Top 10 Things To Consider To Make A Manufactured Home ADA (Handicap) Accessible

Manufactured homes are ideal for people wanting an ADA (handicap) accessible home. Since the plans are pre-approved and conform to HUD requirements, they can be easily adapted to fit mobility and function impairment needs.

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1. Eliminate hallways in the floor plan. Narrow hallways are a significant problem if you are in a wheelchair or have difficulty getting around. You can adjust the floor plan to remove the conditions which create these narrow halls. Separate the bedrooms. One reason for the narrow corridors is that all the bedrooms are on one side of the unit. Place the bedrooms on opposite sides of the main living area, so there is a large door with no other obstructions to enter the bedroom.
2. Use an open floor plan. Compartmentalizing the space creates narrow corridors and small areas which may be challenging to navigate. An open floorplan will allow easy movement from one part of the living area to another.
3. Ensure door openings are at least 3 feet wide. Wider doors will make going from one room to another easier.
4. Install stability handles around toilets and leave room to allow easy access to and from the toilet seat. Ensure there is room for a wheelchair if required and that there is a sufficient turning radius.

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5. Install a walk-in shower/tub combo or just a walk-in shower. Decide which would best suit your needs. Install stability bars and make sure there is room to maneuver in the shower.
6. Make all counters, appliances, light switches, and sinks low enough to allow easy access from a wheelchair or lower height. It would help if you didn’t have to struggle to reach these surfaces. Make electric receptacles higher off the floor so you don’t have to reach as low.
7. Install wheelchair ramps or easy-to-navigate stairs to suit your needs. Make sure there is enough room. If the ramp or stairs are too narrow, this could provide a mobility obstacle. Another option is to set the home entrances to ground level with a pit setup or cellar. Thus, it removes the need for a ramp or elevation rise and makes it much easier to enter your home.
8. Flooring options. Avoid carpet in the home. Instead, choose hardwood or linoleum for all floor surfaces to make them more wheelchair accessible. It will also be easier to keep these surfaces clean.
9. Sidewalks and landscaping. With all this focus on the interior, it would be easy to forget the ground surrounding your home, but this is just as important. For example, having a nice ramp but poor access to it would not be good. Instead, pay attention to sidewalks, driveways, and the landscape around your home. Make sure there is room to access all the areas around the house.
10. Easy to open screen doors. Screen doors are often a significant barrier to easy access. The outer door has to be held open while trying to get in through the inner door. Having a screen curtain could help with this. A hanging split screen which will part as you go through. Another option is a screen door that opens on its own at the push of a button. Or go without a screen door if you don’t feel it’s necessary.

By considering these options you can adapt your manufactured home to be an ADA (handicap) accessible home.