Home. The place we go to unwind after a long day is usually made comfortable to suit our lifestyle and individual taste. We frequently decorate with attractive artefacts, gadgets, and colours of our choice.

Since the home is, generally, a haven, we go to great lengths to ensure that harmful or hazardous items are kept out of close reach so we can safeguard ourselves and our precious loved ones. Unfortunately, in thinking of safety while arranging or decorating our homes, we rarely think about people with special needs and how easily they could get around our homes if we were ever honoured to have them as guests. Many real estate construction companies neglect to include modifications to aid the less physically-abled to get about in the architecture of their homes for sale.

Even if you cannot think of a friend of family member who has disabilities requiring those modifications in your home to accommodate them, it doesn’t hurt to have some basic modifications in place, as you never know what may happen and how urgently you may need to make changes should the situation arise.

To help with this, here are a few simple tips to help you make the home accessible to people with disabilities should the need arise.

• The bathroom

Of all the important rooms in the house to remodel, the bathroom is one which everyone uses and considers important. Even though it may largely be persons with disabilities who may require assistance when using the toilet and bathroom, installing a grab bar alongside the shower’s sides and toilets may prove beneficial to everyone else as well.

In addition, instead of a step-in tub, consider a low or zero-curb shower to improve stability. Touchless equipment that require fewer movements to operate are also recommended.

• The Kitchen

Depending on the individual’s needs, kitchen safety should be prioritised. With the availability of equipment, gadgets, and utensils that can easily cause harm, it is important to store basic needs collectively and within reach. That is, in drawers or kitchen cabinets.

Furthermore, appliances that require less effort to operate such as stoves with front-mounted regulators or buttons, as well as smart home appliances such as dishwashers, cookers, and washing machines, will be appreciated by those less able to perform the services the machines handle manually. These appliances are often sold in Accra’s numerous shopping malls.

Further to that, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other heavy appliances should not be placed in the walkway so there are fewer obstacles to impede movement.

• The Bedroom

The sleeping area; our restful sanctuary, should be clutter-free at all times. Especially for people with disabilities. Again, a grab bar beside the bed, near the bed frame, and by the door should make it easier for wheelchair users to get in and out of bed.

Beds that put an individual on the same level as mobility devices help to avoid hazards and accidents while reducing the stress levels which would be ordinarily associated with their efforts at movement.

• Staircase

Houses for sale in Accra, as well as the numerous options for apartments for rent in Accra, typically, have staircases for accessing the upper areas of the property, which can be dangerous to people who use mobility devices. As a result, certain basic modifications to make it friendly to a less able friend or family member such as the use of a handrail for people who use walkers, or even a chair lift if your financial situation allows it could be of immense help.

You could also convert the small staircase in the house you bought into ramps. To ensure safety at all times, replace the slippery floor with non-slip materials.

Specific needs necessitate specific measures; therefore, it is critical to determine what works best for the person for whom the modification is being made. Real estate developers in Accra can modify the designs of the property to meet the needs of people with disabilities if requested. Instead of remodelling and revamping the house after purchase to meet the needs of the individual, it may be preferable to request some changes from the real estate developer.

Finally, ensuring the comfort, safety, and security of people with disabilities will go a long way toward ensuring overall peace of mind and comfort, and make your home an all-inclusive haven.