Designing Accessible Homes for Everyone 🏡 Aging in Place & People with Disabilities

[@Nick_Lewis]

Use my code NL1 for 1,000 free coins & Play Home Design Makeover here: hdm.onelink.me/Eg2n/NL1

[@RiverWoods111]

So keep in mind that universal accessibility doesn't really work. You kind of said this, but I want to reiterate it. You also kind of touched on neurodivergent (NDs) people and those with ADHD needing open shelving. I think I commented that on one of the first videos I watched. Along the line of ADHD, if you are working with or have someone in the family who has ADHD, our brain's proprioception system which is in charge of our balance doesn't work quite right for over 50% of ADHD people, basically, we walk like we are drunk when we are sober. This causes me to fall a lot, and my last fall was tripping over the corner of a wall. Therefore it is important to have as many rounded corners and soft edges as possible. We are literally taught that if a police officer asks us to do a roadside sobriety test, to demand to go to the station and be blood tested because we stagger when sober and routinely fail sobriety tests out on the roadside. It is that bad. Therefore as much soft furniture as possible for our houses too. There is another type of accessibility that needs to be talked about. That is sensory accessibility. You touched on it a bit by talking about too many textures can be overstimulation, but it goes further than that. NDs who are hyper-sensitive to sensory input have "SAFE" textures. We generally prefer the super soft-to-the-touch texture. But remember not all of us are sensory sensitive, some of us are sensory seeking and those autistic and ADHDers you will find jumping out of airplanes and crazy stuff, so there will be different rules for them and their homes. Not only are textures important in sensory accessibility, but so is color. Color can keep us calm or agitate us causing us to become overwhelmed and not know why. It is also important to not have sharp corners not only because so many of us stagger like drunken sailors, but also because sharp corners are not calming in nature. This might kill you to do, but if you are designing for a household of NDs, (we travel in families if there is an autistic kid in the family then there is either 1 or both parents are autistic) the memory foam bean bags and weighted blankets are some of the best pieces you can give them. Also, NDs never outgrow plushy animals, and you should be prepared to work them into your design. Part of being a sensory-accessible designer is removing words like juvenile as in colors or accessories. You see that is ableist neurotypical social acceptability, and we don't fit into any of that. You would be offended by someone calling pink feminine or you should be! Well, the fact that I decorate with huge stuffed turtles and octopuses where you would put vases (which I would break when I knocked them off the table or credenza. When I bump into a shelving unit that has a huge octopus sitting on top of it, and it falls on me, I start to giggle and it makes for a lot more fun when explaining my newest bruise. Your vase isn't accessible to me. It hurts and can cut me if it breaks just right. Very dangerous. Also, if you are designing for a family with an autistic kid, it might be a good idea to add a punching bag to one room that maybe is covered in fur or something, because sometimes autistics are so overstimulated that we need some way to get the overload out that isn't self-harming, throwing things, slamming doors, and the likes. Sure designing for us may not be elegant design, but if done right you can have so much fun making a house sensory accessible. Most important, we need to start to have these conversations out loud, and designers need to start taking us into consideration when designing. The worst part is when designers label things that are accessible to us as juvenile design it is harmful. soft pinks and lavenders and plushy animals are not juvenile, they are sensory accessibility for many of us. Don't get me wrong there are autistic and ADHDers who will prefer neutrals, but it is a person-by-person choice, and most autistic and ADHDers have plushies they still sleep with if their families haven't shunned them for needing them still. Would love to see this conversation being talked about out loud in public spaces.

[@elizabethflores6278]

Nick, I love how your place looks. Can you do a video showing and explaining your home?

[@stuckinmopro8533]

I’ve had the majority of my house redone and something that really helped was to leave one of my old wheelchairs for the workers. Whenever they weren’t quite sure of where to install certain items they would get in the chair, move around and try to reach items. This crew was wonderful in making sure that everything was reachable and I’d be able to navigate.

[@4elizabeth]

I love that advice

[@Nick_Lewis]

Great tip!

[@GenXHeart]

Brilliant!!!

[@fatimao9988]

Great idea!

[@annbrookens945]

What a great idea!

[@bluecopperdesign]

Nick thank you so much for having me on your channel, our convo was so fun and enlightening. Im overwhelmed by all the kind responses, thank you all for listening to this topic!

[@teresacarle294]

😊Maegan, it was so kind of you to participate in Nick's video. ⭐️ Great info & collaboration! Will have to repeat this episode in case I missed out on anything. May I add a few things for your consideration? 1) Pocket Doors are game changers for navigating bedroom & bathrooms w/walkers & wheelchairs. This is esp. true for smaller spaces that have a tiny footprint👣. 🪛We had to remove the doors to masterbed & bath to make it easier for my dad get around on his own. He elected to go without doors. 😉 If he had been concerned about privacy, noise or temperature control, we would've had to install a barndoor set-up that could slide from the bathroom to his main entrance as needed. 🥰BTW as a tall person, he loved his sturdy canopy bed. When he needed the walker, he could back right up to high mattress & sit down. It was so easy for him to get in & out of it〰️as it was for me to help him in it later. The four posters were also great for extra support. I inherited this bed. It was awesome navigating around w/my broken leg, low blood pressure, & various assistive devices. 2) RE Counter Heights. Low counters are killer for myself @ 5'7" & father/brother who are over 6'. We three all suffer agonies in older homes w/34" or less high counters. Washing dishes & meal prep is murder on the back😖. 🤔So are having low hanging pendant lights, pot racks, & upper cabinets over an island or peninsula bar. They impede our 👀view to the area beyond, but I digress. My parents moved in a mcm home w/37" counters. 🛠My handy dad added push toe kick drawers under the sink & stove top in our galley kitchen for our petite mom (& us while we were growing). Perfection👍. The bathroom counters are 32" high in the same home. Great for petites or those in wheelchairs. Not ideal if you wanna dip you face under the faucet💦 when taller. You need workarounds w/a face cloth & rinse cup. 3) Lastly on appliance placement. Bending over & balance can become more challenging as we age. Ovens & microwaves are easiest to navigate at counter height for all concerned. Side×Side or French Door refrigerators make a world of difference. Raised D/W & front-loading W/D units are game changing. 🎉 Thx for your professional input! 🎉 💚Bridget from Cali☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)

[@elijahculper5522]

Great video. Thanks for the collab.

[@beathinks]

I’m a disabled 26 year old who (currently) can still walk, but my mobility is steadily decreasing. It means a lot to have a creator (especially one who [as far as I know] isn’t disabled) take the time to learn about and share with us how we can make our homes more accessible while still keeping it homey.

[@Nick_Lewis]

I am not, but I’m also eager to learn and share what I can. Also it was great to learn from Maegan. Hope you found the video helpful.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

37 and same... I wholly agree. I plan to future proof my future home with roll under sinks, main floor master with fully accessible bathroom, and an artfully designed ramp outside. I already use a rollator when out in public about half the time. The rest I use my cane.

[@claireh.7605]

You basically copy the design of nursing home rooms and bathrooms and you’ll be fine! Large handles, sliding doors with high quality sliders that don’t break, and wide dooorways.

[@jodiblackman7838]

@@claireh.7605 The greater attention to detail you pay now, the more money you will save later. Designing for accessibility & aging in place should really be the standard for all new home builds, everywhere.

[@jodiblackman7838]

@@Chaotic_Pixie check out what Maegan says about roll under sinks - there are better options.

[@Mary-wg6tj]

I had aging parents and a husband in a wheelchair. I found that a toilet seat bidet was really helpful for maintaining some semblance of dignity for them. I found the ones that run on electricity really work the best- you get warm water and a warm seat. Washes and dries - can also come in really handy if you have back spasm issues or arthritic hands. I have the Biobidet and cannot recommend it enough.

[@bonniecriscione-brown1225]

thank you for mentioning!

[@katebowers8107]

Came here to say this.

[@Speireata4]

Thank you, have just found that a relative does seem to struggle with that part of hygiene recently. I will see if something like that is an option here.

[@jocelynturner2532]

We have one of these (known in Austria as a “shower toilet” or sometimes referred to as a Japanese toilet where they are common. But we hadn’t thought of the accessibility benefits. Brilliant! You’ve listed so many good ones.

[@johnswheelworld]

Have the same, the BB-2000, easy to use and install, one button operation with remote control. Just need a GFI outlet.

