International Wheelchair Day is a day which recognizes and celebrates those who utilize a wheelchair, whether it is from mobility issues or age, the day helps to raise awareness and highlights the importance of transforming our spaces into wheelchair-friendly ones.
As one of the most well-known symbols of accessibility worldwide, the wheelchair is one of the most essential tools for helping those travel and navigate through their everyday lives.
What Accommodations Can Help Those Who Use Wheelchairs?
Long-term adjustments, such as ramps, handrails in bathrooms or kitchens and elevators should be considered if you or someone within your home has begun to use a wheelchair. These long-term changes, although requiring time and potential costs, are well-worth the investment.
Making accommodation available can really benefit those who use a wheelchair, as it allows for them to feel seen and independent as they’re able to traverse with ease.
How Can I Make My Own Home Wheelchair Friendly?
Promoting accessibility means providing the necessary changes for individuals to remain confident, so turning your home into an accessible space means you are keeping those considerations in mind.
Making your home an inviting space means making adjustments that ensure everyone can feel comfortable and welcome.
When it is your turn to host a fancy lunch or simple get-together, take a look around your space and consider if any changes need to be made, whether that is moving chairs about to make more space or removing a rug that could hinder wheelchair movement.
Implementation of these accessibility features makes your home a space that is ready for the future, as making these decisions ahead of time can help to prevent stress in the long run as you are prepared for any possibilities relating to mobility.
The Power of the Stiltz Trio Wheelchair Elevator:
At Stiltz for example, we support our wheelchair user community with a range of products that are designed exactly for wheelchairs, such as our Stiltz Trio Wheelchair Elevator Range. The home elevator is modern, sleek, and integrates into almost any kind of area within the home, whether that is a kitchen or living room.
Stiltz Home Elevators are designed with aesthetics in mind, unlike the traditional elevator which can often look clinical and uninviting. Built for home use, these elevators are a space-saving solution which is safe and affordable, with partial or full funding also available.
The Stiltz Trio is an innovative residential lift which is perfect for those in wheelchairs, as it is wider than the classic Duo Alta, and it offers enough space to transport a full-sized wheelchair or three people. The spacious design of the home elevator is ideal for carers or those who wish to accompany someone in a lift.
Stylish extras can also be added such as a molded perch seat, as well as bespoke colors and finishes. As we were designed for residential, and not commercial settings, aesthetics and visuals are a key part of what makes these types of elevators are so appealing, as they are a modern alternative to the traditional, usually unsightly stair lift, which means wheelchair users can feel more empowered with up-to-date technology.
Funding and Help Available with Stiltz Canada:
Funding is available, so be sure to look at the resources below to see if your home elevator can be partially or fully funded. Options such as Government Tax Credits, Disability Tax Credits as well as Medical Expense Tax Credits may be available to access- so check out our blog below for several options:
https://www.stiltzliftscanada.com/how-to-fund-your-accessible-home/
The Importance of International Wheelchair Day:
Wheelchairs provide users with freedom to move and the ability to carry on with everyday tasks. International Wheelchair Day, held on March 1, is a positive reminder that we should not only celebrate the power of a wheelchair, but we should also consider our own spaces, and if any adjustments need to
be made or any physical barriers to be removed, as everyone should have a right to remain independent and confident.