A Guide to Home Accessibility for Visual Impairments

When people think about home accessibility, they often think about accommodating loved ones with mobility challenges. If you or a family member is living with a visual impairment, moving into a new home can feel challenging. Many homes are not designed with vision needs in mind, as many layouts include walls that close off spaces for privacy or aesthetics.

However, designing a new home makes it easier to implement from the very beginning. This guide outlines essential considerations for creating an accessible living space.

Lighting for Vision Needs

For those with low visual acuity, the ability to see details or some objects can be completely disrupted. Eyesight may be especially poor in dim lighting or at night. Having ample lighting ensures everything is in sharp contrast to its surroundings.

One of the biggest tips for improving lighting in a home is to ensure there are plenty of windows throughout to help increase natural lighting.

When possible, avoid lighting that casts shadows, as this can cause visual confusion. Instead, place lighting fixtures around the room at the same height to create a continuous light. When choosing furniture and flooring, avoid shiny surfaces that can reflect lighting or glare under sunlight.

Additionally, installing more task lighting throughout the home can be helpful. Focus on installing such fixtures in the kitchen, bathrooms and any areas where someone will work, read or study. Lighting under shelving and cabinets will make these small spaces easier and safer to use.

Safe Flooring for Vision Needs

Using safe flooring is essential for those who have a form of visual impairment. Choose non-slip materials and install warning strips to help someone know when they may be about to encounter steps, a threshold between rooms or a transition between flooring materials.

Additionally, choose non-glossy flooring and avoid cleaning products that leave behind a shiny finish. Glossy floors can create glare that causes visual confusion and, in some cases, pain for those with visual impairments. It can also be helpful to install tactile strips at arm level for someone to navigate around the home.

Wall Considerations for Vision Needs

Grab Bars

Installing grab bars in slippery or high-traffic areas is a great move even in homes where no one has a visual impairment. Grab bars can provide extra stability and guidance along stairways, bathrooms, and even the kitchen. Install bars in a color that contrasts against the surface they are being applied to for high visibility.

Colors

Even the colors on the walls can serve the dual purpose of being fashionable and helpful. Use contrasting colors to create more dimension in a room and to also guide someone to specific areas.

For exits, use a specific and bright color and be consistent on every exit. Additionally, create emergency exit plans and go through emergency exit scenarios with your loved ones so they can move quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency. Being visually impaired during an emergency can add extra confusion, so having an exit plan is imperative.

Contrast can also be helpful around door frames, windows, counter and furniture corners, and other important household features that might be easy to bump into. Note that while contrasting colors are good to use, you should avoid patterns and choose solid colors instead.

Additional Potential Hazards

Tripping hazards are common in homes, from cords on the floor to chairs pulled out from under desks. While these are often accidental mishap creations, some are within your control. Keep the following tips in mind for safety:

• Keep cords located behind their electronics and away from walking areas.
• Avoid hanging frames or other objects on the walls at arm’s height to avoid issues for anyone using a wall to help guide them as they walk.
• Tape down the edges of throw rugs so they don’t slip or curl, creating a tripping hazard.

Modifications for Daily Living

For those who have a severe visual impairment, there are a few additional modifications that can be beneficial, including the following:

• Use Braille labeling near important home features, like appliances, security systems, and temperature controls.
• Install a phone entry system so anyone at the door can be talked to safely without needing to visually identify them.
• Choose appliances with tactile controls rather than solely visual ones.
• Use a cool guard around high-heat areas, such as around the oven in the kitchen.

If someone in the house uses a service animal, make sure the dog can hear you from any room in the house. Additionally, keep their bed in a corner or other area where it will not create a tripping hazard.

Ultimately, designing an accessible home is one of the best steps toward creating ease of living for anyone with a visual impairment. Schumacher Homes are Certified Aging in Place Specialists, so you can count on receiving reliable advice for your accessible home designs. We can work with you using one of our existing accessible home design plans to create the home of your needs and your dreams.

About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 26 locations in 12 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award-winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends.