CHOOSING
A RESOURCE
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Home Adaptations
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HOME ADAPTATIONS
MAKING THE DECISION ON HOME ADAPTATION
Families have varying needs when it comes to home adaptations. Some prefer to minimize the changes they make to their homes while others embrace the concept of Universal Design, making their homes completely ADA accessible... and everything else in between.
Accessible housing for one family might be grab bars in the bathroom and wheelchair friendly flooring (non-plush carpets; wood flooring). However, stairs and entryways, inaccessible switches, countertops and door handles, narrow hallways and doorways, and small bathrooms, kitchens and garages can often prove difficult to maneuver, necessitating greater modifications to the home – or perhaps the purchase of a new wheelchair accessible house.
If designing a new home, keep the ADA building codes handy. You can find them at the ADA Website: www.ada.gov. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center puts out a catalog of accessible products annually that could be worth checking out.
Below are some general tips as outlined by the ADA. Additional information can be found here at the Adaptive Access www.adaptiveaccess.com and Healthy Me websites.www.ahealthyme.com
HALLWAYS, DOORWAYS AND ENTRYWAYS
- Should be at least 32” wide for a straight approach, but 36” is necessary in event of a turn.
- Remove loose carpets/rugs.
- Have at least one exit that is wheelchair accessible.
WHEELCHAIR RAMPS
- Be sure dealer is ADA compliant.
- Use a slip resistant, high traction surface.
- If a home is more than one story, a wheelchair lift or elevator may be installed.
- Ramps should have at least a 36” width and a maximum slope of 1” of rise for every 12” of run.
- The ramp should also include handrails.
- For more information on ramps, visit the Wheelchair website. www.newdisability.com
TYPES OF WHEELCHAIR RAMPS
- Solid wheelchair ramps are one piece and can be more desirable for permanent ramps.
- Threshold wheelchair ramps are good for doorways.
- Modular wheelchair ramps are strong and portable.
- Folding wheelchair ramps are lightweight and ideal for travel.
WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
- Wheelchair lifts used in the home are powered devices designed to lift a wheelchair and its occupant to another level in the home.
- ADA specifications include: a minimum clear floor/ground space of 30” x 48” on both inclined platform and vertical wheelchair lifts.
- They must also allow for unassisted entry, operation and exit on platform wheelchair lifts.
TYPES OF WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
- Inclined platform wheelchair lifts are designed to travel up stairways and consist of platforms instead of seats.
- Vertical platform wheelchair lifts are designed similarly to an elevator and must have the same safety features.
- Portable wheelchair lifts can be folded up and used in multiple locations, operating electrically, hydraulically, via battery or manually. These may require a ramp as they may not be flush with the floor.
For more information on wheelchair lifts, please visit the Wheelchair website. www.newdisability.com
BATHROOMS
- Roll-in showers (showers that are open and enable the wheelchair user to wheel directly inside) are useful, but may be challenging to install in already existing homes. The bathroom is completely tiled with a slope towards the floor drains.
- Shower hoses that attach to the faucet and enable the user to direct the flow of water are helpful.
- Grab bars are essential and relatively easy to install securely. Screw the hardware directly into the wall studs or wood blocking at about a 34” – 38” height. They should also project from the wall 1 ½ inches and be rounded off to eliminate sharp edges for safety.
- Tub transfer seats (folding bath seats that are secured to the wall to make transferring to and from a wheelchair both easy and safe) allow persons to sit in the tub and take a bath or shower, without having to lower themselves to the floor.
- Toilet height varies. Accessible toilets are usually between 17” and 19” above the floor (a regular toilet is generally 14 ½ inches above the floor). Therefore, regular toilets can be entirely replaced with special accessible units or raised seats can be installed. Toilet grab bars can be installed for balance and support.
- Sinks can be installed to allow wheelchair access. The height should be no higher than 34 inches, and should have a shallow bowl to allow knee clearance. Vanity cabinets can also be removed. Consider covering exposed plumbing with insulation or boxes in to prevent contact with sharp edges and hot water burns.
CARPETS/FLOORING
- Carpet can be used. Plush carpets are not recommended.
- The carpet can be glued to the under pad, stapling the edges to the floor to prevent bunching
- Tile, vinyl, wood and laminate also work very well.
