Accessible Homes

[Jill]

We need to start thinking about a new house and I have no idea where to start! I've picked a school zone and now we're just thinking about finding something within that area and timing. For those of you who have gone through this, I have a million questions.

What is ideal: building a house to meet your needs, or buying a house that you love and making it fit your needs? Which is cheaper, which is easier?

Do wheelchairs and/or walkers fit through regular doorways - kid sized and adult sized?

The main things I'm looking at are entries to the house, stairwells to different levels, and being able to get to any place in the house. Am I missing anything? What else is vital to consider?

What do I need to think about in terms of bathrooms? At this point, I have no idea if he'll be able to stand and support himself through a transfer.

We also plan on being there until we're old, so I have to think long-term not just him getting places as a kid. King will more than likely be in a wheelchair as an adult and unless some miracle happens, as a child as well. I want him to be 100% independent in our house at any age.

[Kat]

I am interested too!

[LisaJoy]

The Center for Universal Design has publications related to home design and home modification:

http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/sod5/cud/quicklinks_ql/qlquicklinks.htm

[hope&faith]

Jill, we are going through this currently. We had the opportunity to move for lots of reasons but mostly to get into a better school district, shorten commute for hubby and wanting a more accessible house. We looked at older ranch homes but in our area found that it would have taken way more money to widen door ways, have a larger turning radias for wheel chair, make an accessible bathroom and ramps to/from then just building but it might depend on your location.

We met with an architect who was able to help guide us in making the design decisions. wish we could afford to do extras but I'm happy that we are able to focus on at least the basic floor plan. We are doing an open floor plan ranch with wide doorways (I believe 36 inch openings instead of the normal 32?) I think these are the numbers but don't quote me as hubby is the numbers guy, not me). We also did extra turning radias into the rooms, gentle slope/ramp to the front door and in through the garage, roll in shower, pedestal sink, etc. We are just getting started as the frame of the house is literally getting built right now.

I do know plenty of people who have physical disabilities and make their current accomodations work just fine but if you have the opportunity to create something for your family, thats awesome. We too expect to stay in this home forever until we are old and gray so it will work for us then too.

Alex fits through our standard doorways in our current home with his mobile stander so I think being little right now is not a concern, I think its more of a concern as they get older/bigger and bigger equipment.

I think King and Alex are similar ability levels. I too have accepted that Alex will likely be a wheelchair user and want to plan as we are able for that but also want to give him every opportunity to be mobile however he is able. I don't know if this info. helped any? Just my personal experience!
:) Holli

[hope&faith]

also here's another site we looked at and found useful

http://www.adaptiveaccess.com/home_changes.php

[Jill]

Thank you Holli!!