Accessible Homes are a unique offering in the building market, specifically focused on providing designed homes to allow improved quality of life for our customers who are reliant on wheelchair access and require mobility assistance.
Here are some tips to design inclusive and accessible homes:The term “master bedroom” has a masculine connotation, has deep roots to American black slavery, and not racially sensitive. Use primary bedroom or main bedroom instead. “Maid’s quarters” or “servant’s room” are derogatory terms, use househelp’s or housekeeper’s room. “Butler’s pantry” has European origins, a room used to store silverware, located between the dining room and the kitchen. Butlers, who were almost always black in American households, actually slept in these rooms to watch over the silverware, implying racial hierarchy. Indicate as service area, pantry or pass-through.
Use sliding doors with stoppers, folding doors with recessed tracks, or at least 900mm width, especially for toilet doors. Use French doors for visual optimization if security is not an issue. Avoid doors that open into traffic areas, with vertical stoppers between doors, and Dutch doors. Toilet doors should open outward , if not, it cannot close once wheelchair is in.
Door hardware that should be specified are double action hinges, rising pin-butt hinges, and offset pivot hinges. Locks should be lever type and low enough for people that are physically challenged. A pneumatic door closer and a door-pull handle at the hinge side is highly recommended.
For kitchen, wheelchair users should have a minimum clear floor space of 1000mm between opposite counters or walls. Railing to the edge of the counter protects it from chipping and can be used to hold towels or to pull up the counters in a wheelchair. Provide 200mm kickboard to clear wheelchair footrests.
When using movable cabinets under an adjustable-height counter, be sure the counter can be adjusted between 850mm above the finished floor for most users, and 600mm for children in wheelchairs. Pull-out drawers with full-extension roller-type slides allow access to deep storage.
Appliances should have controls at counter level. In controls, switches should be queued with warning lights to show that appliances are on.
Cooking is easier from a wheelchair with a clear floor space below a cooktop, but the danger of accidental burn caused by spill increases. Smooth glass cooktop surfaces work well, and the newer models heat quickly and offer redundant cuing. A refrigerator with the freezer at the bottom and magnetic door catches requires less strength than those with latches.
Carpeting offers several advantages for universal design such as insulation, increased comfort and acoustics (cut pile over loop pile). Carpets should not exceed ½” in pile height. Choose a carpet that are fire-retardant with added biological guard to prevent bacteria. For people with dust allergies, hard-surfaced flooring is a better choice.
Ceramic tiles are appropriate for rolling traffic. Protruding joints or uneven tiles surface can cause extreme discomfort or impose hazard. Although a slightly raised pattern or uneven texture can reduce slipping or rolling. Use moisture-resistant grout and vitreous tile where moisture is present to prevent bacteria. Darker colored tiles do not discolor as easily as lighter colors. Use non-skid tiles for bathrooms to avoid accidents.
Contrasting wall and ceiling color make it easier to identify edges of a room. Contrasting baseboards and door jambs also define boundaries. Research has shown that a monochromatic color scheme can contribute to sensory deprivation. Walls of mirror should not be used making orientation difficult and distorting perception. Avoid heavy patterns.
Protective corners and millwork are necessary to prevent damage from carts and mobility aids.
Avoid furniture with weird angles. Specify firm cushions for upholstered seating. A 5-seater round table including one person in a wheel chair is advisable. Shelves should be reachable for a person on wheelchair.
For bedframes, a headboard with at least 250mm height above mattress to add support when rising. Footboard with 850-950mm height from the floor provides stability when walking around. Nightstands should be large enough to store assistive devices. Dressers and wardrobes should be opened easily with handles reachable and easily be gripped. Desks can be adjustable with a slanting option to reduce fatigue and discomfort.
Bathroom accessories such as towel racks, hand dryers, soap dispensers, etc. should be 1000 mm (1 m) from the floor. Lavatory mirrors should be slanted, or at least low-set from the basin. Should there drinking fountains, at least one should be lowered at 700 mm.
Grab bars in toilets should be on both sides and 1 L-bar on the wall. L-bar on wall for standing or climbing support, while vertical bar is placed 300 mm ahead of tip of the water closet. The distance of the L and R bars should be at 750 mm maximum for support. Height of horizontal bar is at 700-750 mm. A flip-up bar is an option in case there is no wall for the L-bar. This type of bar is useful for balance and adds to the turning space of wheelchairs because it is not anchored to the floor.
Bathtubs should have a non-slip bench and hand-held shower. A fixed step feature in the bathtub can prevent the wheelchair from getting directly beside the tub. Add L-bars for support in the shower area.
Window treatments must be long enough for easy reach, insulated shades can be used overlapping the window on all sides are advised. Bear in mind that disorientation occurs when people are isolated form natural light and cannot differentiate between night and day.
Art decorations reduce stress and can be a “positive distraction.” Inclusive art appeals to people who are blind. (ex. textured, mosaic). Personalization should be encouraged, such as hanging crafts or wall decor reflecting the interests of the end-user. Display a few accessories at an eye level for children and people in wheelchairs. Refrain from tall accessories or flower arrangements that may block vision or may be hazardous.
4. Electrical and Electronics
Lowered electrical switches at 1200mm from the floor. For small appliances, install electrical outlet above the surface counter top. For hair dryer or shaver add electrical outlet on side wall. Outlets should be above the table height.Security systems offer an early warning and can increase reaction time. Consider a home automation system with an electric locking device for entry door with an intercom system.
Remote control devices can be used to accommodate a wide variety of abilities. Specialized devices are available for people with differences in hearing or speech considering people with reduced hearing. If an option, appliances that are cordless using advanced technology, operated from a distance by touch control, phone or voice signals.
Telephones with one forward-reach, useful for people with reduced vision, voice-activated dialing service and programmable speech synthesizer.
More from the Book Source: Sanchez, L. (2020). Not Just Decorating. Cebu City: Sanchez Design Studio Inc.
Other Helpful Sources:
Friesen, J. (2019). Aging in Place. Schulman Design. https://schulmandesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CDMagazine-Fall2019.pdf
Schulman, M. (2018, June 29). Universal Design & Accessibility: Good for Everyone. Schulman Design. https://schulmandesign.com/2018/06/universal-design-accessibility-good-for-everyone/
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