By Lorraine Woodward, www.BecomingRentABLE.com
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When most people think about accessibility, they often think in terms of wheelchair access. Unfortunately, by doing this you exclude a huge population of people with disabilities. At Becoming rentABLE, we advocate for expanding accessibility for all types of disabilities including all mobility (wheelchair, walker, canes and crutches), cognitive (autism, dementia, brain injury), hearing, sight and aging access.
As the accessible short-term rental experts, Becoming rentABLE has created a listing platform with 63 different accessible filters so renters with any type of disability can choose specific filters and find properties that match their needs. It’s matchmaking at its best!
UNDERSTANDING LIMB DIFFERENCES
Disabilities come in all shapes and sizes and each disability comes with its own unique set of accessibility needs. Let’s consider the needs of individuals with limb differences. Regardless of whether the individuals have congenital limb differences (born without a limb or part of a limb) or acquired limb differences (lost a limb due to injury or illness), their personal needs will all vary.
According to the Amputee Coalition, there are over 5.6 million people currently living with either limb loss or limb differences. This is a significant part of the population that you can create a more accessible travel experience for by considering some key elements in your short- term rental. Following are some ways you can increase accessibility in your property.
GENERAL ACCESSIBILITY TIPS (these are actually beneficial to everyone!)
Maintain clear pathways throughout the rental to ensure easy navigation for all guests.
Implement smart home devices to control lights, temperature, and other features, providing greater convenience and independence.
Add night lights to dark hallways and bathrooms to help reduce the risk of accidents.
EXTERIOR ACCESSIBILITY
- Provide ramps with sturdy handrails for extra support. Ensure walkways are level and free of obstacles.
- Add adequate outdoor lighting, especially motion-activated lights, to enhance safety.
KITCHEN
- Consider lowering cabinets or putting essential items on lowest shelves to reach easier.
- Install lever-style faucets which are more user-friendly for people with limited hand function.
BATHROOM
- Install grab bars near the toilet and shower for added stability.
- Include non-slip mats in your bathroom to reduce risk of slips and falls, especially for those with limited balance.
- Provide a comfortable and safe shower chair as a seating option for bathing.
- Swap out traditional shower heads for a handheld version that offers flexibility and ease of use.
- Help renters keep toiletries within easy reach by having easy to reach, open shelving.
- If you supply soap, shampoo and conditioner, consider using small refillable bottles that make it easier for your renters to handle.
BEDROOM
- A height-adjustable bed can make it easier for individuals with lower limb differences to get in and out of bed.
- Consider adding bedside controls for lights and other devices within easy reach. Ensure there’s enough space to maneuver around the bed and other furniture.
- By incorporating these design elements, you can create short-term rentals that are welcoming and accessible to people with limb differences. Let’s work together to make travel a more inclusive experience for everyone.
Becoming rentABLE is an online directory of accessible short-term rental properties and resources. Think of us as an accessibility friendly Vrbo or Airbnb. Our goal is to build our inventory by certifying properties for accessibility beyond just a wheelchair to include all mobility, cognitive, hearing, sight and the fast-growing aging population because we know accessibility is a part of life for everyone. For Becoming rentABLE accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s the priority. For more information, www.BecomingRentABLE.com.