Barrier Free Homes

If you are or will shortly be the primary caregiver for a person of any age who has mobility issues, you might consider upgrading to a barrier free living space. Barrier free simply indicates a situation in which the Leslieville homes of disabled persons present no impediment to their going about their daily chores and allow them to get around the house unassisted. Use this article as a starting point toward obtaining a barrier free home.

Barriers

Some barriers are obvious to able bodied people while others would never even occur to them if they weren't pointed out by the disabled person. Stairs, for instance, are the most commonly recognized barrier, as they prevent a person in a wheelchair from ascending to the next floor. This barrier can be removed in Markham, Ontario real estate and public buildings by the installation of wheelchair ramps or by putting in an elevator. Other common types of barriers include printed text (which cannot be read by illiterate or visually impaired people) and sink taps that are too high to be reached by wheelchair bound or little persons.

The important thing for homeowners and caregivers in recognizing and removing barriers in their Toronto townhouses is to assess the capabilities of the individual in their care and adapt the home accordingly. For instance, if your charge was in a wheelchair but had perfect vision, there would be no need to add Braille to the signage.

Buying a new home

Accessibility is an increasingly popular concern, and as a result some new housing is being built with disabled persons in mind. Some features of these new homes include larger tubs and bathrooms with conveniently placed grab bars, a lack of stairs, and wider doorways that can be set to operate automatically. Such homes will be denoted in the MLS Durham Region as "barrier free," "fully accessible," or "wheelchair equipped."

Renovating an old one

There's no need to abandon a perfectly good piece of Oakville real estate just because you will be adding a disabled person to the family. Most homes can be retrofitted to accommodate barrier free access with a minimum of hassle. Get recommendations from your doctor or from the disabled person as to what needs to be done, then have contractors in to give estimates on the feasibility and cost of the work. These types of renovations usually qualify for tax credits in Canada, so be sure to fill out the proper paperwork.