 Home Safty Modifications |
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In most cases, your house, apartment, condominium, or townhouse will need to be modified to be fully accessible and continue to be your home. Since the modifications are best made while you are in rehabilitation, it is advisable to get started on them as soon as possible. Making changes is not always as complex as it may appear. Simply selecting a certain product or installing a new device is sometimes all that is needed to enable you to live safely and with the greatest amount of independence. Following are features of the various areas of your living space that are well suited to people with a SCI.
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BATHROOMS
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- Showers and Bath Tubs
- Water Controls and Valves
- Counters and Sinks
- Towel Racks, Soap Dishes, Mirrors, and Floors
- Toilets
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KITCHENS
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Sinks that are no deeper than 6 inches, have drainage at the rear, allow for knee space underneath; underside sink surface and pipes are insulated; adjustable-height sinks are available.
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BEDROOMS
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Adequate space around the bed for wheelchair access and movement; bed height should be level with wheelchair seat height; firm mattress for dressing and transfers; a light switch, telephone, clock, etc. easily accessible at the bed
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DOORWAYS AND DOORS
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Minimum clear width for doorways of 32 inches for wheelchair passage; clear width of narrow doorways can be increased by 1 ½ to 2 inches with offset or fold-back hinges, be removing the door, or installing a pocket door which slides into the wall when not in use
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FLOORS, HALLWAYS, AND WALLS
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Hard surface floors -- such as wood, vinyl, tile, or tightly woven carpeting installed tight to the floor - with a flat, non-skid surface; joints of a tile floor provide a measure of friction and patterns can be selected that mask scuff marks from wheelchair tires
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WINDOWS, STORAGE, LAUNDRY, AND COUNTERS
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Windows that open outward and are easy to operate; horizontal sliding windows are recommended -- casement windows, which are difficult to operate and require a free area in front of them are not recommended; inaccessible windows can be power operated
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MACHANICAL AND ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES
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- Light switches and lighting
- Heating, A/C, and central vacuum
- Safety and mailboxes
- Ramps
- Lifts and hoists
- Elevators and transportation
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