FUNCTIONAL INTERIORS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS 4(2+2)

Lesson 8: Housing Environments for Special purposes and Needs: Adaptable Bathrooms and Kitchen

Model Adaptable Features

1. Tactile hazard warnings
2. Rails in wide open spaces or on long routes
3. Supportive external seating: benches with armrests
4. Clear walking tunnel: from over-head objects
5. Ramp: guard on edge
6. Steps/stairs: access to wheel chair of a chair lift may be considered for whell chair access to 2 ^_nd floor.
   
7. Steps/stairs: nosings highlighted
8. eys and security locks: easy to manipulate
9. Door bells/ knockers/ key holes easy to reach
10. Low level or adjustable level lighting to permit the changing of light bulbs
11. Switches and sockets: protected from misuse
12. Rails: easy to grasp, in suitable places, such as each side of steps and stairs
13. Furniture /fixtures with smooth corners, reaching floor
14. Colour and luminance contrast between surfaces
15. Colour and luminance contrast between fittings
16. Lighting/surfaces: non-reflective surfaces
17. Shower: controls within easy reach and adjustable

A model house plan with adaptable features is shown below. The features include

Adaptable house features include:

• Level entry at the main entrance;
• A secondary two-bedroom unit on the upper level;
• Secure entrances for both living units;
• An accessible two-bedroom main floor unit, featuring:
• accessible floor finishes;
• wider hallways;
• Doors with lever hardware that provide at least 810 mm (32 in.) of clear space when open;
• A wheelchair-accessible kitchen;
• A wheelchair-accessible bathroom;
• An emergency exit to an exterior area of refuge (e.g. rear patio);
• Lower switches and controls throughout.