Your home should make everyday life easier – not create barriers to your independence.
For people who use a wheelchair, certain features of a home can make daily activities difficult. Narrow doorways, steps at entrances, inaccessible bathrooms and limited space to manoeuvre can affect how independently someone can move around their own home.
The good news is that home modifications for wheelchair users can help improve accessibility, independence and everyday comfort.
Common accessibility challenges at home
Depending on the person’s needs, challenges may include:
- Steps or raised thresholds at entrances
- Doorways that are too narrow for a wheelchair
- Bathrooms that are difficult to access or use
- Insufficient space to turn or manoeuvre
- Kitchen benches and storage that are difficult to reach
- Inaccessible pathways between rooms
Some problems may be addressed by rearranging furniture or changing equipment. Others may require more substantial modifications.
What home modifications may help?
Possible solutions include ramps, doorway widening, improved circulation space, accessible bathroom layouts, suitable fixtures and changes to entryways. The right solution depends on the person’s mobility, transfer abilities, wheelchair dimensions, home layout and individual goals.
Why an OT Home Assessment matters
An occupational therapist can assess how someone uses their home and identify barriers to everyday activities. For NDIS participants seeking home modifications, a suitably qualified home modification assessor must complete the relevant assessment.
The assessment helps identify appropriate options and provides evidence to support consideration of funding. NDIS funding is subject to eligibility and approval criteria. Learn more about NDIS home modification assessments.
Make your home work better for you
You don’t need to know which modifications you need before seeking advice. Home Access Group helps connect people with OT home assessment services to explore practical options based on their individual needs.
A safer home starts with understanding the person
Every home is different. Every person is different. That is why the right approach starts with the individual rather than a list of products. At Home Access Group, we help coordinate OT home assessments that consider the person’s needs, goals, functional abilities and home environment.
The mission is simple: Help people stay safe, independent and at home for longer. If you or someone you care for is finding everyday activities around the home more difficult, an OT home assessment may be a useful place to start.
Your home should work for you – not the other way around. Reach out and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Information about Support at Home and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme can change. Providers should refer to current Australian Government guidance when making funding and service decisions.
