The Design Of Homes That Best Fits People With Different Disabilities (Essay Sample)

HOME FOR DISABLED
NAME
INSTITUTION
Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Abstract PAGEREF _Toc504663953 \h 2Introduction PAGEREF _Toc504663954 \h 2Accessibility PAGEREF _Toc504663955 \h 3Location PAGEREF _Toc504663956 \h 3Approach and Arrival PAGEREF _Toc504663957 \h 3Entrance PAGEREF _Toc504663958 \h 3Site Planning PAGEREF _Toc504663959 \h 4Designing Of the Functional Driveway and Parking Area PAGEREF _Toc504663960 \h 4Parking PAGEREF _Toc504663961 \h 4Lighting PAGEREF _Toc504663962 \h 5Landing PAGEREF _Toc504663963 \h 5Stairs PAGEREF _Toc504663964 \h 5Railing System PAGEREF _Toc504663965 \h 5Other Amenities PAGEREF _Toc504663966 \h 6Build Connection PAGEREF _Toc504663967 \h 6Remove Barriers to Connect Indoor Activities PAGEREF _Toc504663968 \h 6Trailing PAGEREF _Toc504663969 \h 6Design for Low Vision PAGEREF _Toc504663970 \h 7Persons with Impaired Vision PAGEREF _Toc504663971 \h 7Incorporate Systems PAGEREF _Toc504663972 \h 7How to Adapt the House PAGEREF _Toc504663973 \h 7Increase Lighting PAGEREF _Toc504663974 \h 8Eliminate Hazards PAGEREF _Toc504663975 \h 8Create Colour Contrast PAGEREF _Toc504663976 \h 8Organizing the Bathroom PAGEREF _Toc504663977 \h 8Elevator PAGEREF _Toc504663978 \h 9The Living Space PAGEREF _Toc504663979 \h 9Social PAGEREF _Toc504663980 \h 9Environmental PAGEREF _Toc504663981 \h 9Living Room PAGEREF _Toc504663982 \h 9Waste and Refuse PAGEREF _Toc504663983 \h 10Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc504663984 \h 10Assistive Technology PAGEREF _Toc504663985 \h 10Standalone Devices PAGEREF _Toc504663986 \h 10Telecare PAGEREF _Toc504663987 \h 11Problems Related To the Topic PAGEREF _Toc504663988 \h 11References PAGEREF _Toc504663989 \h 12
Abstract
The essence of this research is to provide a superb framework for the designing of living spaces that can practically accommodate the needs of people with various disabilities in a stylish, dignified and functional manner. This was because access codes that focus on dimensions and clearance that were built proved incapable of providing guidance in understanding the burning issue of multiple disabilities. Nonetheless, homes act as our castles, the place where one feels free to be in. Unfortunately, when disability strikes, homes become some prison presenting every sort of barrier, frustration and peril at every turn. It is critical for the people living with disability to adapt and acquire new skills and also for the people living with them to provide support as well as assistance to the disabled in the family (Imrie & Hall, 2003). However, many people are reluctant to invest in upgrades in the houses that provide a living advantage and adaptability to the disabled persons.
Introduction
Disability is a result of persons with impairments interacting with the attitudinal and environmental barriers that act as a hindrance for their full and effective participation in the society on an equal basis with the others. It is very advisable to erect structures in the form of house that will ensure that the disabled people in the community can live comfortably in their own homes. This is because the disabled in the community has for a long time been ignored and neglected to lead to their inability to live comfortably among the other members of the community. Their homes can be designed by four major principles which include; location, transport, Understandable, safe regarding usability and manageable and affordable and flexible regarding the cost and adaptability over time.
Accessibility
All people at one point are in need of accessible homes or themselves, their families or even their friends. At least 3 out of 100 babies are born with defects arising from genetic disorders or even problems during birth. This results in mental or even physical disabilities. These children will then requite special houses that will help them to overcome the disabilities in the new environment that they are born in. Accessible homes are not so much different from the other homes. The only difference is that they have a sunny open feeling due to the existence of fewer walls between common areas. They have wider doorways and taller windows.
