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Question for Katie & Steve

How can I fix my house for a person who uses a walker and a wheel chair?

Here are a few guide lines to welcome people  with disabilities into your home:

1. First & foremost you are already ahead of the game; your desire to  welcome those with disabilities into your home.

2. Try to eliminate steps with a ramp of some sort. This could be as  simple as a piece of plywood. 

3. Create smooth surfaces from the welcome mat at your door to every room in your house (including the bathroom.)

4. Remove small decorative rugs that someone may slip on or trip over.

5. Walk around your household without lifting your feet to test your  floor surfaces.

6. Create open spaces, eliminating furniture that is not essential to  the room (permanent verses temporary is an issue; a visitor or someone  living with you.)

7. Bathroom access is tricky and on an individual basis, depending on  who visits you or is living with you.  When in doubt, ask the person  with the disability what they may need.  You may or not be able to meet everyone's specific needs, but provide the best accommodations you can;  a clean open free from clutter space.

Katie R. Banister