[@elijahculper5522]

I work in home healthcare. I’ve seen a ton of homes that run the gamut in terms of style. Prolly the prettiest home I’ve ever worked in was a house that a couple built after the wife found out she had Parkinson’s. The level of care that was put into making sure that she’d still be able to be at home as her disease progressed was stunning. They had countertops that could be lowered to accommodate someone who was wheelchair bound, wide hallways with big pieces of artwork that made it feel almost like a museum, floors with traction for a wheelchair or walker, a gorgeous front yard with a ramp and hanging flowers that could be lowered so the wife could get to them to take care of them, a big, screened in patio with more live plants in vases chosen to be easy to reach from a wheelchair, a big bathroom with a high toilet that has space around it so we could help her, a walk in shower with a soft bench so she could easily get into the shower and have a comfortable place to sit, bright rooms with lots of natural light to keep her oriented to time and reduce hallucinations, their microwave was a drawer at waist height so she could reach down into it instead of up, no bumps in doorways for floor materials changing. Just everything was made with her condition in mind. There’s no need to sacrifice beauty for accessibility. And there is something truly beautiful about design that empowers people to stay in their homes with maximal autonomy.

[@bethfarnsworth1727]

Long time watcher, first time commenter. I just want to say thank you so so much for this video. I kind if choked up a bit because of how unexpected it was, but how seen I felt. My life completely changed when I turned 27 and I suddenly became disabled and it completely turned my life and the way I live and see the world on its head. Accessibility is so so important to help people feel like they are part of society and even more important in the home where you want to rest and get a break from life. You want your home to be your safe place. I just really appreciate the thoughtfulness of this topic❤️

[@clicquot2271]

Yes! I got choked up, too. I was lucky and recovered almost 100% from a sudden total disability. Took 8 months of intensive PT, OT, Speech/ Swallowing therapy before I could return home, and over 3 years of continued therapy twice a week. I’m grateful every day. A few fateful seconds can change anyones life forever.

[@MrShaeliza]

This is HUGE 🙌 the first video I’ve EVER come across discussing accessibility design, and you did it for the layperson, not just for those in the industry. You made your universal design video universally designed lol 😂

[@Nick_Lewis]

I haven’t seen one either and I thought it was an important one to make.

[@vclay2547]

I had the same reaction. This was excellent. Many of us may need this resource for ourselves or someone we know. One other product that may be useful is the closet rod you can pull down to access clothes on an upper tier. It's shaped somewhat like a goal post that you pull down with the rod. I've seen it on Amazon, although it's a bit pricey. But accessibility will probably cost more until it becomes mainstream in our increasingly aging population. Thanks so much, Nick!

[@jaysonx5576]

Great vid. I was pondering the other day if there were designers who specialize in this. Including designers who are themselves blind etc. I don’t assume they aren’t able to, merely curious how they do it differently. 👍🏾

[@nicroach9785]

As a neurodivergent person, thank you for mentioning the rounded corners and possibility of overwhelm. Both are very important.

[@kbal1451]

I've been getting around in a manual wheelchair for 16 years, after becoming paralysed at 40, so aging and disability are both a thing for me. Thanks for discussing it, universal design is important for everyone.

[@bonnie_rose]

Thank you so much for talking about accessibility! It’s a topic people typically don’t think about until it affects them. As a 30-something with long-COVID, you never know what your needs will become. The future isn’t certain, and the more we design with accessibility in mind, the more we design for EVERYONE. Even typical people benefit from accessibility in design.

[@nogames8982]

As a person who is visually impaired, I would like to point out the importance of good lighting. Also, things like skylights help bring in a great deal of light. And some thing I have noticed people seem to forget, sometimes is rails on stairs. Even if it's just a couple stairs, a rail is handy.

[@rickaredough]

Great info! I am a disabled architect and you two did a great job conveying the needs and design solutions very easily!

[@Nick_Lewis]

Thanks so much! I’m glad I did the topic justice.

[@nogames8982]

I worked in physical therapy for 25 years. It is heartbreaking to see somebody have to move out of their home because it is not accessible. If you plan on aging in place do the work now on your house, don't wait until it's absolutely necessary. It doesn't have to end up looking like a nursing home. bathrooms almost always are the main culprit.

[@elijahculper5522]

I’m a home health aide. I second all of this. I’m more than happy to do whatever I can to help you stay in your home as you age. But I’m not a miracle worker. If your home is an unsafe environment for you, I’m legally required to report that. And if you’re not able to make the home safe, (at least in my state) Adult Protective Services will cause problems and sometimes force people to move into a facility. It’s heartbreaking when someone has to leave the home they love because it’s unsafe. It’s infuriating to see contractors and fixit people overcharge seniors to make their homes more accessible cos they know their clients aren’t capable of doing the renovations on their own. Plan to live a long happy life and be realistic about the fact that longevity by necessity its means you’re gonna become differently abled. It’s best to make your home a safe environment for people with disabilities before you’ve got a disability of your own.

[@StevieMcQween]

My parents have a sunken living room that's one step down, and it's amazed me over the years how many people trip and don't see the step at all. If you have sunken rooms that are one or two steps down, you may want those steps to be different colors from the flooring so it's a visual cue to visitors. I've noticed this especially with those who are aging, and even if we've mentioned it a couple times, they often forget. My parents also renovated their bathroom so they can age in place, and they added a larger curb for the bathtub so it would be easier to sit on and then lower yourself into. The accessibility bars they added in their bathroom were reinforced under the tile and matched the shower accessories and towel bars so everything looks sleek and cohesive. I think it's important to have accessible home decor that also looks good. No one wants to feel like they living a nursing home, they want to feel like they're in their home that's meant and designed for them. Thank you for covering this topic! I would be curious to hear more from you about home design for ADHD and autism.

[@tamaramartin4015]

We're actually in both categories -- hubs and i are getting older, and our teenage granddaughter is going blind. We'll be moving into a different house in the next few years, and both aging-in-place and her disability will be priorities in how and what we renovate. We're going to put in a bathroom downstairs next to her room so she won't have to deal with the stairs as much, and we'll light the stairs as well; making the stairs safer for her is actually our top priority. And just an fyi: GE has a line of appliances for the visually impaired. Thanks for a great and really important video, Nick. Well done.

[@marylhere]

Good to know…my son is visually impaired. He needs buttons…screens are confusing to him. There are accessibility settings on his phone and iPad but he still has trouble with them.

[@tamaramartin4015]

@@marylhere There's definitely a need for tactile elements; i hope manufacturers keep that in mind.

[@availanila]

I struggled to transition to tablets and touch screens when I was younger. Wish both of you, and your granddaughter and son all the best.

[@tamaramartin4015]

@@availanila Thank you.

[@thekirksiffs5285]

I am 67 and my husband is 71. We have lived in our home for 34 years now. At the time we built it, the step-down living rooms and family rooms were very on trend. We are about to start a big reno of our first floor to bring those lowered rooms up to all one consistent level. We are also opening up a narrow hallway. This is being done with the intention of aging in place. Our first floor has a bath with a shower and a den that could be a bedroom if needed. For now, we still use both floors (bedrooms upstairs), but if we really had to, we could live on the first floor only with all the essentials needed and still have 1200sq ft of space. We have no mortgage left, love our neighborhood, and live in a very expensive part of the country. Selling and moving just seems not sensible when we can have our home changed for long term aging. We are also actively downsizing in place: releasing possessions that we no longer need or want for an overall simpler lifestyle, and to save our kids from having to deal with our "baggage" when we are gone.

[@karenhalgren3889]

Smart thinking! We had our living room raised several years ago so now our home is all one level. Think about a roll in shower. They are amazing with plenty of room for a wheelchair if needed. Im use a powerchair fulltime and its been great to have the extra room. We installed the hand held wand low enough I can reach it as well as had a shelf built in for my shampoo bottkes and such.

[@cynthiajohnston424]

Wonderful " forward thinking " ! When buying our home decades ago , my husband wanted rural acreage & large home for just the two of us ( no children ) However , being almost twelve years older , I discussed " aging " - eventual downsizing , future maintenance / property repairs / upkeep we'd have to hire out , etc. & also pointed out older friends & family as examples whose lifestyles changed w/ aging . Our forever home is a small one story on one + acre w/ neighbors close but not too close , rural area yet on the edge of town . Nice to have learned fr. others & planned ahead . 🥰

[@hazelem1266]

We are also the same ages as you. We have been downsizing our possessions (not our space.) it has taken two years to get rid of about 90%, though it is very difficult, but we’re getting there.

[@cynthiajohnston424]

@@hazelem1266 Great ! Interesting that as we age , we have learned what really matters most in our lives . Just gotta laugh at some trends popping in design , " capsule wardrobes " , new tech to replace " old " tech , etc. Some of us have been doing practical , classic , traditional thruout our lives - like to think we have just good ol' common sense ! 🥰

[@sherrimorris3560]

We are in the process of downsizing from a large farm to smaller property with all of the rooms we'll be using on one level. There are rooms upstairs that we'll never use but there for guests that visit. Furniture has dust sheets over them and a light dust & mop is all that's needed before they arrive. The scaling down of possessions hasn't been too difficult but the kids get first choice. It's been almost a year of scaling down and whatever is left at the farm goes into a huge estate sale. Wish it was all in the rearview mirror, I'm way over it all. 🥴

[@elemore22]

Great info! A tip about designing for someone with dementia-rugs, or patterned carpet, can sometimes be confusing for a person with dementia/Alzheimer’s to walk on. My grandpa would always try to step over rugs because he thought they were holes in the ground.

