Researchers sought to review and test home modifications that could improve accessibility for people with disabilities of semi-detached and non-detached residential buildings (townhomes and row houses), which often have elevated entrances, narrow floorplans, and functionality (kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms) spread among several levels. Focus groups of users, caregivers, and professionals identified several areas of the home, such as bathrooms, stairs, laundry room, and entryway or entrances, as presenting some of the greatest challenges for accomplishing daily activities and ease of use. The focus groups also confirmed results of a literature review that highlighted the importance of the appearance of assistive devices in the home, the need for standard methods of evaluating assistive devices, and the central importance of affordability for making modifications feasible. An interdisciplinary advisory group selected ten promising accessibility products for initial assessment in the townhouse and rowhouse environment: All-push door, FlexStep, fixture-integrated rails/handholds, toilet rise/step combination, SuperPole, StairSteady, vehicle lift, adjustable height toilet, movable storage wall, and turntable/carousel. Four of these assistive technologies were installed and tested further. The results reveal the need for further innovation to focus on low-cost and affordable assistive devices that install permanently in the home, as most firms producing assistive products in the U.S. focus on personal assistive devices, generally regarded as medical devices, for those with mobility related issues.

Download the Tips Sheets below:

• Tip Sheet Door Assist Device
• Tip Sheet Stair-Climbing Device
• Tip Sheet Stair Lift Device