According to the Australasian Transport Research Forum of 2017, around 33,000 people in Sydney use a wheelchair.
If you are one of them, you’ll know how important it is to make your home as accessible as it possibly can be.
This allows you to move around your residence with freedom and ease – not just right now but also when you are older. So, it is important to take steps to ensure your property can accommodate your unique needs.
Essentially, creating a home suitable for wheelchair use requires eliminating or minimising potential obstacles or barriers to entry.
Thankfully, there are several different ways you can do that to make where you live more wheelchair-friendly.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the main ones.
1. Move
If your current place of residence is not as liveable and accessible as you would like it to be, then you might consider moving somewhere else that is.
You can find specialist disability accommodation in Sydney with Vertika, which has been thoughtfully designed to enable wheelchair users to live either independently or with their partners or family in a custom-built apartment.
Along with these properties, you can also access 24/7 on-site care if you require it, which should provide extra peace of mind.
2. Widen doors and hallways
If you don’t want to move from your current home, one of the first modifications you should make is to widen your doors and hallways. This will enable you to easily manoeuvre around your property.
Industry standards suggest a door or hallway should be at least 32 inches wide, though anything over 36 inches should ensure easy passage for wheelchair users.
If you can, it is a good idea to have sliding or French doors installed in your property. They are best suited to offering wide entry points and can add a stylish decor element.
However, if this is too expensive an option for you, disabled sliding or swing access doors are another good option, especially as they can be integrated with a remote-control system.
3. Install handrails, ramps and grab bars
In addition to widening doors and entryways, it is a good idea to install handrails, ramps and grab bars.
Handrails and ramps can be placed throughout the home, but they are particularly useful in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, and stairs.
It is important to get this professionally installed because factors such as weight resistance and elevation changes need to be taken into account.
For more information, here is what to look for when hiring a tradie.
4. Stairlift
Sometimes, adding a ramp might not be practical due to a lack of space or if you live in a multi-level home with a large number of stairs. Therefore, it is a good idea to install a stairlift at the foot of the staircase.
Stairlifts easily enable you to make your way up to the next level. They come in various designs and price points, so pick one that best suits your needs and budget.
5. Declutter and rearrange
One of the simplest ways to make your Sydney home more accessible is to declutter it. You’ll be amazed at how much extra space you’ll have to move around if you get rid of items you no longer need.
When decluttering, try to do it in an eco-friendly way by organising your items into separate piles for donation, recycling, selling and rubbish removal.
Once you have done this, rearrange your remaining furniture and possessions in a way that creates lots of space and a clear path for navigating your way around each room.
6. Change door knobs
If your doors have knobs on them, you should consider changing them over to handles which you will find easier to use, especially if your hands are wet.
At the same time, if they are at standard height, it is worth having them lowered or raised to the most suitable level for you to ensure you don’t have to reach for them.
Just make sure they are relocated to a position that can be easy to handle if you are in a wheelchair or using a walking frame at the time.
7. Smart home technology systems
For many wheelchair-bound Sydneysiders, voice-activated smart home technology systems have become a real game changer.
These systems greatly improve the quality of life and independence of those people living with disability. It allows them to operate and control pretty much all aspects of their home, from security and lighting to temperature and even cooking in the oven.
As well as through voice, they can also be accessed remotely via a smartphone, tablet or computer. So, it is easy to ensure the heating and lights are on when you get back, and even if the kettle has been freshly boiled!
8. Add outdoor lights
When considering how to make our Sydney home more accessible, it is easy to focus on the interior. But you should also pay attention to the outside.
If you live in an area without good street lighting, you should consider installing motion-sensor-activated lights, which can make it easier to see when trying to enter your home.