If you’re welcoming visitors into your home, you probably want to make them feel welcome, safe, and protected. If your guest has a disability, you’ll likely be wondering what steps you can take to improve their comfort and how to make your house accessible.
At 101 Mobility, we’re passionate about helping those with disabilities and other mobility challenges gain accessibility, and we’re sharing tips on how to properly prep your home for those you love. Learn more about inclusive hosting and making home modifications for visitors.
Beyond a Welcome Mat: Why Accommodating Visitors With Disabilities Matters
When you create an accessible home for guests, you foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, something your guests will thank you for, and something you’ll feel good about.
Your accommodations will go a long way, making your guests feel comfortable, but also giving them much-deserved dignity and respect.
And it’s important to keep in mind that accessibility doesn’t necessarily mean major renovations. There are many temporary accessibility solutions and small changes you can implement that can make a big difference.
What Are Occasions That Call for Accommodating Visitors with Disabilities?
Wondering when home modifications for visitors may be useful? Take a look at a few common scenarios below where creating a mobility friendly home may be necessary.
- Family Gatherings and Holidays: Whether you’re hosting the Thanksgiving feast or your next family reunion, there may be guests that need accommodations.
- Hosting Friends: If you’re inviting someone over who recently had surgery or is dealing with an injury, you may want to assess your home’s situation and adjust.
- Welcoming New Moms: Excited to see a friend’s newborn? Know that mothers may come with strollers, carriers, and more, which may require a few light adjustments.
- Travelers With Diverse Needs: No matter who is visiting, you’ll want to check and see if they have any special needs as they may need assistance in ways you were unaware of.
Taking the extra step to make your home more accommodating is not just a physical act, but a caring one, as your guests will feel a sense of belonging you can’t put a price on. And you don’t have to do it alone. 101 Mobility is here to share insights on how to make a house accessible. Read on to learn how to accommodate visitors with disabilities through permanent and temporary accessibility solutions.
First Impressions: Making Your Entryway & Pathways Accessible
When preparing for disabled guests, you’ll want to assess the accessibility level of your home. Start with the basics, the entrance to your home. For many, mobility challenges may occur at the very first step inside, as it may be hard to navigate rises at entryways. However, there are a few wheelchair-accessible home tips you can explore and some things you can do to implement universal design home features.
Eliminate Steps by Adding a Ramp
Ramps can be truly lifechanging tools when it comes to granting your guests access. At 101 Mobility, we offer a range of versatile ramps designed to eliminate the climb up the steps.
- Threshold Ramps: We offer both aluminum threshold ramps and rubber threshold ramps designed to help with a single step at the front door or garage, eliminating tripping hazards, and providing smooth transitions for those using assistive devices.
- Modular Ramps: Designed for longer-term use or more significant grade changes, these customizable options are ideal installations if you’re looking to accommodate visitors with disabilities who come around frequently.
- Portable Ramps: If you’re going to be supporting a visitor who uses a wheelchair, a multi-fold ramp can be useful, as you can take it on the go and access it as needed.
Portable ramps for visitors can be great tools to explore. Whatever ramp you decide on, make sure there is a smooth slope and that your home’s entrance has non-slip surfaces in order to create the ultimate safe environment. Get wheelchair accessible home tips and learn more about upgrades you can complete to the entrance of your home.
Create Clear and Wide Pathways
While your favorite chair or ottoman may be a fun statement piece, it may actually be a hazard for your guests. Depending on your unique situation and home’s layout, you may want to rearrange furniture, ensuring you create paths that are at least 36 inches wide. When preparing for disabled guests, you’ll also want to remove tripping hazards like clutter and loose rugs. Want more information on assessing your home’s hazards? Check out our room-by-room fall prevention guide to learn more about home modifications for visitors.
Have a few pesky door handles or knobs? You may want to consider universal design home features here as well. Switching them out for lever-style door handles can make them easier to use for those with limited hand mobility. If your guests need more help, you can also explore one of our automatic door openers to create a mobility friendly home.
Navigating Multi-Level Homes: Solutions for Stairs
Staircases can also be challenging for elderly guests or those dealing with mobility difficulties. Stairs can be tripping hazards and present physical challenges, as they require a lot of effort to climb. Explore the solutions that can make it easier for your guests to navigate the stairs in your home.
Temporary Accessibility Solutions & Permanent Stair Solutions
- Stairlifts: These tools can be gamechangers for guests who are able to transfer to a seat. We offer a wide range of stairlifts, including straight, curved, and outdoor varieties, all easily installed to accommodate visitors with disabilities. Only need a stairlift for the short-term while your guest is visiting? 101 Mobility offers stairlift rentals, too. So, you never have to worry about having the proper equipment to make your guests feel safe and welcome. Learn more about all the reasons you should install a stairlift and get additional advice about making an accessible home for guests.
