Happy New Year! Let's hope this is a better one, which signs seem to indicate it will be.
One of my resolutions is to pay more attention to accessibility. I ended up getting glasses when the ADA came out, trying to read all the fine print, but as is often the case, it remained a technical abstract, radii and reaches to be complied with, but not fully understood.
Until my back went out. I had hurt my back before, but this time it siezed up totally, then progressed into severe sciatica. I could barely walk, sit, or get back up and getting into or out of a car was torture. I was becoming the poster child for wizened. One day I stood up and it had all re-centered, and I am back to regular mobility, but more careful now.
This wake-up call has led to a greater understanding and compassion for folks who have to live with physical conditions, permanantly or not, since some day we will all need help. Provisions have to be built in at the start of a project to allow adaptation as time goes on, especially if you see yourself aging in place or having older relatives live with you. These could be as simple as putting plywoood blocking behind the walls in the shower or next to the toilet for grab bars and wider space to allow for the bars, wider doorways for future wheelchair or walkers, watching out for thresholds, lower thermostats or switches, or more in-depth such as adaptable counters and cabinets, sloped walkways, direct access from a garage, or a wider stair to allow for a mechanized climber.
Some provisions are general and can be simply built in without fanfare. Others are specific and need to be discussed early in the project. Whatever your needs, give it a lot of thought before you design and build, and let us help you make your castle work right for you.
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