Are you planning to retrofit your home in order to make it handicap accessible? There are many ways to make your home ADA Accessible without tackling a major remodeling project:
1. Widening Doorways: Wheelchair width varies, but many are too wide to maneuver freely through doorways. Depending on the doorway’s location, widening could cost $500 to $1,000.
2. Walk-In Showers: Step-in bathtubs often are an accident waiting to happen. To prevent falls, many homeowners convert their tubs to wheelchair-accessible or walk-in showers. For a cheaper option, consider installing a bench seat for extra support.
3. Grab Bars: These are an easy addition in and around the shower, tub and toilet. Professionally installed grab bars cost approximately $100 to $300 per bar.
4. Cabinets: High cabinets are difficult to reach for people with mobility issues. Move everyday items, such as toiletries and towels in the bathroom and dishes in the kitchen, to lower cabinets for easier access.
5. Toilets: A toilet riser adds height, making it easier to access for people who have trouble bending over. Many risers sell for less than $50 at retail or drug stores.
6. Ramps: Adding a threshold ramp to a doorway, or converting a stairway to a ramp not only makes it easier for wheelchairs, but for anyone with ambulatory difficulties. Costs range from around $100 for a low-threshold ramp, to several thousand dollars for a custom ramp, depending on the size and materials used.
7. Flooring: Remove thick carpet, rugs and other types of flooring that make it difficult to maneuver a wheelchair or walker.
1. Widening Doorways: Wheelchair width varies, but many are too wide to maneuver freely through doorways. Depending on the doorway’s location, widening could cost $500 to $1,000.
2. Walk-In Showers: Step-in bathtubs often are an accident waiting to happen. To prevent falls, many homeowners convert their tubs to wheelchair-accessible or walk-in showers. For a cheaper option, consider installing a bench seat for extra support.
3. Grab Bars: These are an easy addition in and around the shower, tub and toilet. Professionally installed grab bars cost approximately $100 to $300 per bar.
4. Cabinets: High cabinets are difficult to reach for people with mobility issues. Move everyday items, such as toiletries and towels in the bathroom and dishes in the kitchen, to lower cabinets for easier access.
5. Toilets: A toilet riser adds height, making it easier to access for people who have trouble bending over. Many risers sell for less than $50 at retail or drug stores.
6. Ramps: Adding a threshold ramp to a doorway, or converting a stairway to a ramp not only makes it easier for wheelchairs, but for anyone with ambulatory difficulties. Costs range from around $100 for a low-threshold ramp, to several thousand dollars for a custom ramp, depending on the size and materials used.
7. Flooring: Remove thick carpet, rugs and other types of flooring that make it difficult to maneuver a wheelchair or walker.
