“No more stairs!”  I remember saying that at the young age of four.  We lived in a little garage apartment in the landlord’s back yard that must have featured at least 30 steps.  My little legs would get jello-like when I climbed that stairway that was as steep as it was high.  Recently, I could again be overheard saying, “No more stairs!”  Only this time it was for medical reasons.  With Parkinson’s disease, saving energy is of the utmost importance, because of its scarcity.

Our split-foyer of 23 years was built in the late 1970’s.  Our lot elevation allowed my husband and I to have only four steps to the main level of the house (kitchen, living room, and bedrooms), but about 15 steps downstairs to the den, another bedroom, garage, and (gulp) laundry room.  My little legs were not so little 46 years later, and were doubly easier to fatigue into melted jello!  With the three kids grown, we opted to build a one-level handicapped-accessible home.  The usual rule of thumb for an “accessible” home is one in which a wheelchair confined person can function with considerable ease.

Normally, most doorways are 28-32” wide.  In order to accommodate a walker or wheelchair, doorways must be made a minimum of 36”.  Floor surfaces are important, also.  Ceramic tile is durable and nice, but don’t go overboard; it gets really slippery when wet!  We tiled the utility room (which contains a wheel-chair accessible shower and the other two bathrooms.  All baths have grab bars and skid-free tubs and showers.  All toilets are the high ones, but do not appear “handicapped.”  Sturdy, low luster,  oak wood floors complete the remainder of the house, with the exception of durable berber carpet in the bedrooms.

This particular houseplan has no hallway, and every room is visible when standing in the great room, except the utility room.   Rocker switches allow lights to turned on and off easily, and handles on doors in lieu of knobs also help greatly. 

At this time the kitchen is not totally handicapped accessible, as I am not in a wheelchair.  However, simple modifications could be made to accommodate such a need.  (Anyhow, if I am very advanced one day, I’m not going to be cooking!)  Many assistive devices are available for use in the kitchen, to include high-reach “grabbers” and jar openers.  The kitchen must include plenty of counter space and “turn-around” floorspace.

A large archway dividing the great or living room from the dining area allows for ease or free movement. Fumbling with chairs when rising from the table causes wear and tear on dining room walls.  The same wear and tear would occur if one were wheelchair bound.  Therefore, wainscoting and chair railing were installed around the lower third of the walls will prevent this.

 

We have two driveways, one being entirely level and bricked and including windows to appear as a garage, minus the door.  From the carport one can easily access the kitchen entry with no barriers.  This allows ease in load and loading parcels or groceries.  From the opposite side, we were able to use the lay of the lot to include a drive-in basement, allowing plenty of storage. 

 I’m having a love affair with my new home with only 1500 sq. ft., but it appears much larger.  And I’m ready for any “future” in this barrier-free “No more stairs!” house!

By Peggy Willocks