The final goal of any rehabilitation programme is to return the person as close as possible to his/her former life. For this certain modifications are essential to make you comfortable in your home atmosphere. You might have to make some adaptations to the built environment to live comfortably at home. Making your home wheelchair accessible is very important for you to be able to lead a full life.

How will home modification help me?
Home modification will help you in a number of ways:

• Enter and exit your home easily and whenever you like
• Follow the routine of going to the bathroom as you may have been in the spinal unit
• Do cooking in the kitchen if you wish to
• Be more independent on the whole in your activities of daily living.
• Most importantly it will give you control your own life

What are the various factors to be considered while suggesting home modification?
The points to be considered are:

1. The accessibility of different rooms and facilities in the home.
2. The mobility permitted by size, furnishing and arrangement of rooms.
3. safetyin the house.
4. The need for modification or assistance to ensure safe to the entrance of the house from outside is evaluated as in case for emergency.

With that Source, cost and description of equipment that is needed are specified.

What are the different points you should consider before making any changes?
The main points to be considered before thinking of modification are:

• Whether you live in a ground floor house.
• Whether you or your family owns it.
• Whether the house is rented and if so is it possible to make changes in the house?
  • Ideal Ramp Ramp installed should be 1’’ of rise to every 12’’ of length.Maximum width should be 36" (inside rails) - (48" is ideal) Slip resistant surfaces - strips, rough concrete are acceptable surfaces.Door should have at least have 2’ 8" opening at 90 degree position

What are the possible changes I can make in my BEDROOM ?

• All electrical switches should be at a height that you can reach (3 feet from the ground). The light switch, fan regulator could be next to your bedside so that you need not get out of bed to switch it off.
• The height of the bed should be same as your wheelchair for easy transfer and at least one side of bed should be wheelchair.
• One clear area (best in front of closet) measuring at least 5 sq. feet should exist for wheelchair maneuvering.
• Try to make almirahs and drawers accessible otherwise a stick with a hook is provided to take off the hangers.
• Stacking shelves with rollers can be used.
• Avoid any heavy furniture.

What I could do with my Bathroom to make it accessible and safe?

• A minimum of 5 sq. feet space is required for wheelchair maneuvering Bathroom controls including taps, flush etc. should not be higher than 3 feet.
• All electrical fittings should be at the height you can reach (3 feet from the ground)
• Horizontal grab bars of 1.5 inches diameter and capable of bearing most of your weight should be installed at a height of approximately 3 feet.
• The sink should be about 3 to 3.5 feet from the ground with the area under it free for the wheelchair
• All exposed edges should be rounded.
• The looking mirror should not be placed higher that 3 to 3.5 feet from the ground.

What points are to be considered while making changes in Toilet?

• A western type commode will be ideal for you. Alternatively you could build a wooden stool with a hole that could be placed over the Indian commode.
• Fixture or seat should be raised to wheelchair height.
• Place a horizontal grab bar adjacent to the toilet at a height of about 2.9 feet from the ground.

How can my kitchen be made wheelchair friendly?
Counter area should be continuos. Cooking and eating surfaces could be combined.A movable worktable may be made in place of lowering the existent cabinet place.Work counter installed (minimum 3’ wide x maximum height of 2’10"). Leg clearance minimum of 2’3".Tile, Pyrex or marble slabs to be installed for working with hot things and for sliding.The shelf with cooking stove should have a maximum height 34".Knee Space beneath should be at least 3’ wide and 27" high.Self-defrosting and Frost Free are easier for cleaning.

What are the other points to be considered while making a lay out for modification?

• Carpeting should be low pile, close knit.
• Mirrors should be 48" from floor.
• Light switches should be 42" from floor.
• Hallways should be at least 36" and ideally should be 42".
• Parking place should have at least 5’ wide clear area on one side of the car space