[@P-Funk69]

This is also a problem for people with vestibular ( innear ear) issues. Visually busy patterns appear that they are moving and can be very hard to walk over without becoming dizzy / losing balance

[@randyhorncastle8775]

Also patterned flooring and shiny finishes.

[@phoenixfritzinger9185]

So that explains the really ugly carpet in the lobby of the retirement home my great grandma was in, they were trying to prevent people from accidentally wandering out of the building It was like the half of the room that had that really ugly carpet on the floor with like a waiting room thing set up in it and then the other half behind the reception desk was like standard hospital tiles

[@leagarner3675]

I would add having rails on both walls of a stairway. A pet door in the storm door. Good lighting everywhere, esp. in transition areas like from vinyl to carpet.

[@lmboh8585]

Rails on both walls are essential as I recently discovered after recent leg surgery. Being able to lean on both, and/or pull myself up the staircase as if I were skiing made it much easier to move around my house.

[@Card_Crazed]

I'd go so far as to say a single type of flooring throughout the house would be ideal.. it would get rid of the transitions.

[@rosalie.e.morgan]

Why a pet door in the storm door?

[@leagarner3675]

@@rosalie.e.morgan It's another area of transition that can be made safer. It's also safer for those with balance issues or mobility getting in and out of a chair. Having more frequent and longer access to the outdoor potty area can add to quality of life for people and their dogs.

[@no_peace]

I had radiculopathy in my right arm and I'm a delivery driver who goes up and down stairs all day. My right arm had such a loss of strength that I couldn't hold the rail if i tripped. I'd just fall. Most motel style apartments only have one rail, or have two for 6' or less then drop down to one. Not to be dramatic but I could have died. I've fallen a few times on stairs, and almost fallen but caught myself on the rail (when my arm wasn't injured). Most of us fall a few times a year Most spaces are just grotesquely inaccessible and often flat out unsafe

[@boehmlauren01]

As an able bodied person, injuries had opened my eyes a little bit, but not being able to help host family during fire evacuations really hit hard. My sister hosted 11 people while we could barely host a couple since most of them couldnt handle the stairs and make it to any of our bedrooms. Accesability is needed for everyone and in all situations.

[@anticapitalisthomedesign]

Thank you for addressing neurodivergent brains in this video!! Too often people who talk about disability & accessibility only focus on people who are blind or use mobility aids, which obviously are important, but there are so many different ways to be disabled, as you mentioned. The most frustrating thing about accessible design (for me, at least) is that what’s accessible for one person might make a space less accessible for another person, so having options and a customized ability to change things over time is ideal, but soooo expensive. Doesn’t help that a disability forces most of us into poverty, too.

[@silvasilvasilva]

Thaťs why universal design is a contradiction in terms. What works for one person may be a problem for another (think countertop and cabinet heights, for example). The best we can do is design homes for the people who live in them and, where possible, choose features that won't hamper anyone's lives (such as wider doorways or level floors). Most of everything else is down to personal needs.

[@MrCowabungaa]

Thanks a lot Nick for mentioning neurodivergence! We're often forgotten in discussions about accessibility. Here's two other tips related to neurodivergence; acoustics, and colour and light. A very echo-y room can really become overstimulating for people on the autism spectrum. So when decorating a room it can really help to pay attention to where you can put certain things to reduce echo. You can do already do a lot without immediately having to place acoustic panels. Strategically placing plants can help, putting up cloth wall decorations, rugs, avoiding leather couches and chairs, open bookcases, a table cloth or thick curtains. Those are some examples that can all help. Colour is of course even more personal, but some people on the autism spectrum can feel visually overwhelmed by bright and brightly coloured spaces. It can help to think about using less saturated colours. And for days when you feel exhausted and easily overstimulated it can help to have ways to darken the space without it becoming unusable, like having your curtains be in multiple parts so you can only close a few if need be or have lights that are less bright and have a warmer colour temperature.

[@nancyneyedly4587]

Yes! The overstimulating lights and sound. Those bare bulbs are like a laser of pain. I know everyone loves a bright and sunny room but it can be painfully overstimulating for many, and for some autistic children/adults the smallest stitch of light in a room can mean no sleep, so preventing the rising sun from coming in a room means a longer better sleep, especially in summer when the sun isn't down for very long in Canada. So true about echo-y spaces being a trigger. We thought my son (ASD) didn't like swimming but it was just the awful acoustics of the pool, as we all know they are some of the most echo-y places. If we find smaller, less frequented pools he enjoys it now. Not only neurodivergent, but all people need to be given some grace to have preferred ways of being happy in the world while also being respectful of everyones needs.

[@clicquot2271]

Good points! For me, fluorescent and LED bulbs (they pulsate) and ceiling fans when on are migraine triggers. Scents, too.

[@EmL-kg5gn]

My biggest issue by far is electrical noise. I can tolerate it most of the time but the more things people have running in their homes the worse it is for me. The place I live in now has sensor lights in the hallways, extra plugs everywhere for convenience, stuff like that. It’s by far the worst house I’ve lived in in this regard. I often want to go to the fuse box and turn the whole place off!!!! High tech homes are my worst nightmare but it seems that the people who live in them don’t hear any of it, they think they’re quiet. Meanwhile I was able to tell where I’d forgotten to turn a lamp off at the wall in total darkness just by the sound…

[@wolfsmaid6815]

this might not necessarily tie into accessibility design as much, but my husband and I are both quite tall (over 6ft) and when we built our own home we finally had the chance to build kitchen counters, showers and sinks that didn´t require us to constantly stand hunched over. I know, being tall isn´t a disability, but it really helped to prevent constant back pain.

[@HelenEttlin]

I have the opposite problem…I’m under 5’. A 36” counter is too tall but dishwashers and stoves all are for 36” counters. The only option for me is to buy a wall oven and a separate cooktop. These are quite a bit more expensive and impossible to afford on a pension. Let’s not even talk about upper cabinets…

[@elijahculper5522]

Exactly. Accessibility is about catering the space to the people who are actually going to be in it. People have different body shapes, abilities, needs, etc. you should be comfortable in your home. If that means high countertops, then yeah. That’s an accessibility issue. All that stooping over isn’t good for you and neither is the stretching or standing on chairs that short people deal with. I happy for you and your husband that you now get to live in a home that’s tailored to you. :)

[@darkessraven]

I recall one of the early Property Brothers episodes in NYC where they did that for a tall couple who cooks a lot. The brothers actually almost forgot and the couple grilled them for that . In the end, the brothers enjoyed it as they are also tall.

[@CeruleanStar]

Thanks for making this video! And thanks for including us neurodivergent folk! As someone who's AuDHD, the forgetting things you don't see is definitely a problem with adhd. My autism makes up for some of it, but I still always forget about the vegetables I have in the drawers in the fridge and the like. I eat more of them if I can see them. Sensory issues are also something really important to take into consideration, like you mentioned with textures. More accomodations for this could look like: buying appliances with a silent mode for alarms/beeping, using soft lighting or having a way to turn the light level down, keeping earplugs or noise cancelling headphones accessible, having a way to control background noise, etc. You can also do the opposite and put things you like sensory-wise around the house. If you love leather, buy a leather couch. Love fleece? Keep a fleece blanket in the livingroom. Love music? Set up smart speakers around the house so you always have music while doing chores. Love cozy nooks? Make one. Do you need a quiet space to relax alone? Make one. Another thing is to allow yourself to accept accessibility over trends. If you like your swing chair but it's going out of style, keep it anyway. Love your open shelving even though people are moving away from it? Keep it anyway. Love your collection of rubber duckies in your bathroom even though people say it's childish? Happily live your life with your army of duckies anyway. Accessibility can look very different to different people, and that's okay. Good luck everyone, and remember that you, and your needs, are important.

[@jmsl_910]

thoughtful comment ty for posting

[@fraujohnsen6189]

I saw a great post regarding forgetting produce that you can not see. Put drawn or printed pictures of your produce on the fridge. They had a two door fridge with the freezer compartment on top and did the following organisation: produce they have on the left, what to buy on the right and produce that is going bad in the next few days ontop of the freezer door, so above the door line on the fridge. I hope I am making sense :-)

[@nancyneyedly4587]

@@fraujohnsen6189 I do this, I write down what's in the crisper, freezer or in a hidden cupboard so I don't forget. I know meal planning would help with this but I just can't seem to do it. I need to cook spontaneously according to my energy/time level at the moment so any planned meals might not happen. Lists, lists lists!

[@fraujohnsen6189]

These are some great gips shared in this comment section! I get overwhelmed with decisions easily and it helped so much when my partner and I started a meal plan for the week. Monday is pasta, tuesday is bread, thursday is potatoes... it's not so strict that it's boring (or tha same all the time) and we diverge if we like to (like yesterday, we had zucchini and rice instead of burgers), but it makes the deciding progress less stressful!

