If you or a family member is disabled, you understand just how frustrating it can be to try to navigate in a world that is not necessarily built for you. Although many homes claim to be ADA compliant, they may have only been built to the most minimum of standards.
Your home is the place where you should have the most freedom, comfort and mobility. Therefore if your family requires a home with more advanced and comprehensive accessible features, building a custom home is a wonderful option. Determining exactly what you need and building to suit guarantees that your home is indeed the refuge and haven it is meant to be.
What Constitutes an Accessible Home?
An accessible home allows a person with disabilities to live as independently as possible, providing them with every advantage and opportunity necessary for a productive life. Keep in mind that even if you do not require these features today, designing a Florida home for accessibility is actually a proactive way to prepare for your own golden years, for moving a parent into your home one day, or even for resale purposes.
- Single Story Homes: Single level homes are commonplace in Sarasota, but creating a space which is most favorable for mobility includes making sure that there are no steps to navigate. While this includes staircases, it also includes having no raised transitions between the outdoors and indoors (such as sliding door tracks). Many older homes feature small step-downs from one room to another, which can be dangerous for someone with a handicap. While other family members may be able to navigate a second story, keep the togetherness of the family in mind – all major living and gathering spaces should be accessible without assistance. If you are living in a home with a staircase already, you may wish to incorporate an elevator or wheelchair stair lift.
- Wide Doorways and Hallways: From the front door to the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens – wide entryways and hallways will make for a stress-free lifestyle. Don’t forget all traffic areas, such as having enough room to make it past the kitchen island or out onto the lanai. Open concept designs are very popular in Longboat Key and Sarasota, so making them just a bit more open is easily done.
- Adjust Levels of Appliances and Sinks: You may need to retrofit a bathroom sink to allow for easy access for hygiene, or even provide lower countertops for food preparation. In contrast, individuals who have trouble bending or leaning over may need certain features raised. No matter the need, adjusting countertops, sinks, cabinets and appliances to an accessible level makes daily life far more accommodating. Roll-under sinks for those in wheelchairs are also a highly functional feature.
- Wood or Tile Flooring: Remember to make all flooring easy to navigate, with no transitions whenever possible.
- Bathrooms: One of the most difficult rooms for those with disabilities to function independently in is the bathroom. Cramped areas, wet surfaces, and necessary functions are all tricky for someone who needs accessbile access. Building a custom bathroom which is wide open, has necessary grab-bars, a roll in shower, and lower sinks will allow your loved one more independence and safety when on their own.
The ideas above are all design-based, but do not reflect official ADA recommednations. Find a general contractor knowledgeable in building accessible homes, and allow them to help you to combine form and function to build a beautiful, navigable home you’ll love to live in.
Lindahl ConstructionLindahl ConstructionLindahl Construction specializes in custom builds and home renovations in the greater Sarasota area, including Longboat and Siesta Keys. Call us today to discuss the home you need.