- Vertical Platform Lifts (VPLs): VPLs can also be ideal solutions when it comes to granting access to raised porches, decks, and other elevated areas. You may also want to learn about through-the-floor lifts and home elevators.
When making your stairs more accessible, don’t forget about the handrails and lighting. These can greatly improve visibility and stability—making the area safer in the process.
The Guest Bathroom: Ensuring Comfort and Safety
The bathroom can be a dangerous place when it comes to mobility, as slippery surfaces can be hard to navigate. There are several updates you can make to improve guest bathroom accessibility.
Grab Bars: A Must-Have for Stability
Grab bars for guests can be installed on almost any surface in almost any area, but are especially useful near the toilet and inside and outside of the shower or tub, giving your guests something to grab onto for stability. While there are grab bars that function as temporary accessibility solutions, our more permanent options are ideal for heavier support and don’t run the risk of slipping. Similarly, a SuperPole can also be added in the bathroom or around the house where needed, giving flexible assistance.
Accessible Showers and Toilets
Shower chairs, benches, and additional items can all make showering and using the bathroom easier for your guest. Our shower chairs, like our Shower Buddy SB3-T or Roll-In Shower Buddy Lite SB6C, are great options to explore as they roll right into your shower. If you have a bath, our Bathlyft may be right for your home. Learn more about making your shower more accessible and creating a mobility friendly home.
In addition, handheld shower heads, raised toilet seats, and non-slip bath maths can all be great solutions to explore. You’ll also want to consider clearing adequate space around the toilet and shower to accommodate visitors with disabilities who have varying needs and mobility devices. Get additional insights on improving bathroom safety and preparing for disabled guests.
Need some larger, more permanent fixes when it comes to guest bathroom accessibility? We do whole bathroom renovations, too! See how we can help and explore our other bath safety products.
Creating an Accessible Guest Room & Common Areas
Is your guest staying overnight or long-term? Don’t forget to ensure the guest bedroom is safe and comfortable, too. Check that there is sufficient space around the bed for mobility devices and that the bed is at a natural height where straining to get on and off it won’t be required.
When creating a disability-friendly guest room, ensure that light switches, lamps, and outlets are all easily accessible and that there are clear pathways to closets, desks, and other furniture. You may also want to consider smart devices depending on your guest’s needs and the length of their stay.
The Smart Solution for Temporary Needs: Renting Mobility Equipment from 101 Mobility
Your guests’ stay is usually temporary—and your accessibility accommodations can be, too. There’s often no need to make a large or permanent purchase. And when you rent with 101 Mobility, you get temporary accessibility solutions you can count on. You also get cost-effectiveness, professional installation and removal, a hassle-free experience, and the ultimate flexibility. Explore our rental options to see how this short-term commitment works and learn more about how to make a house accessible below.
Mobility Equipment Rentals for Every Occasion Nationwide
Whether you’re hosting for a holiday or having guests over for a party, we can help. Check out just a few of the rental solutions we offer and reach out to your local 101 Mobility to hear about their specific rental options.
- Renting Ramps for Entryways: Get the portable and modular ramps you need to make your entryways more accessible for guests. Help those using wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers move freely into or through your home.
- Stairlift Rentals for Multi-Level Homes: Stairlifts for temporary use are the perfect options for welcoming a family member recovering from surgery or hosting an elderly relative for an extended stay. Stairlifts don’t have to be permanent and we can get you the product you need for the time you need it.
- Other Essential Rentals: Need something else to make your guest feel at home? Many of our locations offer patient lift, scooter, platform lift rentals, and more. With us, it’s easy to get your home fully set up and accessible.
Your Simple Path to Inclusive Hosting: The 101 Mobility Rental Process
At 101 Mobility, we’re passionate about helping those in our community live more freely and comfortably. That’s why we’re so proud to offer a range of mobility solutions and resources. When you choose us to help make your home modifications for visitors, you’re getting help from a compassionate team of experts who cares. Learn more about what you can expect.
- Step 1: Free Consultation: Get in contact with us to set up a free in-home consultation, where we’ll learn more about your guest’s specific needs and your home’s layout.
- Step 2: Professional Installation: Get peace of mind that everything is set up properly, as we’ll complete safety checks and keep you in the loop along the way.
- Step 3: Enjoy the Visit: Spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your company knowing your home is safe and accessible.
- Step 4: Convenient Removal: We’ll handle everything and that includes the removal of your rental equipment once your guest has left.
Creating an accessible home for guests with disabilities can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring they feel welcome. And handling these improvements for those you care about most doesn’t have to be stressful. You can count on 101 Mobility to help you every step of the way. Explore our full range of mobility products, check out our blog for more handy resources, and contact us to rent the equipment you need today.