[@nancyneyedly4587]

@@stellacalder5023 I do this too! I am trying to figure out how to design my house with larger built in wardrobes/cabinets to accomodate this style of organizing.

[@jimhatch5873]

Great tips. One more that we decided on when we designed our new house - "25 year no-maintenance". We're in our early 60s and will be aging in place in what we hope is our last home. We built it assuming we'd be in wheelchairs or using walkers and that we'd not be able to do much of the maintenance ourselves. While that's not true today, we're only a slip or fall away from being less-abled. So we chose materials and designed so that we'd not need to do anything to it for 25 years. Our floors are a premium LVP that is waterproof, has a 25 yr commercial use warranty and we put it everywhere - no thresholds between the rooms. That means we're not going to have to have hardwood floors refinished in 10 years. Same for the siding - we used vinyl, really nice vinyl but still not wood or Hardieboard which the builder wanted. But we're not going to be repainting every 8-10 years. While we could hire it out, the house is built on a slope so in the back it's 45 feet from the ground to the roofline. That means a lot of extra money to hire a painter. A friend told me it's a 3X paint job - 3 times what the same job would cost if it were a 2-story house on a flat lot. Doors are all 36" wide pocket doors so we're not trying to swing open or close a door while leaning on a walker or sitting in a wheelchair. There's a reserved space on the main floor that can be used for an elevator if we can't navigate the stairs to the guest rooms and we want to be able to do that. BTW, for the smart house, try to make it automatic not just smart. Automatic means the lights turn on when you enter the room and off when you leave (and don't turn off if you're just sitting quietly) but also will allow the wall switches to still work and yes, you can have voice commands but those are generally not as useful as you might think. Did you call it "dining room ceiling lights" you want turned on or "dining room lights" or "overhead lights in the dining room"? Much better if a sensor sees you coming into the room and turns them on before you get through the doorway. Even if you remember what you called things, so Alexa or Google can turn them on, will your guests know? Everything in a smart house should be triggered by your life activity with the switches and other methods of activation available for friends or family who aren't living there. In fact, if it's done correctly, visitors will leave having never had to flip a switch or lowered a shade themselves.

[@LaddTemple]

Also remember with voice activation not many voice activated systems can recognize the speech of someone with a dysarthria or hearing impairment. Same with some ventilators and/or breathing tubes. Touch screens can be less than useful for people that have conditions that effect blood flow in the fingertips.

[@jd9351]

Such an interesting, important topic. My elderly mother has found dealing with a bar height island very difficult. Getting in and out of tall chairs is taxing for an old woman who has shrunk to below 5 feet tall. Maybe we should bring back the kitchen table.

[@violet.c]

Never understood the tall bar stools craze. It's not convenient even for healthy young people.

[@didomilan1725]

Having feet on the floor is so much better for your back and balance. We had a “pub “ table for a short time . I couldn’t stand the barstools. Plus, not practical with any smaller kids.

[@sorbabaric1]

I’ve had 2 knees surgeries. I view the bar height chairs as torture devices. My knees will start hurting, and then the pain intensifies the longer I sit in them. My veterinarian’s clinic has them in some of their treatment rooms. I ask for a regular chair. Also, try handling a young german shepherd puppy in training from one.

[@tamicoil7069]

I agree. I wish bar stools would go away. I walk with crutches and am short, about 5 ft tall, and they are difficult to sit on and get up on.

[@cynthiajohnston424]

Many decades ago , our family moved into a home where the previous owner was a 4'11" woman & all the sinks , light switches , etc. were slightly lower to accommodate her petite size ; my mother loved it as she was a petite 5' . 🥰

[@florperez163]

I haven’t seen the entire video yet, but I’m already hitting the like. My mother was a CNA and personal assistant to elderly or people with physical disabilities. As she was a single mom at times I came with her to her client visits, and saw first hand what a living in a non-accessible home was so challenging. Decades later I took a class and they reported that most of us at one point would be disabled either for a short period or our life or permanently. They went on to say an injury, illness, or simply aging. My husband broke his leg in 3 places and all of a sudden here were were in a three story townhouse. We sold it as soon as we could and bought a home we plan to renovate to be more accessible as my mother now in her late sixties moved in. Sorry for the long post, but I think accessible design is so important and should be talked about more!

[@janetta5827]

I love that you did this video! I have a son on the other side of this. He is able bodied however he has a different issue he is 6'8". So many things are not built for him. It's more than he's just tall. Not having the right height counter tops and sinks are painful to work at/brush your teeth at. The standard height of the shower head, he has to squat down to get under to wash his hair, he has to watch ceiling fans and lights, etc. So this is a great topic for so many reasons. Always enjoy your videos.

[@summerlytriangle]

Re: grab bars, NEVER use suction cup ones. They don't hold your weight. They must always be bolted. If you are unsure on how to make your space accessible, ask for an OT referral or see if they provide home accessibility tips at local home hardware stores.

[@jennifergraham3752]

OT’s are the best! They were so helpful in helping my mom make changes in her home.

[@raybod1775]

It’s critical grab bars are attached through the wall into studs. Sometimes a wall needs to be rebuilt with extra studs to support grab bars or hand rails.

[@jodiblackman7838]

My OT got grab rails installed in our front porch and bathroom at no cost to me OR to our cheapskate landlord. Win-win. I feel a lot safer now. (I'm in Australia though and we have access to good services here, thankfully.)

[@elijahculper5522]

On the subject of grab bars: if you’ve got dementia, you’re prolly gonna get to a point where if it looks like a grab bar you’re gonna use it as one. Those bars on sliding glass shower doors, towel bars, and and sometimes even curtains and towels will get pulled down if you can reach them from the toilet. They will not support your weight and they can be a fall hazard even for someone who is otherwise pretty independent in the bathroom. I’m a home health aide. I’ve seen too many houses where a towel bar has been violently ripped out of a wall or an entire shower door has been rapidly uninstalled by someone tryna get off the toilet.

[@lisaclarke0192]

Nick, this is really becoming a big part of the design business with an aging population. It's so important to anticipate current needs and perhaps not to far off into the future needs. You are really helping people come to grip with reality and showing them that one doesn't have to give up style to be safe. Wonderful video.

[@kathryngal3]

As someone who’s been in Physical Therapy for 15-ish years- rugs can be ok, for traction- but not having multiple small rugs- they are a serious trip hazard for those with any balance issues, those who use an additive device, and those with vision impairments. They are not worth having when they are part of the reason why we have so many repeat patients in skilled nursing rehabs. ❤ I do really love that you have made this effort Nick! Aging in place is huge and is not thought about or planned for remotely as much as it should be. ❤❤❤❤

[@darcyhildebrandt7726]

My Dad had to start using a wheelchair in his late forties because of Muscular Dystrophy. He adapted everything in our home to be more accessible and later was even able to design and build a home for himself and my Mom during the last 10 years of his life. Almost all the things you mentioned were important design elements: thresholds, lower light switches, door knobs, lower counter tops, door width, shower accessibility, sinks, mirror height, etc. One other thing my parents did was make sure that the rafters and ceiling had extra support in the bedroom and bathroom in case they needed to install a hanging lift. I can just imagine how much he would have enjoyed all the smart home features that are now available! Thank you for making this topic more normalized. We were always so thankful when people had homes that were accessible or made an effort to make them more accessible so that he could visit them.

[@653j521]

I know a lot of people prefer hard floors, but consider the possibility of breaking bones in a fall, and it makes kneeling on the floor very painful for some. I am often grateful for a carpet in my apt for looking under the bed etc, and very aware of the hard floor in the bathroom that can force an awkward standing upchucking. A fold down seat and a hand held shower head would be wonderful after a knee operation. I made my father's house over for disability, too late for him to get a lot of use out of it except for the ramp out front. We learned the hard way that a grab bar that isn't attached to a stud will pull right out. We also learned that a tub is really hard to get out of. I had to step in on either side of my mother and lift straight up to rescue her, after my father couldn't do it from the floor beside her. When my father was fully disabled the bathroom sink was made to the standard height for a wheelchair but it was too high for him to lean over to brush his teeth. It hit at his forearms. The smaller sink did allow his wheelchair to get to the toilet and wheel-in shower. Very importantly in tornado alley, it enabled him to get to a safer place, in the middle of the house without windows. Please consider that aspect of a disabled home.

[@anxylum]

Not slipping and cracking my head in the shower IS aesthetically pleasing to me. 😍

[@DrMissieMelliot]

Thank you so much for making this! My partner and I are looking for our first home and we want to be sure our parents are always safe at our place. Your channel is always great but this is such sorely needed content on interior design KZbin. Thank you again!

[@Nick_Lewis]

I hadn't seen this discussed before so I thought it was an important topic to cover.

[@DrMissieMelliot]

@@Nick_Lewis You nailed it!

[@clicquot2271]

How loving and thoughtful of you both!

