Helping Your Contractor:
Ideas for Visually Impaired Homeowners
by Jane Hampton, CID
We are currently building
a home in a Minneapolis suburb. I have MS that is affecting the use
of my legs and arms, as well as my vision. Our builder has some ideas
as to what could be done for future wheelchair access, but we are
at a loss as to what features we can incorporate for my diminishing
eyesight. Safety is a big concern. Although I am using a walker,
my balance, strength, and muscle control are just not what they used
to be, and I am misjudging visual depth and am falling a lot. Any
ideas?
Vicky, Eden Prairie, MN
Dear Vicky,
Yes, there are a lot of design features that can be incorporated
into a home to help you maintain your independence in a safe and
beautiful way to meet your needs now and later. I congratulate
your builder for taking the time to listen and go the extra distance
to incorporate access solutions and features in your new home.
This process takes a lot more time and effort; and the access solutions
should be customized to your needs. This requires expert input
to achieve a truly customized accessible home.
There are many features that can be incorporated into your home
to improve safety, maintain your independence and still offer beauty
and function in the overall design.
• High contrast
makes it easier for persons with limited vision to identify objects.
Objects stand out if they contrast with their backgrounds such as
sinks, outlets, doorways, grab bars, etc.
• Identify circulation
routes with a different floor material than those used in adjacent
rooms. Straight lines and right angles are easiest for the visually
impaired to negotiate.
• Shadows and reflections
can be deceiving and often confusing to someone with visual impairments.
Carefully place items such as hanging plants and mirrors as they
may be misperceived as people or door openings.
• Flooring transitions can be tripping hazards. All floor surfaces
and transitions should be level, with no abrupt rises—or if
necessary, rises should be detectable by a cane.
• Areas/rooms that are large or have a lot of hard surfaces
can cause “sound” confusion. Such areas should be treated
with fabrics and sound-absorbing treatments to help control sound,
making the direction of its source more obvious. Hard floor surfaces,
needed for wheelchair access, add challenge to this issue.
• Avoid any protrusion into circulation areas. Sliding and
accordian doors are preferred over swinging doors, as they do not
obstruct circulation routes. This applies to doorways and also cabinet
doors —especially wall-mounted units, which can’t be
detected with a cane.
• Stairs should
have handrails on each side that extend beyond the stairwell; as
well as texturizing on the floor area in front of the stairwell
to warn people of the nearby step up/down.
This list is just a sample of the many features that can be incorporated
into a home design or remodeling project to address reduced or no
vision.
Do you have a question?
We’ll cover all of your questions
in future issues of Home Access Answers. Please contact Access Press
at 651-644-2133 or access@accesspress.org
Accessibility Design
was founded in 1992 to enhance lives through design and project
management. They provide design, consultation, project management,
and product recommendation services specializing in home access
for individuals with disabilities at all stages of life.
