Another aspect now considered in home building is the ability to stay in the home long term or have appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. This is accomplished by including features that allow for full accessibility.
Accessibility starts at the driveway. Eliminating steps and steep grade changes to approach entrances is the first step.
Wider doors that allow wheelchair access is just the beginning. The minimum recommended door width for wheelchair access is 32 inches but 41 inches is ideal.
The possibility of a rough shaft to fit a home elevator should be included in the design. An excellent site for more home elevator information is Home Elevator Guide.
Another option is consideration of a stair lift for future use. Stair Lift Guide is another excellent source.
The door handle should be low enough for a seated person to reach it and be a lever style. Heavy exterior doors should be avoided since someone with poor balance or decreased strength will have trouble opening it. It should take no more than 8.5 pounds of force to open the door.
The landing or porch area should be at least 5 feet square to allow for safe use of a wheelchair or walker and the inside vestibule must be large enough to allow the person to avoid door swing once inside. The threshold must be level to avoid possible tipping hazard.
In order for a wheelchair user to turn inside the home the hallways will need to be wider. The space required to make a 180 degree in a hall is usually about 3 feet but the type of equipment and the users ability to use the equipment may mean a larger space is needed.
Inside the home lowered light switches, door handles and counters are a must. Bathroom and kitchen storage that eliminate bending or reaching also make a difference to the user.
Adjustable shelves and storage that can be changed as needed are great even in the transition from children using the closets and storage space to young adults using the space.
Bathrooms are probably the first place that should be considered for accessibility. Not only is is expensive to retrofit an existing bathroom it is also more difficult because of the pipes and fixtures that may need to be changed. It is a room that is needed daily and impossible to live without.
So it only makes sense to include things like grab bars, convertible vanities, extendible spray nozzles and perhaps built in seating in the tub or shower area. These features are not only for someone who is disabled. They are also useful for visiting parents, or a family member recovering from an illness or injury.
The knee space needed under a sink for someone using a wheelchair is 27 to 28 inches so choose fixtures whose size and shape will accommodate this. When positioning the toilet in the room keep in mind that access should not be obstructed by partial walls or narrow spaces. There should be enough room next to the toilet to park the chair. The same applies to the tub. Wheelchair turning dimensions must also be considered.
In the kitchen storage and cupboard space is more accessible if there are pull out or swing out shelves and drawers or a lazy susan that bring items closer to the user and eliminate the need for reaching. Counter heights can be lowered to give easier access for food preparation and cleaning up. Wall ovens with side opening doors are safer than drop down doors.
The ideal would be the option of single floor living as well. A bedroom, bathroom, cooking facilities and laundry area on one level make the need to move a last resort in the event of mobility problems.
Improved lighting and energy efficient fixtures are only common sense in any home. Once again it is easier to include extra power sources and outlets to accommodate future needs or changes.
The trend is towards thinking of all space as multifunctional. In the past rooms were fitted with closets or storage that restricted furniture placement or changes in use. Today, even the kitchen is never just a kitchen.