A comfortable flow is created by floors between living areas making it easy to clean the rooms (Guillet, Bouchard & Bouzouane, 2013). The kitchen is efficient with compact storage and sleek working areas. Bathrooms are more spacious than those in the traditional homes. The air windows are operable thus providing good air quality. The building is then fitted with simple acoustic features that block noise and enhance communication thus creating a good sound quality. Provision of even and glare-free illumination provided by electrical features. There is a selection of finish materials for general use and attractiveness. The house is designed to reduce falls that creating an element of safety. The house is durable, well designed and skillfully constructed thus reducing maintenance. Accessible homes are future homes that everyone wants to live in
Location
Approach and Arrival
Entrance
Large porches do not define their effectiveness. The landing should be simply covered which defines the entrance that protects from the weather as one enters the home. Its basic planning module is the footprint of a wheelchair, at 30 in. By 48 in (Guillet, Bouchard & Bouzouane, 2013). Such a site is best when it is set away from meanders and with clearly separated boundaries that do not have meanders. This provides a space where the disabled person can pick up mails, take out the trash and join family and friends in outdoor activities.
Site Planning
Should commence before the home design is set in concrete. Circulation for pedestrians to and around the house and wheel mobility devices for automobiles should be taken into account. Sun angles and natural topography should be considered to control snow building and rain runoff. There should be a network of pathways that link outdoor activity centres. Where the land slope is steep, ramps and gentle steeps should be built. The light should be added for visibility (Guillet, Bouchard & Bouzouane, 2013). Maintenance should be reduced by via provision of proper drainage, durable paving and sturdy native plants
Designing Of the Functional Driveway and Parking Area
Parking
Some provisions for disabled people are provided for the parking of the vehicles. They include; Surface parking for two car spaces is provided with a maximum travel distance of 100 ft. From the building entrance for the physically disabled people, the width of parking for the parking bay shall be minimum 11 feet, notification that space is made for wheelchair users shall be displayed, guiding floor materials, devices which guide visually impaired people or other devices which serve the same purpose shall be provided. A typical automobile store is 8ft by 20ft, and side loading vans that require a stall width of 11ft. Manoeuvring spaces should be designed to avoid long backups and extensive Y-turns. Distinguish driveway edges to prevent the vehicle from driving off the paving. The vehicle should be measured accordingly to estimate the size of the parking area. A space for accessible passenger loading should also be provided.
Walkways should be at least 3ft. Wide with a turning area of at least 5ft for people with wheeled mobility (Guillet, Bouchard & Bouzouane, 2013). To favour those that are visually impaired, the texture should be distinct, and the place should be free of obstacles. Special attention should be paid to walkway edges to prevent obstruction or sliding of the wheelchair or even navigational canes.
Lighting
During the day, shadows created by the natural sunlight may create shadows that can never be distinguished from holes by the visually impaired people or people with people with brain injuries in the society thus making them step off the pathway. Therefore, natural shadings of plants and buildings should be considered when pathways for travel are being designed. Light fixtures for even illumination should be chosen. Also, outdoor light with motion sensors should be chosen for hand free path of travel
Landing
Accessible entrance starts with a landing which enables wheeled mobility not to roll back or even the people from stepping off as the door is opening. The landing needs to be large enough for the people to reach the door hardware and also to step away when the door is being opened. The minimum landing size is 5ft. By 5ft. this enables the wheelchair to change the directions
Stairs
Stairs width should be at least 36 inches when the trends have a width of at least 11 inches. Deep and risers are from between 4 to 7 in high (Guillet, Bouchard & Bouzouane, 2013). For safety, be sure tread and riser dimensions are uniforms. A platform lift at the porch landing offers an alternate way to enter the home with arms full of groceries.
Railing System
The set code for the handrails is 34 in. To 38 in. For adults and up to 28 in. For children (Guillet, Bouchard & Bouzouane, 2013). They are limited to one size and shape for the gripping surface to ensure comfortability when using it
Other Amenities
A place for removing mud from the mobile devices should be considered. An audible doorbell should be chosen for alerting the person in the interior of the house. It should be located at an accessible height for a person in a wheelchair and space for the wheelchair. There should be a shell to place bags and a resting bench as one waits for the door to be opened.
Build Connection
It should be easy to move from one space to the other, one room to the other and one floor to the other. It is good to incorporate porch doors since they serve dual functions and are generous and welcoming. This is because the door is wide enough and safe to use. Transom glass and side lights should be used since they bring in natural light to the entrance and enables the hom...