How to Make the Whole Home Wheelchair Friendly Widening doorways makes your home more accessible, but you will need to make additional modifications throughout the rest of the home, especially for multi-story buildings that may require wheelchair access to upper-floor bedrooms and other spaces. The exception to this rule is for sliding glass doors leading to the outside, which may have a maximum height of 3/4-inch for the threshold. Do not build thresholds higher than 1/2-inch to adhere to ADA regulations. Thresholds across doorways need to have a rounded surface to allow a wheelchair to smoothly pass over them. For example, lever handles are easier to open than knobs. Replace doorknobs with handles that a person can open single-handedly. ![]() Doors should not have hardware that requires twisting or firm gripping. Included in these guidelines are instructions for doors and doorways. The ADA outlines requirements to make businesses and public places fully accessible to all. When widening doorways, also look at the new doors you will install and their hardware. For example, if you need to install 32-inch-wide doors, cut the opening to 34 inches wide. When cutting a new doorway, add two inches to the door width you want to add to account for the size of the frame. If you need to resize the door openings, you will have to remove the existing frame as well as the door. Small doorways will need widening because their existing width is too small for a wheelchair to maneuver through them. However, half-bath doors generally are much narrower, with a distance between 25 and 30 inches wide. Inside the home, standard doors for hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms measure 34 inches wide. You may need to widen the back or side door of your home. Commonly found exterior doors measure anywhere between 28 inches and 32 inches. For example, while the International Residential Code mandates a 36-inch-wide by 80-inch-tall opening for the main entry door, these measurements do not apply to the back or side doors. Standard doorway widths may not fulfill minimum accessibility requirements. Always check with your local building regulations before beginning any remodeling projects. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires doorways to have a minimum of 32 inches of width with the door open. ![]() Some codes require 34-inch-wide exterior doors and 32-inch-wide interior doors. The width of a wheelchair typically ranges between 25 to 36 inches. Doorways need to be wide enough to ensure ample space for a wheelchair to maneuver through openings. Making your doorways more accessible may require you to expand the space. Just a few changes to the design will be valuable investments in yourself and your home. Making your home more accessible increases safety and livability. For all these areas, always measure the alterations to ensure they meet the recommended guidelines for accessibility. Focusing on these places maximizes the mobility around the home for the wheelchair user and others. The major areas that need changes include doorways, corridors, stairs, kitchens and bathrooms. ![]() Universal design can help people to remain in their homes even as they age. As the name suggests, universal design principles create spaces for everyone, regardless of height, ability or age. You can hire someone to make these changes or take a DIY approach, depending on your level of home improvement skills.Īpplying universal design principles to your home will ensure everyone, including wheelchair users, can use the home for years to come. Steps to Make a Home Wheelchair FriendlyĪ wheelchair-friendly home allows a person in a wheelchair to go through their daily routine as efficiently as possible. Make sure you cover all the areas that need modification with this wheelchair accessibility through this checklist. Many updates do not require drastic changes to your home’s appearance. You can improve the accessibility of your home with minor modifications.
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