When you’re looking for a new home as a person with disabilities, you’ll want to know that you can live comfortably and safely in your home. Accessibility not only is a necessity, but it also provides peace of mind and creates a safe space where you know you can go about your day without having to worry about non-accessible features.
To help our customers with disabilities, we’re dedicated to building and designing handicap accessible manufactured homes that meet your needs and desires. Discover 10 features you can ask for in your manufactured home to increase accessibility!
10 Accessible Features for Your Manufactured Home
For your custom luxury manufactured home, consider these 10 accessibility features for you or a family member with disabilities.
1. Install a Ramp
One of the most commonly recommended features for ADA compliance and accessibility is a ramp for the entrance. If the home doorway is raised so that a step is required to get into the home, a ramp is a vital accessibility feature to allow people who use wheelchairs or those who may have trouble with stairs to safely get into the home. While it’s best practice to have a ramp for every entrance that requires a step, even just one entrance with a ramp can quickly improve the home’s accessibility.
2. An Accessible Bathroom
Did you know that over 80% of falls occur in the bathroom? This number can be higher for the elderly or those with mobility challenges. That’s why an accessible bathroom can make a world of difference for people with disabilities. Small yet crucial elements allow for a stress-free and relaxing experience when getting ready in the morning or winding down at night.
There are two main options for an accessible bathroom shower: a sliding glass door shower or a tub with a low ridge. Both can be equipped with a seat and handles to make transfers safe and comfortable. Many people who use wheelchairs prefer a sliding glass door shower that is wide enough to allow their chair to also fit through the entrance. A tub is also a great option for those who may find it easier to bathe rather than shower to get clean.
Other accessible features include a wide enough space for chair access to the bathroom, a low enough toilet seat and handles for transfer, and sinks that are in line with chair heights.
3. Consider an Open Floor Plan
Narrow hallways and tight corners can be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair or for those with mobility challenges. To help you be as comfortable as possible in your own home, an open floor plan is a great way to eliminate narrow passages within the home. Plus, open floor plans can make your home feel more spacious and provide more light throughout the home!
Browse our customizable floor plans to find your perfect open-concept home!
4. Widen the Doors
Another vital feature of an accessible home is wider doors. This allows for those who use a wheelchair to easily and safely exit and enter the home and move throughout the rooms. The common recommendation is that the door is anywhere from 32” to 36” wide with the front door being at least 36”.
5. Replace with Sliding Doors
People with disabilities or those who use wheelchairs often find the standard swing door difficult to use throughout their homes. One easy replacement for a standard door is a sliding door. Not only does this make the home more accessible, but you could even add a touch of classic farmhouse-style charm to your luxury manufactured home with barn sliding doors!
6. Lower the Handles
If you don’t like the sliding door look or still need the standard swinging door on your entry doors, another feature you can consider adding to your home is lower handles. This allows people who use wheelchairs to easily access the handles without having to uncomfortably reach to open or lock doors in the home.
7. A Kitchen Built for Everyone
Whether you consider yourself an amateur chef or just enjoy preparing meals for your family, your kitchen should be built to the needs of everyone in your family. A few ways you can make your kitchen more accessible include:
- Have low cabinets that are within easy reach.
- Lower the counters and the sinks.
- Request an L- or U-shaped counter space for easy maneuvering.
- Buy a dishwasher that slides out rather than swings out.
- Controls for the oven and burners should be within reach of a wheelchair.
- Have a microwave installed at wheelchair height, or sit the microwave on the counter.
- Avoid kitchen islands that can cause narrow pathways throughout the kitchen.
8. Choose the Best Flooring for You
Floors can make a huge difference in the accessibility of a home. For example, someone in a wheelchair won’t be able to easily navigate through a home with a lot of carpet. On the other hand, someone prone to falls or seizures may prefer carpet to pad any falls. Take time to consider the best floor material for your new accessible manufactured home. Hardwood laminate and vinyl plank make a great and beautiful addition to your home if you have a person who uses a wheelchair in your home. Or look at stunning, soft carpeting options if you’d like a softer home!
9. Install Stability Handles
Stability handles are a great way to make transfers easier and safer—they may even help provide independence to people with disabilities. Stability handles are designed to give extra support in areas where slipping or falling is a higher risk, for example, in the shower, around the bathroom, or in other wet areas. Determine where you’d like to have extra stability in your home and talk with your housing consultant about installation options in your new home.
10. Remove the Screens
Screens can be one more annoying step for those with disabilities to navigate—or worse, they can become a barrier in times of emergency. To make life easier in your home, you may want to forgo screens on your doors or windows to help make your home a touch more accessible and safe for those with disabilities in your home.
Find Accessibility and Luxury Living with Prestige Home Centers
Whether you’re looking for a handicap accessible manufactured home for yourself or someone in your family, Prestige Home Centers is happy to help you find the best home that fits your needs! We offer built-to-order homes that provide full customization options—both for accessibility and luxury living. Visit a model center today to tour available floor plans and find your next dream home with us!