Hi, I’m Paola with how-accessible.com. The blog with tons of resources and guides to make your life more accessible.
For this series on home accessibility, we are going to show you different ways to make your entrance safer and easier to navigate. The third thing we will tackle in the Accessible Entrance Series, we show you different ways to make the interior of an entrance more functional and easier to use.
We adjusted the height of a mirror and key hooks to be accessible from a wheelchair and added some accessories to increase functionality for everyday use.
Make a Drop Zone
An accessible entrance includes:
- A mirror at a wheelchair friendly height
- Easy to reach hooks (spaced and sized to limit dexterity issues)
- A place to keep commonly used items like sunglasses or change
- An area to place packages and food deliveries
Wheelchair Accessible Height
To determine what the right height is for any object you want to make accessible from a wheelchair there are several resources. Some of How Accessible’s favorites are below.
ADA Guidelines on Reach
When a forward reach is unobstructed the high forward reach shall be 48 in (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor
When a high forward reach is over an obstruction the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element for a distance no less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum when the reach depth is 20 inches (510 mm) maximum
When the reach depth exceeds 20 inches (510 mm) the high reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635 mm) maximum
For an unobstructed object approached in a parallel position the high reach side shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor
The high side reach will be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (255 mm)
When a clear floor space allows for a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction the hight of the obstruction shall be 34 in (865 mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum
Safety and Security
Some elements we have added to the entrance to make it safer and more secure include:
- August Smart Lock
- Ring Doorbell
- Entrance Mirror
Visible Ramp Considerations
Since starting this series we have received a few comments about the “risk” of having a visible ramp at the front door. Some people believe that it highlights the fact that someone “vulnerable” lives on the property
While each individual’s situation is different, my sister and I feel that the ramps improve our safety because they make the likelihood of tipping and falling or injury from physical strain much less likely.
In case of an emergency, the ramps also make it possible to enter or exit the house quickly.
Some precautions we follow in order to make sure we are safe in the event of a break in or home intruders are
- We have two dogs on the property
- We have well-lit exteriors and a doorbell camera that provides video surveillance
- Locks that are easy to engage
We feel safe in our home and neighborhood and feel that a ramp makes us no more or less a target than a handicap license plate does.
How To Make An Entrance More Accessible Pt. 3
If you enjoyed watching part Three of the Accessible Entrance series make sure you check out parts 1 and 2. Also if you want to see other How Accessible videos click subscribe and click on that bell icon so that YouTube can let you know when we post new content.
ADA Links
FTC Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are genuinely my own. This post also contains affiliate links and I earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. It doesn’t cost you any extra.
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