Planning major renovations?
Then pay special attention to making your driveway, main entrance, entrance hall and hallways more accessible. These heavily used areas provide access to your home and its various rooms, which is why they must be safe and easy to get around in.
Sufficient space, proper lighting and securely attached, non-slip floor coverings are a few suggestions that should allow you to live independently in your home now, and for a long time to come.
Depending on your needs, you could make provision for the following:
 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| area of 1500 mm (60 in.) in diameter alongside your vehicle, in front of your main entrance and on your patio to allow a wheelchair room to turn |
| sidewalk with a minimum unobstructed width of 1100 mm |
| no front step |
| entranceway allowing for the installation of an access ramp (see Stairs and Access Ramp Information) |
| address number at least 100 mm (4 in.) high in a contrasting color |
| mailbox 1050 mm (42 in.) above ground level |
| unobstructed space of at least 1200 mm (48 in.) between doors plus the width of any door opening into the hallway
|
|
|
| minimum unobstructed opening of 760 mm (30 in.) for the bathroom and 800 mm (32 in.) for other rooms |
| 600 mm (24 in.) clearance on the knob side if door opens towards you and 300 mm (12 in.) if it opens away from you (See illustration above) |
| peephole 1100 mm to 1500 mm (44 in. to 60 in.) above floor level |
| easy-to-use lever-type door knobs requiring little strength |
| wedge-shaped (1:2 slope) sills no higher than 13 mm (1/2 in.)
|
| stable, solid, non-slip surfaces |
| wedge-shaped risers (1:2 slope) for differences in floor level under 13 mm (1/2 in.) |
| ramps for differences in floor levels greater than 13 mm (1/2 in.) (See Stairs and Access Ramps Information) |
| wall-to-wall carpeting is not recommended for hypersensitive individuals. However, if you plan on installing carpeting, make sure that it is no more than 13 mm (1/2 in.) thick, and that it is properly secured and wrinkle-free |
| minimum unobstructed width of 920 mm (36 in.) |
| handrails, if required |
| 1200 mm (48 in.) clearance in front of doors providing access to rooms |
| stronger lighting is recommended outside the front door, in the entranceway and in the hallways |
"When I have listened to my mistakes, I have grown." Hugh Prather
MGM
© ALS Independence 2003-10
(44 in.) and a 1:20 slope 