2. Home Adaptations
Older people need more light, and
they also have more difficulty adjusting
from one light level to another. Walking
from a well-lit house into the dark can be
difficult and dangerous.
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
3. Getting into the Home
• Driveway
– Flat, wide, and level and not-too-steep is safer
whether or not the person uses a wheelchair, cane
or walker
• Steps
– All steps need railings on both sides
– Rectangular steps are ideal; other shapes are
dangerous
• Walkways/Entrances
– Free from trees/shrubs that obstruct access
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
4. Getting into the Home
• Ramps should have:
– Non-skid surfaces
– Cylindrical railings on both sides
– A smooth transition to the footpath at the bottom or
to the porch/landing/vehicle at the top
– Additional space for opening the door if there is an
entry at the top of the ramp
– A lip or curb on the sides of the ramp to prevent the
wheelchair from veering off the ramp
– Proper width between ramp railings
– A landing with ample turning space
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
5. Getting into the Home
• Design/Redesign Tips
– Repair/repave all uneven walkways
– Re-grade walkways to create a more gradual incline,
or install a cylindrical railing for a steeper incline, or
steps
– Repair or repave transitions between different
walking surfaces
– Remove steps (if possible) and re-grade the
walkway
– Mail boxes should be accessible
– Patios and pathways should be free ofIndia
tripping hazards
Wheelchair accessible tourism
6. Inside the Home
• Clutter is a serious concern for the entire house
• No telephones on stair landings. People could
trip and fall down the stairs in their haste to
reach a ringing telephone
• Ensure that older people are able to easily
open/close the windows in their homes and in
their bedrooms
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
7. Inside: Hallways & Doorways
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Night lights
Low (preferably no) thresholds on door sills.
Handrails in hallways
Sunken rooms that have steps must have
handrails or grab bars.
• Hallways and doorways must be wide enough to
accommodate wheelchairs.
• Tripping hazards should be corrected or
removed
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
8. Inside: Stairs
• Anti-skid strips at the end of each stair tread
• Stair treads should be the same size and in
good condition
• Top and bottom steps clearly marked
• Secure handrails on both sides of the stairs
• Carpets should be in good condition and firmly
tacked down
• A grab bar at the top of the stairway
• Low hanging ceiling beams should be padded in
a bright color to remind tall people to duck their
heads
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
9. Inside: Living/Family/Dining Rooms
• Furniture problems to correct or avoid:
– Furniture with hard, sharp edges
– Chairs and sofas that are too low, too soft and/or
armless
– Too many pieces of furniture (and throw rugs)
• Wheelchair accessibility
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
10. Inside the Home: Bedroom
• Drawers should not be too high or too low for
people to reach into and retrieve items
• Repair broken or sticking drawers
• Explore the use of open shelving to make
clothes more accessible
• Use “C” pulls
• Beds adjusted to the appropriate height
• Bedside table
• Grab bars/poles
• Wheelchair accessibility
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
11. Inside the Home: Bathroom
• The bathroom is the most dangerous room
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Tight spaces
Hard Surfaces
Slippery Surfaces
Sharp edges
Lack of bars/railings to use
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
12. Inside the Home: Bathroom
• General Renovations
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Replace bathtubs with walk-in or roll-in showers
Install a hand-held shower head
Utilize a shower seat
Provide a shower caddy for each reach of toiletries
Remove old shower doors
If small, consider making the entire room part of the
shower by installing additional floor drainage
– A wall hung toilet increases the floor area and provides
more room for a wheelchair or walker
– Install toilet arms to lift on/off the toilet
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
13. Inside the Home: Bathroom
• General Renovations
– Grab bars
• Using the towel bar or soap dish as grab bars is
dangerous. Install grab bars so that the bar is the
first object within reach.
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Easily accessible hooks on doors/walls
Easy-to-reach/locate shelves for toiletries
Replace door knobs with lever handles
Install anti-scald devices to control temperature
Sensor faucets for sinks
• Use “double cueing” on faucets
– Cover all pipes attached to wheelchair-accessible
sinks
Wheelchair accessible tourism India
14. Inside the Home: Kitchen
• Lower shelves and cabinets to make things easier
to reach
• Raise dishwashers for wheelchair access
• Replace drawer/cabinet knobs with ‘C’ pull handles
• Grabbers can help people reach light weight items
• Use/purchase stoves with knobs in front.
• Install kitchen sink faucets on the side of the sink
• Anti-scald devices for kitchen sink
Wheelchair accessible tourism India