Home Barrier-Free Home
Originally published in Arthritis Today

By Beth Blaney

Multiple staircases, narrow halls and tight doorways. Hard-to-reach cabinets and outlets, and small bathrooms. Unfortunately, many houses are still designed with standard features like these. But what if you don't function like a "standard" person? For people with restricted range of motion - like those with arthritis - daily activities become especially challenging in a house that can't accommodate limited physical abilities.

You may have trouble entering or leaving your home, opening or closing doors, reaching for cabinets, and using bathroom facilities. Climbing stairs may be out of the question if your knee or hip joints are affected. And maneuvering walkers and wheelchairs (if necessary) through standard-sized entrances and hallways can be frustrating and exhausting - if not impossible.

The good news is architects, contractors and interior designers are creating and remodeling more and more homes with accessibility in mind. They're meeting requirements for handicapped access, and providing adaptable designs that can later be modified to suit a person's changing needs as a result of illness or aging. Accessible design offers friendlier, safer and easier-to-use homes, according to the experts. 

The basic elements of accessible design, which is also referred to as "universal" or "adaptable" design, include:

• open, spacious rooms
  
• wider doorways and hallways
  
• first-floor access to laundry facilities, and at least one bedroom and bathroom
  
• lower thresholds in doorways and shower stalls
  
• easy access - indoors and out of the house.

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