[@nikkipage9132]

After becoming a widow two years ago, I faced homelessness. I was thinking of moving into my van which has not been reliable. And being in Florida, well, could you imagine?! So a senior 202 apartment came up for me. It is designed with alarm pull strings and wide spaces for scooter or wheel chair. I pimped it up with carpet, paintings and things that remind me of the beaches in my beloved New England. This was a great subject. It means a lot to me that I can stay here till the end. I am 65, have mobility issues that I am trying to reverse this to avoid surgery. Since the apartments are low income l9w rent, they have to cut costs. They have a company that uses the existing tub, cut out a portion and finish it so you can walk in. I am sure it saves a bundle for those on a budget. I love my place and am very grateful for it.❤

[@christindavis4539]

Being in the construction field I have seen so many people either spend $$$$ to stay in their home or have to sell because of accesability changes. When I built I did so many of the things you mentioned. It is costly in the build process but totally worth it.

[@emilyformato4044]

Thank you for making this! My boyfriend is a paraplegic wheelchair user, and prior to our relationship I had never thought about these things. But now that we live together, trying to find an accessible apartment (in an older US city) was rough. And finding a place with no stairs to enter/an elevator was SO expensive, since in our city apartments with these features are almost exclusively luxury high rises. Accessibility is for everyone

[@suecampbell4811]

I've not ever aimed for special or more grout - I JUST BUY ANTI-SLIP TILES for my shower floor. They are lightly rough - not enough to feel uncomfortable on my feet - but they don't get slippery so it adds to the anti-slip vibe. Great ideas from your guest - she speaks with authority and clarity - have her back soon!!!

[@morphinpink]

This is so so important, people please consider these things. I had an accident that left me bedridden for about 6 months and could only move on a wheelchair in spite of being a healthy person in my mid 20s. The hallway to the bathroom and my bedroom was too narrow for a wheelchair so getting around was impossible. You never know when something will happen that could cause you or your family to not be able to go around inaccessible spaces you now think it's not a big deal because you're "young and healthy"

[@pinkrose8272]

I am so happy you brought up ADHD as I feel like we are sometimes left out of these discussions. For me I do not have access to that much open storage but what I do have is great. It is just not a lot of room. I usually put stuff in my few open storage areas in my dorm room so my desk usually gains a stack of papers and books on it very quick when I am not careful. I am planning on maybe getting a few more shelves this year to help with that so i get a bit more space as it is something that quite helps me. Also one thing I found that helps (at least for me. ADHD is different for everyone and not one thing will work for everyone) is that no matter what happens the room will get a bit cluttered and will never look perfect so I put that into the design. This is not the same as just allowing myself to be messy. But having a lot of decoration and random items around the room, makes it so other stuff that I have out there for more of a purpose fits more in with the look. Also my design style is kinda the opposite of minimalist anyways empty walls and empty space makes me feel uncomfortable I like being in a room of stuff that comforts me and is fun. Also as it is part of the look to be a bit cluttered there is a slightly lower threshold I have to meet to be clean compared to more minimalist decor which helps makes everything a bit easier. ALSO at least for me having an open area is a bit of a must. I like having at least some space in where ever I am with no furniture or stuff in the way to pace. I am a college kid at the time, so my space is limited but I try best I can to have as little in the center of the room as possible so I can walk around a bit and move around to help focus myself when I am working. I also like having that space to occasionally spread out when I work. As I can see way more papers and stuff at a time compared to only seeing what I can fit on my desk.

[@kathykrisko3228]

Super simple, but as I began to develop arthritis I replaced all my door knobs with levers. Also, while LVP gets a lot of hate, if you are prone to dropping things like cups, it's great because it's waterproof, almost dent proof, and you don't have to rush to clean it up.

[@jennifergraham3752]

Levered door handles are a fantastic idea. My mom was in a wheelchair and had mobility issues in her later years and I always found that the occupational therapists had similar simple but so clever and effective suggestions to make zoom’s life easier.

[@becsutherland4506]

I live in constant pain too. Whenever I buy new mugs, glassware etc. I think to myself “don’t get too attached”. I’ve broken so many mugs since having fibromyalgia.

[@kutanra]

​@@becsutherland4506What about getting some nice plastic or metal cups? There's all sorts of styles and designs available, and it means you don't have to worry about stepping on shards of glass/ceramic (or having to use a dustpan and brush when having pain)

[@becsutherland4506]

@@kutanra Thanks for the suggestion but I’m fussy and absolutely hate drinking tea out of anything other than a porcelain cup or mug. Tea just tastes weird. I just accept that dropping stuff is just part of living in pain.

[@sofiep7861]

​@becsutherland4506 I found Corelle is pretty strong. We have dropped a few cups and plates because I am clumsy but have yet to break them.

[@DavidEeee66]

I had to look after my Uncle who was temporarily blind from eye surgery and stayed with me to look after him. A good idea was to make sure there were no pictures on a wall he used to place his had on to get around. I removed them so he could use the walls to get around. Just a quick tip to make sure pictues or other wall "items" do not interfere with someone using them for mobility in homes without anyone getting hurt. Higher pictures may seem odd but who cares if it helps people and avoid any accidents. Cheers Nick! This was an awesome video!!

[@annbrookens945]

I took an interior design course in college in 1974 and one of our assignments was to design an accessible space. It opened my eyes to some challenges that hadn't occurred to 21 year old me! Now I'm 70 and, oddly enough, my 5'1" self has a few issues other than kitchen cabinets and bathroom mirrors being installed to serve someone who is 5'8"!

[@pjalexandra]

Thanks Nick for walking the walk of helping the world be better for more people in your own little corner of expertise.

[@mairino7799]

Having different options to choose from when designing is so important. As a tall person with a bad back I have issues with using standard height kitchen counters and I would love to have the budget to have tall counters everywhere

[@Judgementalbiatch]

THAT!!! I also am tall and i hate cooking single handedly for the low counter height. My neck starts hurting after 5 mins max. And when it comes to bathroom sink, i HATE bending so low that i almost have to fold myself half just for spitting toothpaste. My next home will definitely have the proper counter height both kitchen and bathroom. It's essential.

[@barbharris6188]

Thank you. I have, unfortunately, spent most of my disabled life having to explain to people how hard it can be as a wheelchair user. Often, simple, considered planning can make a huge difference to everyday living. Which, in turn, makes a huge difference to independence and mental health. Thank you for such an informative and helpful video. X

[@AJR99]

Really, *really* appreciate you doing a video on this topic. As a single home buyer in my mid-40s with almost no family, age-in-place was my main priority when I bought my townhome. I was shocked when I started shopping that, depending on what area of the country you're trying to buy in, it can be extremely challenging to even find a single-story, zero-entry house, let alone any additional considerations like a roll-in capable shower (first home reno on the docket in about 2 years), door and hallway widths, or height accessibility.

[@denisedorsey2889]

My brother recently bought a new house. He made the choice to have it all wheelchair accessible so he can age in place. The builder offered this as an option. Some are understanding the need.

[@Draggonny]

My current house was sold by the previous occupants purely because the staircase is too narrow to install a stair lift. They had done lots of major rennovations over the years but that one drawback was too much to overcome. I've got another 30+ years before I'll be their age so hopefully there will be a solution to that problem before it becomes a problem for me.

[@clicquot2271]

@@DraggonnyI hope you have 30+ years if ever, but things can change in an instant. I was totally disabled due to a mosquito bite that gave me West Nile virus. It became Neuro invasive, and I could not walk, use my hands, write, chew or swallow. I was fed through a tube in my stomach for two months. It took me eight months before I was able to go back home and nine years later I still have to use a walker and have some issues with my hands, but I was lucky to survive and gain back my independence. Prior to this I used to walk 2-4 miles a day and had been doing Pilates for 15 years! You just never know what tomorrow may bring. Now I’m grateful every day!

[@Draggonny]

@clicquot2271 You're not wrong about life throwing curve balls and everything changing in an instant. Nobody can really plan for that. The only sensible precautions we can take is to build up an emergency fund and not overextend our credit. If you have to move, you move. If you have to put in adaptations for disability, you do that. Critical illness insurance or payment protection insurance can also be a good idea. We try to live below our means, so if we suddenly become a single income household, we could remain solvent.

[@JavaBlues47]

Great video. We knew when we adopted one of our babies, he had spina bifida and would always be using a wheelchair. We moved into a home with a sunken living room and immediately had the floor leveled. Drawers and not cupboard doors and furniture placement is important. One of his major issues was mobility at his university, at times it was a nightmare to navigate. Now he shares an ADA apartment with one of our other son's we adopted with disabilities. They were on the board to address what was needed when new ADA apartments were being built.

