The company WheelPad designs small homes specifically for people with disabilities, but in most cases you can collaborate with a tiny-home builder who either offers accessibility options or is willing to modify existing plans. Here's some advice.
Check Regulations
Many municipalities have zoning laws for “accessory dwelling units,” which are stand-alone spaces separate from the main home on a property. Officials may waive certain rules if you have an urgent situation. Tiny homes built on a chassis with wheels fall into the recreational vehicle category, which can make approval easier. For those in urban environments or who don't have land for a tiny home, an accessible apartment may be more feasible.
Know Your Needs
People with Parkinson's disease, for example, may walk slowly and unsteadily and be at risk for falls and may eventually need walkers or wheelchairs, neither of which maneuver well in older, smaller homes. If a family member is a caregiver, you may want to attach a small unit to the main house. People whose conditions are more manageable may want accessible tiny homes on their own properties.
Work with Your Medical Team
Some occupational therapists can look at blueprints or photos and make suggestions, says Kathy Zackowski, PhD, OTR, associate vice president for research at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “Bring pictures of a house or a house plan, along with dimensions, and discuss specific issues you may have, such as standing up after using the toilet or getting into and out of a bathtub,” she says. Reach out to your doctors or rehabilitation therapists about any equipment or modifications you might need, advises Eileen Brodecki, an occupational therapist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. “Describe how you spend your time during the day and on weekends to solve any accessibility problems prior to construction.”
Focus on Bathroom Design
Bathrooms should have clearance for wheelchairs and easy access to bathtubs or showers, says Glenn Seliger, MD, a rehabilitation neurologist and director of traumatic brain injury services at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, NY.
Maximize Independence
“Create a space where you can pull up to the sink and wash dishes, wheel yourself from the bedroom to the kitchen without bumping walls, roll up to the front door, shower independently, and wheel out to the porch and grill,” says Brodecki.
Choose Your Builder Well
Look for a builder who is familiar with “universal design,” an architectural movement dedicated to accommodating all people, including those with disabilities, says Dr. Seliger.
Plan Financially
The initial cost of a tiny home may feel like an obstacle, but for people who are downsizing, it may be an affordable option with lower upkeep costs than a larger home. Many federal, state, and private organizations offer grants for remodeling a home to make it accessible for people with disabilities. The Assisted Living Conversion Program, operated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, for example, helps seniors with disabilities who need home renovations. For veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers grants of as much as $117,014 for fiscal year 2024 for specially adapted housing, as well as other grants and loans. States also may have grant and loan provisions. Contact your state's office of assistive technology. To find out what's available in your community, visit the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification.
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