Accessibility a Priority for Some Condo Buyers

- by Shelley Williamson 

For many condo shoppers, there are more details to consider than whether the balcony faces west or how many bedrooms are included. Seniors in the market for a condo in which they can comfortably age in place, or anyone with mobility issues – such as accommodating a wheelchair – may have a number of questions about accessibility that need to be addressed before taking that condo-buying plunge.

Alan Nakatsui, Technical Advisor for the Accessible Housing Society, Calgary says anyone interested in buying a condo should scope out a potential condo with these factors in mind:

• Location: Choose a building in an area that is not too hilly, if possible. Nakatsui suggests also looking for curb cuts in sidewalks, and whether there are amenities nearby such as shopping or recreational pursuits – and if these, too, are accessible by wheelchair.


• Parking: Underground parking is a plus. Will an oversized van fit? Are there wheelchair-accessible stalls that can be assigned to you, if there’s not one on title?



• Entrances to the building: Look at both the entry from the street and from the parking area. Do you need a key or is there a card lock – swiping a card is easier than inserting a key and turning it, and some systems only require the card be near the reader. If you have a ground floor entry directly into your suite, are there steps? Is it possible to install a ramp? Will the condo board allow modifications?



• Letter boxes: Check the height. Are they accessible from a wheelchair?


• Elevators: Are they big enough to fit, and are buttons reachable from a wheelchair?


• Suite entry door: In apartment-style condos, there will be an automatic closer and it requires some strength to open.
  "Some people who are frail and in wheelchairs have difficulties opening that door because there's a spring-loaded closer Ö that's something that can only be dealt with a power door operator," Nakatsui.


• Doors: Doors should be at least 34 inches wide, but 36 inches is better; meanwhile, lever handles, which are often a choice when buying new, are better than knobs if grip is a problem.


• Windows: Ensure the window sills are low enough to see out while seated. In terms of type, casements (crank) are easier to open than vertical sliders, says Nakatsui.


• Maneuvering space: Hallways may be problematic, particularly where a 90-degree turn through a doorway is required. Kitchens and bathrooms are also areas requiring sufficient maneuvering space, but how much depends on the design. A general rule is that a five-foot turning circle is enough, but it all depends on the chair, as well as the person in it, says Nakatsui.
  "Some people are also better drivers than others. Open spaces under counters do help as they can be used for additional knee space in turning," he adds.


• Bathrooms: Bigger is always better as extra space for turning is a must. Open space under the sink is needed, to get close enough to use the vanity and sink comfortably. The mirror should also go down to the top of the vanity or a tilting mirror may be needed. A wheel-in shower, ideally 30 inches by 60 inches, is preferable to a tub or walk-in shower, since it is more flexible for use with different mobility aids. A pressure- balanced temperature controlled shower valve and telephone showerhead with height adjustment are also recommended.


• Kitchens: Clear space under the sink, and a countertop stove as well as some working counter area at the proper height for someone who’s seated are needed for workable kitchens. But, Nakatsui says, cabinets can be built to be removable in the future. Another option might be to install retractable doors on cabinets to maintain the look of conventional cabinets while providing clear space.
  A wall oven with side-swing door can be more easily accessed from a wheelchair than a regular oven, as can a side-by-side fridge or bottom-mount freezer. The oven should be placed at a height that the racks inside are around the same height as the adjacent counter, and open space under the counter adjacent also will help. A smooth top stove with front-mount controls is easiest to access, says Nakatsui.


• Electrical: Rocker or “Decora” switches can be easier to use than toggle types, and ideal switch heights are 42 inches from the ground, and outlets at 18 inches.


• Flooring: Plush carpet is an impediment to manual wheelchairs and can wear quickly under power chairs. Lower-quality cushioned sheet vinyl flooring is vulnerable to splitting and de-lamination under heavy wheelchair loads, so smoother, harder floor coverings, such a hardwoods, are practical alternatives. For laminate flooring, connecting tabs have to stand up to heavy-wheeled traffic.

Nakatsui says it is possible to also make changes to condo suites later on, as in the case of seniors who might not yet be using a wheelchair, but want to be prepared for later in life.

He says new condo developers may also allow changes, so it doesn’t hurt to ask. “Then it’s all brand new for you and may be a little less expensive,” he says, adding as universal design becomes more popular, the appearance of homes built to accommodate wheelchairs will become more mainstream.

Nakatsui urges anyone with mobility issues who’s looking at housing options to contact the Accessible Housing Society, Calgary at 282-1872.  “We also encourage developers and builders to contact us for plan reviews and more details on how to incorporate the features that are needed.”

For more hints and tips about buying and owning a condominium in Calgary, watch Shaw TV's Condo Living with Barb Mitchell, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 

---

Feel free to go back to the archives page for more articles.

View even more archived articles on our Condo Living website or pick up the current issue at over 400 locations in Calgary for up-to-date articles on new developments and other related topics.