[@SaltieCat]

We have an 1830s-ish family homestead that I'll inherit, but my 80-year-old uncle currently lives in it. We're planning a major renovation with the idea of him aging in place there, but there's an issue with the old house having narrow doorways. Watching this video has made me consider all the kitchen cabinetry we bought last year that probably won't be aging in place-friendly (although my uncle doesn't cook, and he's planning for in-home care). We're converting a full bath on the first floor to a half bath laundry room combo, but maybe an area can be set off to accommodate a roll-in shower. Thank you for the food for thought on this subject!

[@suzanneevans1771]

I broke my ankle a couple of years ago and that very temporary experience made me so aware of the difficulties our homes and streets can present. I absolutely want my next home to be universally designed.

[@lutra-lutra]

Same experience! My broken leg helped me realize how much accesbility issues lurk in my own home: the bath tub, soft, low sofa, heavy chairs... 😖

[@PagesInTheForest]

I injured my knee and was very thankful for the grab bar that was installed into the bath/shower in my home. Definitely a good thing to consider regardless of your age/health. You never know when you may have mobility issues.

[@AlwaysMarchingOn]

as a disabled person i really appreciate you talking about accessibility i don't see it that often but it's really necessary to discuss in our society and i really really appreciate you mentioning that everyone has different accessibility needs there isn't one universal design that works for everyone and it's important to take that into consideration. another thing that could be touched on especially for neurodivergent people and or people with migraines or epilepsy etc is lighting and being able to change the intensity of light and where light is coming from and also having appliances with silent mode. you talked a little about tech but that could be a whole video by itself lol just like having remotes for things is very important to me lol

[@jeanvignes]

Hi Nick, THANK YOU for this overview on accessibility in home design. There are so many ways that even one person can be disabled over time, for example hanging up a blouse when you have a frozen shoulder can be SOOOO much easier if your closet includes at least one low-hanging bar, or placing furniture or "towel bars" (including a cleverly reinforced bar that matches the real towel bars) within reach of a commode can make it much easier to sit and rise, or placing some kind of hinged cover on a low light switch can make it easy for a disabled adult to reach, while making it more difficult for children/pets to switch the lights off at an inopportune moment. It is a complex issue and each family is different (e.g. my relative who has eight grandchildren versus me living with two naughty dogs, including one who taught herself how to open the safety gate into the kitchen within about ten seconds!) High microwaves can be super dangerous when petite elders try to remove a bowl of boiling-hot soup from a microwave installed above their heads! Waterfall granite counter ends can be so pretty, but offer nothing to grab/grip when feeling weak/dizzy and trying to avoid a fall. Giant sectionals may offer only two places where an elder could use an "arm" to help hoist themselves up and out of a seated position. Invite all four grandparents over and suddenly only two of them feel welcome to join the family in watching a movie. Empathy, compassion, and paying attention are all key.

[@clicquot2271]

What a thoughtful post with such great specific suggestions!

[@kimberlyschreder2046]

I'm 60 and live alone, but with no mobility issues until 2 years ago when I slipped on mud and broke my leg in two places. Suddenly I found accessibility limited for months, and I decided that when I buy my retirement home in a couple years I will focus on the issues you address. Thank you for doing this video.

[@franpurvis3301]

We had a house built after my husband wound up in a wheelchair. After twenty five years living in it, I have two suggestions to add to your well done video. First, check that the wheelchair can go under the sink(s) without the plumbing hitting the wheelchair users knees. Very important as they can injure themselves without knowing. A good plumber can tuck the plumbing up out of the way so this does not happen. Second, when it comes to storage in the bathroom and kitchen, drawers beat cabinets with doors hands down. Also, upper cabinets are not going to where you store the majority of your items. Down play these and put in windows instead, if you can….

[@apple369]

Thank you, Nick! I live with disabilities and very much appreciate you covering this topic. You're a peach.

[@mjgriffin49]

My elderly Mother was fortunate to buy a home a Dr. had built for his aging Mom. All the interior doors were 36" wide. This is great not only for wheelchair use, but also for easily moving furniture in and out.

[@eileencarroll6418]

Big topic; short video. In a condo or home owned by one family, spaces can be customized to individual family needs rather than following Universal Design or ADA Guidelines like you would in public accommodations. When empty nesters downsize, that's a good time to strategically find a place without stairs or big thresholds just to hedge your bets. Not everyone will need a wheelchair on a permanent basis . I think it is wise to avoid slippery floor tile for all ages and abilities . The big box hardware stores only sell glazed 1inch square or hexagon mosaic tiles. To get non-glazed mosaics you have to order direct from a tile store or manufacturer's outlet. It is not the amount of grout but the spacing of the grout that maximizes slip resistance: more ridges for bare feet to grip. Shower shoes that grip whatever floors you have might be an option too. Test slip resistance with all shower and hair products. Conditioner can be particularly treacherous. Grab bars are only as good as the fastening system and the integrity of the walls they are attached to. I like to imbed plywood into the wall, hardieboard, waterproofing, then tile at all the anchor locations. It is just as important to have grab bars where you step out of a tub or shower as it is to have grab bars inside the shower. Nice looking grab bars are more expensive, but so are nice towel bars. I like hanging clear plastic s hooks from nice towel bars to hang reaching sticks, canes, long handled shower tools, etc. Shower chairs are difficult to fit into small bathrooms and a transfer seat may block the sink or not allow enough room to swing legs into a tub. Walk-in retrofit tubs are not nearly as expensive as they were 10 years ago and might be worth investigating. Sink roll -under panels are misunderstood. They were not intended to be aesthetic. Panels or insulation wraps are required to protect the legs of a person who has no feeling in their legs from being scalded or scraped by under sink plumbing. More aging people tend to lose hand strength (grasp), forearm rotation or shoulder range of motion. Faucet and shower handles, drawer and cabinet pulls and door handles can all be changed to meet accessibility needs. Installing a taller toilet is excellent for persons with knee or hip challenges but a portable toilet riser is less expensive. Even if you have a guest with accessibility needs, make sure they can enter and exit safely, use the bathroom and wash their hands and accommodate their equipment as independently as possible. When I first got arthritis, I would have to turn down invitations or be willing to leave a party to go find an accessable restaurant toilet. It is really embarrassing and I hated arguing with people who were really enthusiastic about wanting to go into their bathroom to help me stand up. I was just as afraid of their hurting my pride as I was afraid of their injuring my arms and shoulders. So, yes, feelings of guests and hosts are often missed as design criteria.

[@groencactus]

Can you do a part 2 with all the good information by our fellow commentators? It would be excellent to pull all the info here, learn as a community and share all the great advice.

[@sophievanderbilt1325]

We have a new build and it’s designed as a “two story ranch”. At first I was like ummm that makes no sense, ranches are only one floor! But basically it’s first floor living with a second floor for guests. Master bed, kitchen, laundry, living room are on the first floor. Second floor is a guest bedroom, loft, and full bath. I’m disabled (spine issues) and I really love this set up. This video was so amazing! So many wonderful tips.

[@Poisenivy5]

Thank you so much for sharing. Especially about the walk-in showers. As a disabled person myself, I find it so frustrating when apartment architects/designers do not consider the bathtub as a hazard.

[@terrarosa8181]

Yeeeeessss! Thank you for this! Accessibility doesn't have to be ugly. We deserve to have beautiful functional homes! And unfortunately it's so rarely covered. I'm neurodivergent and have just designed a small home around my ADHD and autism. LOTS of open shelving for my ADHD and things stored where the task that uses them operates. Like my clothes washer dryer unit (yes it washes then dries it!) is in my closet. But also storage that while open isn't necessarily visible until you're standing at a particular angle to help keep it from being too overwhelming. My home is as fully smart home integrated as I could afford to make it. Lights on dimmers, heated floors in the bathroom, bidet toilet seat, different alarms and sensors to remind me of things and in case of flooding. An alarm system that turns itself on and off depending on my location. And I am a person who wants ALL the textures. Lol, I find textures calming and a type of stimming. But still keeping them cohesive enough to make sense together. I love seeing everyone's spaces and how it benefits them as a disabled person. Molly's remodel is stunning! Her home is absolutely a textural treasure. It works so well for her disability and at the same time looks stunning. Why not have form AND function!?!?

[@availanila]

Living both blind and with a chronic illness leaving me allergic to the world and exhausted most of the time really got me thinking. Life moves slow for dusabled people but when I can finally get a home it'll be designed for a ninety year old. I'll age and thrive in place. I've been researching with disabled architects and elderly blind friends and I'm confident I know exactly what I need and have been looking at chronically ill people design ideas too.

[@plushieangela]

as someone with adhd I find that making sure everything I own has a specific station, and keeping similar themed items generally together when it comes to things less decor focused can help in lessening clutter. All my fiction books are together on one shelf, all my textile crafts have a shelf or a basket, all my art tools are together. So when I get to putting things away that there's less mental pressure to decide on where to put it. Baskets and shelving units where containers can be labeled are also very useful in keeping categories together as well as having a 'I'll deal with it later' basket for when the person is too overstimulated or too low brain energy to be able to put the items away (since putting away one thing usually means discovering more and more tasks which become quickly overwhelming, rather than merely looking at the small singular task one at a time). Really appreciate you making this video, Nick

[@myjoysunshine]

Fantastic video! Really appreciate you doing this! Also higher toilets, low maintenance for yard and home exteriors, dog door on back of house storm door leading into fenced in back yard, well-lit and natural light, and plug points at higher levels to keep from bending down (vacuums, phone, chargers, oxygen, tanks, lighting, etc.).

