Handicap Accessible Housing

There is a common misconception that any structure that is built with only one level is sufficient for handicap accessibility. This is simply not true. The lack of stairs has a lot to do with the handicap accessibility of a home, but not everything.

One of the key problems with assuming that stairs are the only impediment to handicap accessibility is that the idea fails to take into account the greater turning radius of a wheelchair. For a wheelchair to turn around in a space, a lot more room is actually needed than the space needed for a person without a wheelchair to turn around.

Next, the space between counters and in doorways needs to be addressed. Yes, standard sized wheelchairs will fit in standard kitchen space but that does not mean that there will be enough room to maneuver at all or even open the cabinets while in the kitchen. Also, using standard sized doorways and whatnot may lead to a greater need for paint. The minimal clearance, depending on the wheelchair size, can lead to the doorframes and cabinets getting banged up by foot rests and any other part of the wheelchair as it rolls past.

The greatest change that needs to be made in a typical home design for handicap accessibility is in the bathrooms. Handrails for assistance and sink height make a huge difference. The same can be said for the kitchen sink.

Contact an Orlando Custom Home Builder

If you would like to learn more about handicap accessible housing, contact the Orlando custom homebuilders of BRC Homes at 407-612-6998.