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Hi,

My partner and I are in the process of buying a property with two barns suitable for conversion into holiday cottages. We would like to make these as wheelchair friendly as possible, but still usable by non-wheelchair using clients as well. What do wheelchair users find essential? What is desirable but not essential?

We have got dimensions etc. for turning spaces, access to bathroom facilities, beds and furniture etc but after that we are sort of stuck! For instance.........

- Is a low sink/hob/work surface in the kitchan essential or desirable?
- How easy is it for wheelchair users to access floor-standing fridges, freezers, dishwashers and ovens?
- Is anything required to make it easier for prople to carry things from the oven/dishwasher etc to the work surface?
- Is a bath or shower generally preferred?

We realise that the answers to a lot of questions will depend on the nature of the individual's disability, but any general advice would be much appreciated! Please don't just stick to the questions above - ANY information you feel is useful would be welcome!

Many thanks

Christine Wilder

wow this is wonderful

A low sink and work space is essential

 

a refrigorator with the freezer at the bottom is a lot easier

 

I ususally use oven mits also a tray that the wheelchair user can mount to there chair would be good

an a shower chair and also a handheld shower head is best you can get one with a convertor so that  non wheelchair users can just use the mounted shower head make sure there are hand rails in th shower for those who have weak trunk balance

 also a drop hand commode would be nice 

 

I think you'd have a star attraction in the bathroom by adding an easy transfer "Jacuzzi Tub"!
[I'd give my eye teeth for one of these!!!]

 

 

 

 

Do you have one of those big office chairs with arms and wheels?  If so run through the house and see for yourself.  Keep the top of the seat lower than 24" and roll around the house.  I think it is great that you are trying to do this but it is hard to keep reasonable without seeing the place.  If you have questions about a certain thing then might be able to help a little more.

 

- I use a regular heigth kitchen counters and everyhting but some people like them lower.

-I have a normal fridge/freezer, but I can not reach the top shelf very well so not much is stuck up there.  My oven is normal and all good, just make sure the buttons are in the front.  My dishwasher is my only problem, where I put it before I got injured I can only get to one side now when it is open and it need 36" on both sides.

-Going from place to place in the house like oven to counter to fridge and around in the kitchen, a level floor!  My house looks level but if I sit in the middle of my kitchen I start rolling so I always hang on to the fridge door when I look in there or when I am loading the dishwasher I hang on while putting dishes in because of it.  It really annoys me.

-I perfer a shower/bath combo.  It needs to have the shower head cord that is long enough to reach the other side of the shower.  Having a padded shower chair and a padded elevated toilet seat in a closet or something would be nice incase you need it.

 

I hope that helps.

- Is a low sink/hob/work surface in the kitchan essential or desirable?

A roll UNDER sink would be ideal, in the kitchen.  You can then put the diswasher next to the sink. (seeing the floor plan would help).  You could have a partial lower counter top and some at normal height for able-bodies.  Definately look into the roll under sink. If you have the room for a separate stovetop and oven, a roll under stovetop would be idea, but that is a desirable function.

- How easy is it for wheelchair users to access floor-standing fridges, freezers, dishwashers and ovens?

A side-by-side fridge/freezer is ideal.  You can reach both sides equally, however sometime the top shelfs are difficult.      Dishwashers are ok, if there is enough room to at least one side of them.  Ovens??? there is a company (GAGGENEAU) that makes ovens that open to the side allowing closer access and eliiminates the worry of being burned from the open oven door. 

- Is anything required to make it easier for prople to carry things from the oven/dishwasher etc to the work surface?
I just balance things on my lap. As for hot items we have a counter top close enough to the oven that it can be removed and sat right on a counter top.

- Is a bath or shower generally preferred? 

Personally..a roll in shower with a fold down PADDED seat is prefferred.

We built our house from the ground up and did all of the planning ourselves. I hope some of this will help.  my email is  toddswheels@aol.com

I suspect that wheelchair accessabl and wheelcairs are desighned by people who are not disabeld, thats my opinion. The fact that my chair turns the power off when I hit something. I have to use the tilt and space to get it going. I broke my leg at Walmart, do to this feture. Some kids were asking me for a ride and wile I was telling them no, they jumpet on my chair hit the joy stick and ran me into a large TV. I couldn't back up I couldn't tilt back my chair my foot was twisted almost all the way around, I felt my leg brake. My chair has been in the shop so many times I lost count, once for a year. The Government has put enough money in it to buy me three chairs, and I have had it for eight years. It seems to me that the Government spends more money trying to save money. I supose I should be gratefull with the amount of money I have I couldn't buy my own chair. Rabbitblue Tom 

Hi Christine........what a great idea.......I can only add my two cents.......at that would be to second Olivette's suggestion for a " Jacuzzi Tub ".........I'd LOVE that particular feature...........and dream regularly of owning one of those suckers ! Good luck with the property and the plans !.......Peace and love......Norma

 I'd suggest considering turning radius in areas like bathroom and kitchens..make sure we'd have room to spin/turn around ane make transfers, carry food, etc. I think a low counter would be nice but not necessary in most cases (especially for a vacation spot). I personally prefer a tub but supplying a shower chair might meet the needs of both groups. This sounds like a great project-wish I could be a tester guest!