[@janetmorel2481]

We were able to design a home for ourselves and our adult daughter who uses a wheelchair. We incorporated so many of the suggestion you make. In addition, we used extra wide doors but also made them extra tall so the proportions we still pleasing. All bathrooms in the house are accessible and have roll-in showers. The garage is slightly wider to accommodate the ramp that deploys from the side of the van and the doorway from the garage into the house lines up with the ramp on the van. Hallways and walkways are a little wider. Her bedroom is slightly larger to accommodate all of the extra equipment. A door from her bedroom exits directly onto the back porch where the hot tub is for therapy. There’s more, but those were a few ideas we have had that work well for us and for the design of the house. Thanks Nick!

[@cynthiajohnston424]

Excellent info - thanks for sharing ! Also , the garage access / suitability is very important & so far I believe you're the only comment to mention this - thank you ! 🥰

[@MyLifeRefining]

Nick, THANK YOU for making this video. We are about to build our “forever home” and are making it a one-story, disability friendly, age in place home because we have a disabled 4 year old in a wheelchair, a teenage daughter with high functioning autism and energy issues, both of which will likely live and grow old with us as WE (Husband and I) grow old (already in our 40’s). I’m deep diving into KZbin to learn all the things we can do to design our home to be built intentionally, considering all the things we may need to facilitate down the road so we don’t have to do costly renovations or adaptations later that also make our home look like a hospital or rehab center. It was such a delight to see my favorite design voice on YT (you!) talking about the practicalities AND aesthetic of this kind of home.

[@geniej2378]

Love this video - on the flip side of removing barriers, having a staircase in your house can really help with increasing your accidental daily exercise and help keep your mobility for longer. It’s only relevant up to a point, but as you age a lot of functions become use it or lose it.

[@camellia8625]

I agree

[@anaalves3658]

I live in Portugal and new build homes have to have a ground floor bathroom and enough space for someone in a wheelchair to easily be able to use it. This is something that I recently found out about, my husband has a cycling buddy who built a house recently and had to comply with the building regulations for future proofing a home and not excluding any potential future buyers. We have 2 family members that are in a wheelchair and an aunt who is a thalidomide baby, she has had to come up with solutions for her day to day life that fit her specific needs. Her husband is in a wheelchair so they had to build a ramp going into their kitchen as it had 2 steps going down. Portugal is usually really good at having wheelchair access in all public spaces, including the beach ⛱️. Thank you for this informative video 🙏😊

[@Card_Crazed]

About the grab bars.. looking pretty is a bonus, but it's supposed to hold your weight and help you stay upright. so the more weight a grab bar can hold, the better. My hubby ordered some heavy duty grab bars (a little more than double the weight of the heaviest person), and I've almost fallen, but caught the bars in time to stay upright. Also, the height of the grab bars is really important. Hubby measured where the door knob was against the wall, and kept the bars to that height, so not only is it tall enough, but it's a natural grab

[@denisedorsey2889]

I thought grab bars were to stabilize, not actually hold a person’s weight. Good to know.

[@kansasgirl8371]

Nick, this is such an important topic. Even if you aren't ever in a wheelchair, most people will use a walker or have a brace at some point (knee, hip, shoulder surgeries/replacements) Having a handheld shower is also a must as well as an ADA compliant toilet. You also must eliminate all trip hazards. Get rails for your bed. Falls can be deadly as you age. Thank you for covering this.

[@visiwade]

Thank you for covering this subject. A lot of mobility accommodations are not made aesthetically because by the time people need them, they don’t have the time or money to make it beautiful. Better to design accessibly when you are young/healthy/employed, etc. if at all possible. I have a disability and am moving back to my childhood home, and my father suffered a stroke this year, so we’re working on how to make it all work.

[@bethanygunnels9036]

Great topic choice! As someone who is legally blind, I'd also like to add that having good (and strong) task lighting options in rooms is very important. In so many design situations I see soft / low lighting and single fancy light fixtures used... Have extra (stronger) lighting that is an option on a light switch (like recessed spots) can be very helpful.. Good bright lighting inside closet spaces, etc..Even lighting options inside storage areas like closets and pantrys is very helpful.

[@tammiepulley7167]

So glad you are talking about this. 3 people in my family are at various stages of disability. I feel every new home should be built with at least some accessible features. It’s just a matter of time when we all will need these features.

[@Morna777]

One of the things Nick didn't really point out but I think is worth mentioning is that disability-friendly is very often everyone friendly. For example when I needed to carry my elderly blind dog downstairs it was easier to open a door with a lever handle versus a knob because you have to have a hand free to use a knob and I didn't when carrying him.

[@peterbumper2769]

Thank you Nick and Megan As a wheelchair user, I cannot push enough in kitchen design, draws rather than cupboards. Also farmhouse style sinks can be easier to get me closer to the taps

[@denisedorsey2889]

Yes, drawers are vital. There are pull out shelves that can be purchased to retrofit a lower cabinet.

[@betz6507]

I hear you!! I remodeled my kitchen because I am short (4'11") and use a wheelchair at times. Lower counters, only drawers, stovetop with dials in the front (so no reaching - burned myself plenty of times reaching over a regular stove), below counter oven, half drawer dishwasher. It makes a huge difference. All my dishes are in drawers. I have a low shelf for most-used items and one set of upper cabinets set lower.

[@quantumleap1560]

Excellent video, Nick. We don't talk enough about accessibility within a home. I think most people think accessability means "for people with physical dissabilities", so it doesn't apply to them. Truth is, we are ALL exposed to becoming slightly, partially, temporarily or long-term impaired at some point in our lives: an accident, broken arm/leg, surgery, illness, aging, etc., and we don't think about these design issues until something happens. Designing accessible homes should go hand in hand with establishing 401k, saving for retirement, setting up wills, and advanced directives (though don't get me started on the last topic because I think that's another one we don't talk about enough, either). Congrats on the video and thanks!! ❤

[@clicquot2271]

You are 100% correct. We all are vulnerable to being temporarily or permanently challenged in our “activities of daily living”, often when we least expect it. Excellent points, too, about having formal legal decisions in place, too. The worry or fear of doing it is replaced by the comfort of knowing that if/ when something happens, things will be taken care of the way you want them to be. I’ve been there!

[@lazygardens]

You are ONE SKI ACCIDENT away from needing accessible design! MY SO's broken leg was a wakeup call for us. We had a step-up entry, "garden tub" with a climb-over barrier to showering, no grab bars, toilets that were almost inaccessible, and a host of other issues.

[@AmandanLeeloo]

Yaaaassssssssss! As someone with MS who LOVES design, I can't stress how important this type of content is! I'm currently painting my living room and IT. IS. A. PROCESS. when you are differently-abled, so being proactive in the design/building process for things that are WAY more difficult to change than paint is much appreciated! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@juliewilson3237]

Thank you for sharing design details for people with accessibility issues . I have just moved into my new home that is all one level , as I have been struggling for 10 years . Not only is this space accessible it has features that aren’t hideous to look at as well as functional. Things such as grab rails and slope out to the garden and shower heads that aren’t too heavy for me . I cannot say how much difference it has made to my life , just in the last few weeks . I have freedom that I haven’t had since I started using a wheelchair ten years ago at age 41 .

[@sharonvik2068]

Thanks, Nick! This was a great video and I appreciated Megan's comments. I also recommend that shower doors open outward. A handheld shower should be installed so that a seated person can use it comfortably. Toilet and shower spaces should have enough clearance that an attendant can easily assist another person. Pocket doors can be easier to operate for a person using a walker or in a wheelchair. On a smaller scale, jars lids can be difficult to turn and medicine packaging can be hard to open. Refrigerators and dishwashers can be too deep and cookware can be too heavy.

[@nepenthe1446]

I struggle with jar lids so the solution I came up with is to keep a small nail and hammer at hand. I punch a hole in the jar lid, thus breaking the vacuum seal. I then put some tape over the hole. The difficult jar opener I bought doesn't always work for me.

[@Draggonny]

Ikea do a jar opener. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it but it's great. I have weak noodle arms so I can't deal with heavy cookware either. Plastic bowls and jugs. Lightweight pans. I have to be very careful with heavy casserole dishes. I prefer to use my multicooker that has a Lightweight metal bowl.

[@mikaem]

One thing that is helpful for my mother who has MS is having some solid heavy furniture. If she falls having a coffee table that is solid and immovable enough she can put her weight on it and it won’t budge, makes it possible for her to get back up if I’m not there.

