One in four adults in the United States has some disability; that’s 61 million adults. However, rooms, buildings, and roads still aren’t PWD-friendly. As a result, those with limited movement rarely go out unless their caregiver or family helps them go out. Thus, be the change that this country needs.
Making your home or any space PWD (persons with disabilities) friendly doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. With a few simple accommodations, you can make any room in your house more user-friendly for those with limited mobility.
Patient Hoists
A patient hoist or ceiling hoist gives caregivers a quick and easy ability to move a disabled person. These hoists provide seamless and quick support for handling and lifting needs. Most importantly, it saves time and effort in an emergency.
This device will improve the safety and comfort of disabled people and make their lives easier when going out of their beds. But depending on the area’s layouts and designs, you can install the hoists in a wide variety of places, not just the bedroom. As a result, it makes it easier for the disabled person to move.
It’s an excellent tool for movement and rehabilitation therapy; this is needed in most disability cases. In addition, it’s a hygienic method of lifting and turning the PWD, and it won’t be a hassle using it. The common dilemma caregivers worry about is how they will help PWDs use the bathroom.
Further, these hoists can make the caregiver and PWD’s life easier since they can easily lift and put them down.
Add Grab Bars
Another great addition to any room to cater to PWDs are the grab bars. It prevents falls and potential injuries. PWDs can grasp the bars when walking and especially when they feel like they’re going to fall. Sometimes, they will feel tired, dizzy, or lose balance; thus, it’s essential to have something on the sides for them to grab onto. You should consider safety at all times!
Grab bars differ from shower rods or towel racks because grab bars can withstand the great weight that pulls them away from the wall. You can put them everywhere since they can match every space, especially the living or bathroom space. Grab bars are an excellent tool for PWDs who are still in rehabilitation therapy.
Ensure that it’s mounted with fasteners and studs so it won’t fall apart and can comply with the PWD’s height. Place the bars at a height that’s just right for the disabled person while ensuring that you follow through with ADA’s Height Requirement; which is the following:
- Sidewall must have a minimum length of 54”
- Toilets have to be 16” to 18” to a partition or adjacent side wall
Widen Doorways
Many walkers and wheelchairs are too big for disabled people to maneuver through doorways easily. It’s a costly fix; however, it’s a must for a PWD to get inside and outside of rooms and hallways. The ADA standard is a minimum of 32 inches for the width of the door opening.
Remove Rugs
Wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs bring the living room space together and create an excellent decor element. But, no matter how soft they are, it’s an obstacle for people who use wheelchairs and walkers.
On the other hand, slippery flooring also poses a danger. So, remove your decorative rugs, replace them with a low pile and attach it to the subflooring. You can also remove rugs and replace your slippery ceramic tile or polished hardwood with a non-slip vinyl flooring that’s high-traction.
Think about how the flooring would feel for disabled patients. It’s a different world entirely for them to ensure they’re safe.
Add Ramps
When creating a PWD-friendly area, you can’t ignore the value of ramps. You won’t include it in a room, but outside.
It’s an important addition that has to be included in this list. Most likely, the PWDs will be in wheelchairs when entering or leaving a building. Thus, you wouldn’t want them and their caregivers to suffer using the stairs. It’s an unnecessary hassle for these parties when you can fix the concern with a ramp.
Adding a ramp to buildings is an excellent way for those mobility-challenged individuals to gain more independence. It can give PWDs using power and standard wheelchairs a chance to move around by themselves.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read about how you can make rooms PWD-friendly, it’s time to go to stores and decide where and how you’re going to put and make these things on the list. Some of it may be costly. However, it’s a worthy sacrifice for those who need our patience and help. So take every section step-by-step and start with the item that’s easier to do first.
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