As people with disabilities age, they will need accessible housing that makes it easier to get into and move around. It is a sad fact that the vast majority of homes aren’t built with accessibility in mind. In fact, only around one-third of housing can be modified to disability needs and just a tiny percentage of homes are wheelchair accessible. That’s why it’s so important to build more homes that are designed with accessibility in mind.
The majority of people want to remain in their own homes as they grow older and as the increasing population ages, more accessible housing will be needed. It should include a variety of features that make it easier for people with disabilities to access their home and its amenities, such as ramp entrances, wide doors and hallways, toilets on the ground floor, and built-in grab bars in bathrooms and kitchens. There are a number of different ways to create accessible housing, including making it part of the design and construction process or providing incentives for builders to include these features. For Construction Companies, go to www.piggottandwhitfield.co.uk/building-services/
However, many homeowners don’t have the financial resources to pay for house renovations that make their homes more accessible. That’s why some governments have created reimbursement programmes to help with the costs of modifying an existing home for accessibility. These programmes can make a big difference for families who need to stay in their own homes and communities.
A lack of affordable and accessible housing has also made it difficult for disabled households to find and maintain a safe home environment. This has a disproportionate impact on low-income disabled households, who are more likely to be forced out of their homes and have a harder time finding new places to live.
Unnecessary damage to property can be caused when people with disabilities are forced into inappropriate accommodation. For instance, when wheelchairs or other mobility devices are dragged through narrow doorways and hallways, they can cause permanent damage. It’s important to address these barriers by creating more affordable and accessible homes.
Thankfully, builders and developers are recognising the need to build more accessible housing and have been offering it as an option in their developments. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and safe housing. Incentives for builders can improve the housing stock and enable individuals with disabilities to access their community, stay in their own homes, and spend less money on maintenance or modification over the lifetime of the property.