[@TheNakedEwe]

Thank you for covering this topic. I became disabled in 2017 and my home is really not accessible. I do have an elevator to get in to and out of my home, which is wonderful. I do wish I had an accessible shower though. Unfortunately, I’m only able to shower if someone is available to assist me in to and out of our unusually tall bathtub. In the bathroom, you did miss one subject…the toilet. Toilets are traditionally ridiculously low. I strongly recommend upgrading to a “comfort” toilet, even if you aren’t disabled. Your knees will love you for it and it makes it much easier for disabled people to sit down and get up again. And yes, beds are getting ridiculously high. I travel with a stepper like the ones you use at the gym to get in and out of hotel beds. I have a second stepper at home to assist with getting in to and out of the bathtub.

[@violet.c]

Actually there is a reason why toilets are low. It's because the healthiest way to defecate is to do it in a squatting position. Having 90 degrees angle isn't good, although you can correct it by having a small stool nearby to place your feet on while you're on the toilet.

[@olga138]

This is such an important issue with our aging population. I think a wall oven is a great choice for someone who can't bend over to use a conventional oven. Don't forget to make all of the doorways within the house wide enough for a wheelchair or a walker. A lot of people have storm doors and screen doors for practical reasons, but they make it very hard for a wheelchair to get in and out of a house. Thanks for the video, Nick!

[@DFBurgermeister]

I really appreciate this video. My parents are elderly (in their 90s) and I’m very aware of the difficulty they have navigating their home, which they bought over 20 years ago when they were both still very mobile. I’m no spring chicken myself and I’ve been remodeling my own home, building in accessibility where I think I might need it. This video was very helpful with this quest.

[@KathrynsRavens]

I really appreciate this! I became physically disabled a few years ago and was lucky that most of the things in my apartment were mostly accessible to me or could be modified easily. The thing that I really struggle with still is doors with the auto-closing function that is required in Toronto which can make going in and out unassisted really challenging.

[@sherunswithscissors]

My neighbour and I both removed the closer. I know it’s for fire but a self-closer would hamper me getting out.

[@kathykelm1354]

We built an "upside down" retirement house to take advantage of an ocean view. My 72 year old knees have improved.

[@sarahsovereign4522]

Thank you so much for addressing this!! We have things like "starter homes" and signal that for every different season of life, we need a different home. I'm a fan of having one home that you modify as needed, to provide a central theme or core of stability, around which the chaos and predictable changes of life can pivot. In the awful event that someone has a debilitating injury that wrecks their mobility for only a year or so, I expect it would be nice to have the OPTION to have the home and rhythms of life stay the same, instead of that injury being "a life-changing injury" that precipitates a change of house, city, family rhythms, and job.

[@clicquot2271]

Yes! That’s exactly what happened to me.

[@curiousworld7912]

This was a very important topic to cover. Many older people are choosing to stay in home, and disabled people, in general, have various interior design needs - such as clearance and safety issues - and, it's not a conversation we have often enough. Thanks, to the both of you. :)

[@ECHOVALLEY-qg9ex]

We renovated three years ago with ageing in place in mind. Evened up all the floor heights, non slip matt surfaces, good lighting and wide, even shower clearances. But I just realised I totally missed the roll in sink idea. 🤦🏽‍♀️ This is why we need experts like Megan to advise us. Also the new electric beds are much cheaper than they used to be and don’t even look like some kind of institutional bed. We can raise and lower it in many configurations. I also downsized the bed to queen size because changing king size bed linen is just too huge and heavy for me to manage now! I’m over it.

[@Christian-is-thriving]

Thanks for bringing attention to this subject. I cared for my late wife for 15 yrs after she became disabled. So many homes and public facilities are difficult if not impossible for the disabled. I will add that the rug issue is a case by case situation. My wife wasn't able to lift her feet very high so any rings were a trip hazard. But they are amazing for grip if that isn't an issue.

[@MostlyHumanSlightlyCat]

I really love that you talked about this topic. I would wish accessibility was more of a major thing in society, not only because of how large a part of population has accessibility issues of one sort or the other, but also because even people without them can benefit from it. (For example regarding non slip surfaces, or easy to reach appliances)

[@charlottekylin4169]

Thanks for addressing this topic! I suggested it a while ago and I'm so glad you reached out to other designers for help. I Injured my back and have been using a walker for 7 years. Fortunately I had just bought a house with ADA compliant outer and inner doors as well as a wide hallway. My injury left me only 4'6" tall so I can only reach the bottom shelf in the kitchen. I don't really like open shelving but found an L shaped shelf to put on my counter for glasses, mugs and small bowls. I can get plates from the cupboard using a portable step. I have a living/dining area that has a flat rug in each section, with an aisle of bare floor between to walk on. It's easier to use a walker on bare floor. It's hard for me to sit on any couch, so I found a rocking chair that's a modern style, and I use it with a pouf. I'm also autistic and find rocking is a great stim! I fall easily so I have furniture arranged so I can always hold on to something for balance. My brother installed a handrail made of copper pipe that's been burned with a torch in my long hallway. Couple of things I'd add are no throw rugs unless they have rubber backing, and light switches that push instead of toggle.

[@ליזהנורט]

It's not super related and not a critique, but my mom and I are on the taller side and we have bad backaches and having taller countertopsvis the best thing that ever happened to us. I imagine if anyone in a wheelchair or even someone who's not tall would maybe struggle using our countertops but the fact we don't need to bend down while working on food is life changing. We also got taller beds and a taller sofa and it's a blessing

[@aprildawnsunshine4326]

Opened the app and saw this first thing and my heart just sang! 🥰 Tip for furniture: check thrift stores near retirement and nursing homes. Found lazyboy chairs and recliner sofa for $15 ea! Also, power chair users: check tables for a lip underneath. Mine kept trapping the joystick and getting me stuck 😆 I've also found that if I clear out under the bathroom sink and fold the footplate up my feet will slide right in and some doors that were a bit too tight, ex walk-in closet, just needed the door removed. Ime the biggest problem has been getting my chair in the front door and so many friends have wanted to have me over but can't due to a single stupid step. With the rise in chronic illnesses we're seeing having at least one entrance is going to become necessary. If you're building or remodeling consider making that front plath sloped or adding a ramp from the garage. Just like curb cuts, this is helpful for anything on wheels too. Thank you so much for doing this video! I can't tell you how happy seeing content like this makes me 🥰

[@nancyneyedly4587]

I have to say that I think this is the first interior design video where the design ideas were the most functional. So much of design seems so impractical. I cannot feasibly put my very heavy countertop appliances away and then back out and away again to keep up with the esthetic of uncluttered countertops. So much of design lately is about looking good and function is out the window. Here we are hearing finally about functional design for the first time and how to possibly make it look good.

[@gimmecoffee2631]

Thank you so much for this video. I am a mother of 3, and 2 of my kids have severe autism. We just had a custom home built made safe, accessible, practical, and beautiful for us. Everyone involved came with their ideas.

[@JAMichaelsDesigner]

This is such an important topic. My mother has been disabled her entire life and has mobility issues. As my siblings and I were often called upon to assist her in settings that did not accommodate her needs, generally in public buildings, I have always been super aware of accessibility. Thank you for highlighting this topic and a creator that has expertise in this area of design.

[@susanprice3377]

You did a good job hitting the important considerations. You might want to do follow up vids treating different areas in more detail. My husband's 92-yr-old mother moved in with us last January. Before she did, we had to redo the downstairs 1/2 bath, which was *down 2 steps!* However, raising the floor gave us options (because the hal and original powder room were on slab) to replumb. The room was a generous size, so we ditched the 40" vanity, kept the toilet in the same place but switched to a chair-height model, put a tiny lavatory sink across from it, and were able to add a 32" shower in the corner where the vanity had been. Our builder was very conscientious about making sure we had clearance for the "rollator" walker between the edge of the shower enclosure and the sink for access to the toilet. Yes, you can find grab bars to match your fixtures -- even some that double as shelving. Very nice. And I found a shower head with a dual head feature, with a repositionable movable head -- the holder for it is on a suction cup, so each user can set the perfect height for them. At the moment, we've chosen not to install the shower door, because it's easier for me to help her shower without it -- with her sitting on a shower chair, a bath mat is sufficient to catch the overflow. (And we were able to add a ground floor laundry area in the hall leading to the bathroom, which is SUCH a convenience!) Anyway, keep up the good work!

[@DNAConsultingDetectives]

Great subject, Nick! I sometimes have to use a walker at home when I'm having an active gluten ataxia episode. I chose to not have a coffee table in our living room for that reason. Instead we have lightweight movable nesting tables we can spread around the room as needed. We also made our interior doors much wider. Bathroom door in main bedroom was only 28". We had my niece's husband (who is a manual wheelchair user) , to help us with layout too. Particularly in the bathroom. Very helpful! Yes, rugs! Lots to consider. We put in all no slip tile for tile on the floors. This video was jam packed with excellent ideas!