SHOWHOME DIRECTORY Kensington South Kensington 246 Hassard Close Hours: Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 2-4pm Randy Jacobson 306.227.1933 Office 306.934.3086
The Meadows THE MEADOWS HarvestTownhome #623 – 701 Meadows Boulevard
THE MEADOWS
The Brady 231 Greyeyes-Steele Way
THE MEADOWS The Morris Landway Home 138 Greyeyes-SteeleWay
Call 306-291-8785 MeadowsLiving.ca
Call 306-291-8785 MeadowsLiving.ca
Call 306-291-8785 MeadowsLiving.ca
Making Your Home Accessible for Everyone
Tues – Thurs: 4 – 8pm Weekends: 1 – 5pm
Tues – Thurs: 4 – 8pm Weekends: 1 – 5pm
Looking for a certified builder or renovator you can trust?
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When building or renovating, many people plan around whether • Turning spaces of 60 inches in diameter are needed for they are going to consider selling the home soon or stay for the those in wheelchairs or scooters. long-term. Knowing this helps to determine finishing touches like Simple and Intuitive – Layout and design elements should be paint colours, countertops, or whether to have two large bedrooms easy for people of varying abilities to understand and manoeuver or three average-size ones. But what about making the house through. accessible for the elderly or for those with disabilities? • An open concept improves ease of movement and allows Being accessible means more than having a wheelchair ramp on people to see where items and other rooms are. the front of the house; it means making the whole home accessible • Have a bathroom near bedrooms, and quiet areas such as inside and outside. Following the seven Principles of Universal bedrooms away from potentially noisy areas like family Design will assist you in making your home accessible for rooms. everyone. These principles, and examples of each, are: Perceptible Information – The design of the home needs to take Equitable Use – Provide equitable access and levels of safety in into account that people use different methods of ‘seeing,’ whether an integrated and dignified manner. visual, audible or tactile. • Consider having countertops at two different levels. • Exterior doors with a window will allow those who are deaf or hard of hearing to see people approaching. Painting • Install light switches and thermostats no more than 38” from doors and walls contrasting colours will make doors easier to the floor. identify. Size and Space for Approach and Use – Consider the space Flexibility in Use – Taking into account the occupants’ wide needed to safely access items and move around the home. range of preferences and abilities over time fulfills this principle. • Doorways should have a clear passage width of at least 32 • Levelled door thresholds reduce tripping and increase ease of inches. mobility. • A continuous pathway into and around living spaces that Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes the potential for provides access to furniture, switches and controls should be unintended results by giving thought to how everyone could use at least 36 inches wide. an item or space safely.
• Appropriate lighting will improve visibility of items for those with vision issues and also make lip-reading easier for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. • Resistant surfaces such as carpet may reduce slip and fall injuries. Low Physical Effort – Choose items that limit the strength, stamina and dexterity needed to use controls and products, or access spaces. • Lever handles (as opposed to traditional knobs) are easy to use for almost anyone. • Placing shelves beside doors allows users to set down items before trying to open the door. These are just a few ideas for increasing the accessibility of your home. No matter which options you are considering, you can discuss the options with your builder or renovator as they will be able to guide you through the processes. When it comes to improving your home, don’t take any chances work with a professional renovator, and Get it in Writing!
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