“I have a Disability yes that’s true, but all that really means is I may have to take a slightly different path than you.”- Robert M. Hensel. When living with a disability, everyday activities – such as getting dressed, bathing and even preparing food – can become difficult. To make your home more organized, accessible and provide a safe environment for you to feel comfortable in, there are some steps that need to be taken into consideration.
Why it is important to organize your house to make it more accessible
The importance of a safe and accessible home cannot be understated, particularly for those living with a disability. The fact remains that falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among Americans aged 65 and up. Tragically, every year about one-third of seniors and disabled endure at least one fall. These accidents can create further health complications that may result in serious injuries like hip fractures, head traumas and sadly enough - even death. One of the effective ways to combat this issue is maintaining an organized home environment. Home clutter usually leads to hazardous situations which can easily result in trips and falls. Take your living room as an example: Excess furniture could potentially pose a risk when placed too close together causing mobility difficulties especially for disabled individuals. Similarly, another accident-prone area is your bathroom medicine cabinet filled with expired medications. To someone with cognitive impairment, it becomes increasingly difficult to differentiate between current prescriptions and old ones thereby posing serious health threats.
Accessibility and Rental Property Guide for Landlords
It is important to understand accessibility laws outlined by ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act. A crucial provision within this act highlights that landlords do not have any lawful right whatsoever to inquire regarding their prospective tenant's alleged or visible disabilities during application stages for a rental space. What does this mean? Put simply, no matter how conspicuous indicators there might be- usage of canes or wheelchairs owing to mobility impairments; looping hearing aids snaking around ears due to hearing impairments; some visor caps obscuring vision stemming from visual impairments - all remains the private concern and business of respective individuals facing themselves firsthand. When we ponder about disabilities, the first to come to mind are physical ones. But it's equally important that landlords keep in mind "invisible" illnesses or so-called mental disabilities. Regardless of whether one ambles around on two feet or wheels oneself through life seated on a wheelchair, both should receive equal consideration in the eyes of an unbiased landlord or property manager.
The idea behind this legislation is simple: potential tenants must be evaluated based on behavior - have they ever been evicted? Can they maintain choice relations with previous landlords? Is punctual payment of rent within reach? Has indebtedness marred past easeful liaisons? If careful research were to reveal a prospect thoroughly capable of holding up standards expected by any diligent landlord within reason – then those gates opening rental doors to persons living with physical or mental impairments must be a standard procedure. This process should have no bearing on their disability but instead, focus primarily on their positive track record as conscientious tenants.
How smart home technologies contribute to a more accessible living environment?
Smart home technologies offer ways to better accommodate the needs of disabled individuals, contributing dramatically towards an accessible household. It incorporates elements like lighting, music and temperature control that all communicate with other smart gadgets around the house. It's fascinating how much convenience comes packed in these smart tools! One such beauty of this technology is it enhances accessibility throughout your home. controlling doors or appliances solely using your voice! For individuals dealing with mobility issues, these healing touches cut back on their struggle significantly. Independence often escapes from grasp when disability steps in; however, these technological marvels help reclaim it bit by bit. Managing tasks independently at home becomes less daunting due to the assistance provided through cutting-edge software built into our humble homes.
Smart tech unfolds its magic within safety and security measures for disabled inhabitants - especially if medical emergencies arise out of nowhere. Not being able to get up from your place during a smoke or carbon monoxide increase? Smart detectors come to the rescue. They don't just sit idle but alert caregivers or emergency responders, averting imminent danger. Furthermore, these smart devices can help prevent unwanted accidents by setting up quick reminders for essential tasks like taking medication. Technology bridges gaps and brings forth convenience that was earlier unimaginable.
Outcomes of having a house adapted to your specific disability
Adaptation is key when living with a disability. It all begins with modifications - small or big changes in your household that aim at combating any risks related with injuries and enhance safety measures. Evidence affirms their positive influence on how people rate their capacity for staging normal lives amidst existing disabilities. Installing well thought-out safety equipment around key areas of the house diminishes chances of hurtful rotations or accidental slips occurring during routine endeavors within one’s own house walls. Therefore, undeniably pivotal it becomes advocating around reconfiguring our homes' characteristics towards liberating accessibility arrangements particularly targeted at catering to person-specific needs incited by encountered impairments.
A simple yet beneficial modification could be the difference between grabbing onto that rail before stumbling down the stairwell versus having nothing there. At a basic level, this means enabling them to easily access goods and services within their homes that many take for granted. A well-placed ramp, wider doorways or lowered countertops can make a crucial difference. More significantly, these adaptations pave the way towards normalcy in daily routine. Enabling individuals with disabilities to navigate around their living space unaided aids in empowering them with self-esteem.
Organizing our houses allows us to maximize space and use it efficiently while also providing tips for landlords on how renters must not discriminate against tenants who require modifications within an apartment due facilities disabled individuals confront every day. Technology advances are paramount when it comes to easing someone dealing with a condition or impairments in order to move around freely at home; from platforms like Amazon Alexa which alleviate tasks like switching lights off/on via voice command allow Individuals overcome certain mobility limitations without having seek assistance from family members & friends which is everyone should always aim attempt.
Written by Jennifer Hope
