Remodel for Accessibility

Tips from Real-Estate-Agents.com

reprinted courtesy of ServiceMagic.com

Here are some common remodeling projects to make areas accessible to people with difficulty walking or in wheelchairs:

Ramps and hand rails to help people get in and out of the home.
Widening halls and doorways to make room for wheelchairs and walkers.
Changing swinging doors to sliding pocket doors, or to swing out instead of in to a room to increase maneuverability in kitchens, bathrooms and closets.
Providing reachable light switches and outlets to help those with mobility problems.
Counters, cooktops and sinks can lowered to 30 inches rather than the standard 36-inch height to be reachable.
Areas under counters can be left open at least 27 inches high x 30 inches wide x 19 inches deep to allow knee space.
Finishing countertops with smooth, matte-finishes such as marble, wood, granite, Corian and plastic laminate to allow heavy posts and pans to slide easily from sink to cooktop.
Sliding cabinet doors, lower upper cabinets and base cabinets equipped with full extension drawers and roll-out shelves are more accessible for those in wheelchairs and those with trouble lifting, bending, reaching.
(Ironically, higher counters and roll-out shelves on upper cabinets are better suited for those using walkers.)
Lever handles on doors and faucets and loops on drawers make them easier to open. Grab bars help people to use showers, tubs, toilets and to get in and out of bed and chairs.

Here's more reading if you want to Design for Accessibility

-- Tips courtesy of Service Magic