more cost-efficient. For doors, choose kinds that are easy to open and close, such as sliding doors or doors with D handles. Also consider replacing any carpet with a flat surface, like wood, for easy rolling.
- For the bathroom: David recommends installing tiled flooring. You can then install such necessities as a toilet, shower, and vanity in the corners of the room to open up the space in the bathroom for easier maneuvering.
- For the kitchen: Consider cupboards and drawers occupying one side of the wall. The other two sides for cooking – one side will be a bench for preparation and small cooking equipment like a combination microwave/conventional oven, while the other is for the sink, cook top, and other appliances on top. David likes to keep the bottom space empty so that he can fit his legs under the counters while he prepares his food.
With a suitable location and necessary modifications, it’s possible to live both happily and independently!