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Accessibility and Assistive Technology

HMN: General Information

By Jennifaye V. Brown, MSPT, NCS

 

Last Updated:

General Guidelines
 
This section should contain:
 
1. General Guidelines
2. Money-saving recommendations 
3. Notebook paper for making notes, lists of what to purchase, etc.

General Guidelines

• Smoke detector needed in all rooms.
• Night lights in all rooms and halls.
• Glare free lighting inside home.
• Light controls: press instead of flip switch; 44/48 inches maximum height.
• Automatic sensor light at entry way.
• Doors: open 90 degrees; minimum of 32 inches wide or 4-6 inches wider than wheelchair rims; use retractable doors if possible; use a kick plate to protect it from marks made by wheelchair leg rests; maximum 5 lb force to open door.
• Minimum width of halls – 48 inches.
• Electrical outlets minimum 18 inches from floor.
• Use an interface touch switch to turn on/off lamps, appliances, electronic equipment, etc.
• Thermostats minimum 44 inches from floor.
• A minimum of one window per room should be modified for easy opening in case of emergency (e.g. push out with a lever); windowsills minimum 18 inches from floor.
• Use adjustable height shelving and rods for clothing in closet – minimum 3 feet height from floor; drawers/cabinet doors use loop handle pulls or horizontal handles – lever type.

Money Saving Recommendations

Before you hire a contractor, assess what you can do yourself to save money and perform with the help of family and friends.

1. Change circular doorknobs to horizontal handles.
2. Remove carpet if covering hardwoods; smooth, firm, low piling carpet is easier to maneuver in a manual wheelchair; eliminate throw rugs – in critical areas like the bathroom use double side tape or nonskid material to secure in place; avoid waxed slick floors.
3. Remove doorsills.
4. Purchase a drop arm commode to be positioned next to the bed.
5. Purchase a tub bench.
6. Remove sliding doors of the tub/shower and add a rod with a curtain; sew on Velcro strips and apply adhesive hook-eye to wall so that curtain can stay secure during bathing.
7. Purchase a hand held shower that can be connected to current shower head.
8. Re-arrange furniture and remove unnecessary pieces to allow wheelchair maneuverability.
9. Remove doors and door jams and place a tension rod with a curtain for privacy.
10. Be sure address number is visible outside house and on street mailbox in case of emergency.