What Parents Should Prioritize in an Accessible Home

Image via Freepik Buying a home becomes far more complex when your child has a disability. Every feature — from door width to floor surface — can affect your child’s comfort, independence, and safety. The wrong layout adds stress; the right one supports daily routines. For parents, it’s not just about location or budget — it’s about finding a space that works with your life instead of against it. A well-chosen home can reduce friction and give everyone more room to breathe.

Design That Anticipates, Not Reacts

The most effective house hunting lens starts with a mindset — one grounded in universal design. That doesn’t just mean ADA compliance or a ramp out front. It means looking for a layout that works for people across ages and abilities without needing constant adaptation. Homes that reflect inclusive universal design principles often include wider halls, open sight lines, and even lighting that doesn’t cast deep shadows. Think less about ‘fixing’ a space after the fact, and more about how the space anticipates varied needs from the start. This can save thousands in renovations and hours of effort over time. Instead of asking, “Can we make this work?” ask, “Was this already designed to work for us?”

Why Layout Flexibility Matters Early

Standard homes assume standard mobility — an assumption that rarely holds true in caregiving households. Whether your child uses mobility equipment now or may need it in the future, prioritize spaces that can accommodate widening doorways and thresholds. A few inches may not sound like much until you're trying to pivot a wheelchair through a tight bathroom or navigate a hallway while carrying both a child and a feeding pump. Open layouts aren’t just trendy — they’re functional lifelines. And keep an eye out for load-bearing walls if you're considering renovation. Some homes simply can’t be opened up affordably, and it’s better to know that upfront.

When Equipment Breaks, What’s Your Backup?

Here’s something most house hunters never think about: what happens when the washing machine breaks midweek, right after therapy and before dinner? In caregiving households, appliance failures don’t just disrupt routine — they compound chaos. That’s why it’s worth considering a home appliance warranty as part of your broader risk-management toolkit. Especially if your child has dietary needs, medical routines, or sensory triggers tied to comfort (think: sound machines, warming blankets, or special kitchen tools), appliance downtime isn’t just an annoyance. It’s a threat to stability. While no warranty covers everything, knowing there’s a repair process in place can be a quiet form of relief — one you’ll only fully appreciate the first time something stops working.

Surface Choices That Support Stability

Surfaces seem minor until they aren’t. Shag carpeting, glossy tiles, loose rugs — all of them turn into hazards when your child has stability challenges or sensory sensitivities. Look for low-pile and slip-resistant flooring that provides both safety and comfort. Hard surfaces like vinyl plank or cork can provide smooth transitions between rooms without creating jarring changes in texture. And if you’re assessing an older home, check for thresholds between rooms — these little bumps can be big trip risks. A truly accessible floor plan is one where mobility flows, friction is minimized, and sensory overload is reduced before it begins.

The First Step Shouldn’t Be a Step

The front door sets the tone for everything else. A home with stairs at every entrance is a red flag — not just for now, but for the future. Prioritize zero-step entry ramps with proper slope that allow for seamless arrival. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy a split-level or a two-story — it just means you’ll need at least one entrance and one bathroom that can be used without lifting, carrying, or navigating stairs. The best ramps blend into the home’s design and offer weather-safe traction, side rails, and adequate platform space at the door. And don’t forget: ramps aren’t just for wheelchairs — they’re for strollers, walkers, delivery carts, and moments when you’re simply carrying too much.

Navigating Accessibility While Renting

If you’re renting, don’t assume you’re powerless. Families with disabled children are still protected under the Fair Housing Act — which means you have the right to request landlord accessibility modifications, even if you’re not the one with the disability. Landlords aren’t required to pay for all changes, but they are required to allow reasonable ones — like installing grab bars, removing under-sink cabinets, or replacing a knob with a lever handle. Just be sure to submit requests in writing, with specific language about how the change improves access for your child. Renters often assume ownership is the only path to accessibility — but in many cases, policy is already on your side.A home should make care easier, not harder. Look for one that supports how your family actually lives — not just how homes are usually built. Small details like entry access or floor transitions can have outsized impact on your child’s day. You’re not just making a purchase; you’re choosing an environment. The right space becomes part of your support system — steady, responsive, and built around the people who matter most.

Visit Forbes AAC to discover powerful speech-generating solutions that give voices to those who need them most. Suzanne Tanner is following in her mother’s footsteps to become a physical therapist. Growing up, she watched her mom work with patients of all backgrounds: individuals who were born with physical limitations and wanted to become stronger; people who suffered a trauma and were working to rebuild strength they’d lost or figuring out a new way of life after losing some of their physical abilities permanently; and senior citizens whose abilities had changed with age. She started her site, Able Safety, as an extra credit term project, but she decided to keep it going as a passion project. On the site, she shares tips, resources, and exercises for people with disabilities and seeks to empower and inspire people to live life on their terms no matter their abilities.