- Make sure there is a smooth transition between flooring types.
KITCHENS
- Sliding shelves can be installed in lower cabinets to allow easier access.
- Side by side refrigerators can be helpful to enable seated users to reach the items inside.
- As with the bathroom, cover exposed pipes.
CLOSETS
- Most walk-in closet doors are only 24” wide, so the doorway will need to be widened to at least 32” to accommodate wheelchair users.
- Shelves can be lowered or adjustable shelving installed.
LIGHT SWITCHES
- Can be lowered so they are easily reached by wheelchair users.
- Light switch height may vary from individual to individual.
- Light switches should be no higher than 48” and no less than 15” if the individual must reach forward to use the switch.
- Light switches should be no higher than 54” and no less than 9” if the individual may approach the switch at a side angle.
ADDITIONAL MODIFICATIONS
- Change doorknobs to lever handles.
- Replace narrow doors with pocket doors.
- Move furniture to allow at least a 32-inch path and 5-foot turning radius.
- Add small blocks of wood to raise tables and desks above knee level.
- Add a string to each door handle to aid the wheelchair user in pulling the door closed.
- Plan an emergency exit for wheelchair user.
- Residential Automatic Front Door openers are also available for front doors. The automatic door opener is a remote control that opens the door when activated, and closes it when deactivated, also allowing for secure latching. This does not eliminate the ability of others to enter the door manually, but provides a safe and easy method of entry and exit for disabled individuals.
FUNDING YOUR HOME ADAPTATIONS
Adapting or building an accessible home can be expensive. While there are federal laws in place to permit people with disabilities to modify their existing homes, generally they must assume the cost themselves. However, there are programs available to assist in paying for some (if not all) of these related costs. In order to determine what financial assistance might be available, contact a local agency that caters to individuals with disabilities or rehabilitation facility that can provide useful local information. In the meantime, here are some things to consider.
RENTING
- For those who are renting, tenants may be able to negotiate with the owner to share some of the expenses in return for a longer lease.
TAX BREAKS
- Some states (including Virginia and Georgia) offer a $500 tax credit for those who make accessibility modifications to their properties.
- Contact the Internal Revenue Service or the appropriate state department of revenue to discuss relevant tax breaks.
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
- State Housing Finance Agency Programs (HFA) - These are authorized by the federal government to sell tax-exempt bonds for a variety of public purposes. In some states HFAs use this ability to provide low-interest-rate loans to make accessibility modifications. Since, as with other resources, the funding is limited, it is imperative to learn how the appropriate local Housing Finance Agency makes these programs available.
- Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers - In many states, these funds can be used to pay for accessibility modifications. Waiver programs allow states to offer traditionally non-medical services (i.e., home or environmental modifications, service coordination, homemaker services, transportation, rehabilitation, and respite care) to people in the community who would otherwise qualify for institutional care, in exchange for the federal government suspending some of its requirements for Medicaid programs.
- Fannie Mae Retrofitting Program - Often it is easier for homeowners to finance accessibility modifications because they can use their homes as a source of equity in order to obtain loans. Fannie Mae provides targeted loan packages that may be used by people with disabilities. Contact Fannie Mae for more information. www.fanniemae.com
- HUD’s Title I and Section 203K program - These programs, available to all homeowners, provide funding through local lenders to rehabilitate existing homes or purchase and modify new ones. Visit the HUD website for more information. (www.hud.gov).
- USDA’s Rural Community Development (formerly the Farmers Home Administration) - This program offers various grants and loans for low-income people living in rural communities, particularly homeowners with disabilities needing modifications to their homes. The Rural Community Development website has additional information. (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/)
- Nonprofit agencies or organizations like: Easter Seals, Make a Wish Foundation, local fire departments, Master Build Associations, local Rotary Clubs or Lions Clubs (etc.) may be able to offer assistance.
APPROVALS AND PERMITS
- Homeowners will often need to get approval from a homeowners' association and permits from local authorities, depending on the work being done.
- State and federal fair housing laws require homeowners and condominium associations to reasonably accommodate owners with disabilities, and to waive unreasonable restrictions that prevent an owner from making necessary changes to their properties.
- Laws vary from community to community, so it is important to investigate what is required before making any changes.
For additional information, please refer to our resource guide with various agencies that may be able to assist in either home or van modifications.
