Making your home wheelchair friendly

Some buildings cater for wheelchair users better than others. Many apartment blocks in Dubai include ramps, wide elevator doors and dedicated parking spaces for wheelchair users and people with special needs.

However, major alterations to homes to accommodate wheelchairs are easiest to do if you buy a property off-plan and have it altered during the construction phase.

That said, you can also tinker with existing peoperties. If access is an issue for you, or someone close to you, here are a few adjustments that can be made to make your house more wheelchair friendly.

Personal pangs

Everyone's needs differ, so any changes made have to suit your individual requirements and physical limitations. Start by making a list of issues that you run into frequently and what modifications are needed to resolve these issues.

Location, location, location
Make sure your new home is within walking distance to amenities such as grocery shops, restaurants, pharmacies and public transportation since getting in and out of cars can be tiring.

Check the safety of the neighbourhood. Areas that are quite community-minded include The Greens, The Lakes and The Springs.

A welcoming entrance

The most important feature is a direct access ramp. Install motion sensor lights so when you enter your home in the dark, your visibility isn't impaired. The access ramp should be made of concrete as it can last many years and doesn't require much maintenance. Make sure the doorway has been widened with ample space for your wheelchair. The hallways should be
at least 100cm wide.

Kitchen sassy

If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, then this is one area of the house you should focus on – it's an area where a lot of accidents are prone to happen. The countertops should be high enough to allow a wheelchair to fit underneath. If they are too high, your shoulders could suffer permanent damage, but if they're too low they can affect your cervical area. Use upright freezers or a walk-in fridge.

Check the classifieds to see if restaurants are selling them secondhand since they can be expensive. Place utensils and saucepans on hanging hooks or racks set against a wall instead of suspended from the ceiling. Mirrors installed over the stove will allow you to look inside pots without having to lean over.

Protect your legs and feet with an extra long apron that is heatproof. You can make one by using the material to make oven mitts and sew an extension from your hips to your feet. Make sure the extension covers your legs and feet.

Durable floor

You need to make sure your flooring is particularly strong and can survive a lot of wear and tear from the wheelchair. The more durable types of laminate flooring and linoleum can withstand a high level of wheelchair use. Rubber floors in areas such as bathrooms are popular because they are durable and a slip–resistant surface accommodates wheelchairs.

Garden

Make sure you can navigate around the garden which involves adding wide pathways that allow you to reach the flowerbeds for planting, watering or weeding. Hanging plants, raising beds and rail systems makes for a much easier and maintainable garden.

Bathroom

As it is another area of the house where accidents can easily occur, it is important to make this area safe and accessible not only for yourself but for others in case of an emergency. Attach a number of grip bars and railings to prevent injury. Allocate enough space for a wheelchair to pull in and back out. A walk in/roll in shower works quite well. Tub transfer seats in the bathtub will allow you to sit in the tub and take a bath or shower without having to lower yourself to the tub floor.

Bathroom sinks should be able to accommodate users of varying heights. Toilets can be replaced with special units or raised seats can be installed. Toilet grab bars can be put in for balance and support and to allow individuals to safely transfer from a wheelchair.

Homemade office space

If you're finding it hard to get to work, setting up a home office provides an easy way to get back into a regular, productive work routine. Some options to consider would include a wheelchair accessible desk, foot-activated mouse, adjustable furniture and speaking devices that record and respond to voice commands.

Going up and down

If your house has several floors, residential elevators, vertical wheelchair lifts, or a stair lift can be installed to get you from one floor to another. Wheelchair lifts and stair lifts are less costly and are more space-efficient.

Doors

In order to accommodate a wheelchair, doorways should be a minimum of 80cm wide. If the doorway is located in the typical hallway and requires turning a wheelchair, you'll need an 80cm door. Be aware of plumbing and electrical lines. If there are utilities located in the wall you can consider double wall installation.

Every little bit counts

Changing little things around the house can make a big difference. Features such as raised electrical outlets, lowered switches, swing away hinges, grab bars and safety rails around the house offer a great deal of help and increase accessibility. Take other preventative measures by removing loose carpets or rugs that could cause you to trip.

Dubai's disabled access areas

Most buildings in Dubai have disabled access as they provide a ramp and lift. The following are a number of wheelchair friendly hotspots in Dubai: Dubai Museum, Heritage and Diving Villages, Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Festival Centre, Mercato Mall, CineStar Cinemas – Deira City Centre, CineStar Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates, Grand Megaplex – Ibn Batuta Mall, Grand Cinema – Mercato Mall , Al Mamzar Beach Park, Children's City, Al Bustan Centre, Al Ghurair Centre. Dubai also runs a number of tours that cater to people with disabilities; North Tours, 04-222 2808 and Orient Tours, 04-282 8238.