Once you have made your commitment to accessibility, the next question is how a barrier-free apartment is designed. It is clear that there are many construction sites, because in the end every single room has to be adapted. Auxiliatus goes through the individual rooms for you and explains how they should look so that they can be described as barrier-free.
1. Access
Often overlooked, access is a critical point that is necessary for a barrier-free apartment and is actually in the living area. It should be ensured here that you can enter your home without any problems. Sanubi has listed the most important measures for you.
- It is important to ensure that the apartment can be reached without having to overcome steps or thresholds. Sometimes ramps can also be used.
- There should be an elevator if the apartment is not on the ground floor.
- The balcony should be accessible without having to overcome thresholds or steps.
2. Apartment Corridor
Once access to the apartment is guaranteed, the hallway must be adjusted. It is important that you have enough space here to arrive and that the front door can be locked easily and securely. Sanubi lists the most important points for you.
- Make sure there are no raised thresholds, especially when moving to the other rooms.
- Ideally, the hallway has a width of 120cm.
- The cloakroom should be easily accessible and offer enough movement space for easy putting on and taking off of jackets, coats or the like.
3. Kitchen
The kitchen is a central place in every apartment. Not only is cooking and washing up here, it is often a lounge where you can spend a lot of time. If it is necessary to make an apartment barrier-free, it is essential that the kitchen is adapted to the new needs. Sanubi lists how you can best do this.
- The kitchen should have a seat.
- Kitchen appliances and cupboards must be easily accessible.
- The worktops and the hob should be accessible if a wheelchair is used in the apartment.
- In general, worktops and hob should be easily accessible and at the correct height.
- Stove monitoring with automatic switch-off should be installed.