This document provides information and recommendations for making homes safer and more accessible for older adults and those with disabilities. It discusses adaptations that can be made to entrances and exits like driveways, steps, ramps and walkways. Interior spaces like hallways, stairs, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens should also be modified. Suggestions include adding grab bars, lever door handles, motion-activated lights and lowering cabinets or shelves. Proper lighting, slip-resistant flooring and removal of clutter and tripping hazards are emphasized throughout the home. The goal is to facilitate independent living through accessible design.

1. Supporting Aging Adults with
Developmental Disabilities
Wheelchair accessible tourism India

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
•
•
•
•
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
–
–
–
–
–
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
–
–
–
–
–
–
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.
–
–
–
–
–
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

15. Wheelchair accessible tourism India