Making a house friendly
Wheelchair on the move:
- Steps can be replaced with ramps. Ensure that the ramps are not too steep. The person in the wheelchair should be able to wheel him/herself up the ramp by him/herself.
- If there are too many steps a lift can be considered. Warning: it is very costly.
- Ensure the furniture in rooms are situated in positions that allow a wheelchair to move freely around the room.
- Ensure that the wheel chair can be placed next to the bed so that the person can slide onto the bed easily.
- Ensure that there is enough space in the bathroom so that the wheelchair can fit.
- The door ways should be wide enough to fit the wheelchair through.
Alterations (consider the following):
- Get in an Occupational Therapist who can guide the architect
- Architect to draw up plans for the area
- Builder to build according to the plans
- Get three quotes from different architects and builders before proceeding
- Make sure to also get references so you know that the builder and architect has experience.
- The correct measurements for the person in the wheelchair.
View Help & Guidance Directory to find companies and numbers
