Improving Accessibility for an Easier Life
Improving accessibility at home will make your life much easier and happier. You must consider many changes if you are disabled, elderly, or chronically ill. Some changes are minor and very easy to complete. Others can be expensive and complex. Here are some tips.
Make Sure You Can Travel
Staying away from friends, family, and work won’t do you any good. Yet it can be hard to get out when you face accessibility issues. However, there are a few things you can do. If you have a driving license, consider swapping your vehicle for a more accessible one. Countries such as the UK offer Motability schemes with partners like MRG Cars. This can be a massive help since not all cars are easy to get into. Yet public transport is much more accessible these days.
Have Safety Features Fitted
Getting out is great if you are able. But you can make some small adjustments to make your home life much easier and more manageable. Everyday tasks that most people take for granted can be a nightmare for someone with accessibility problems. However, you can install simple rails and lift handles to help you around your home. And ramps are excellent for getting in and out if you are in a wheelchair. You can also invest in walk-in bathroom appliances.
Improving Accessibility on Electronic Devices
Like anyone, you probably also use electronic devices like smartphones, televisions, and video game consoles. Many of these companies include excellent accessibility features. But they are often hidden within menus and settings to switch on. For example, you can turn on various color modes for your eyesight or make text and icons larger. There are also voice control features and audio descriptions if you are hard of hearing or mild to profoundly deaf.
Consider How to Get Upstairs
Living in a single-story home makes things much easier for wheelchair users. However, you might own a multi-story home. And this can complicate things considerably. Banisters and rails are great, but their uses only extend so far. You may need a stairlift or even an elevator to get from one floor to another in your home. Unfortunately, as convenient as these are, they are among the most expensive adjustments you can make when you need more home accessibility.
Make Structural Adjustments
There are many accessibility features to suit a wide array of conditions. And usually, only minor adjustments are needed. But none is more disruptive to your home than being in a wheelchair. You can make some adjustments to make it easier to get around. Room-to-room ramps are an obvious one and usually the first. But you can also have your doorways widened, get a professional to lower kitchen worktops, and have outdoor ramps and step rails fitted.
Summary
You can make your life much easier by improving accessibility at home. Motability schemes can help you get a more suitable vehicle. And you can use accessibility features on your electronic devices. Finally, you can adjust your home’s structure to meet your needs.
