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Your location: Home > Design and development > Home Access > Publications > Over 100 ways to improve access at home > Ways to improve access at home > Entering the home

Ways to improve access at home

Entering the home

This section offers solutions to the following access barriers:

1. The street number is small and hard to see
2. The front entry is hard to find
3. There are a number of steps at the entry door
4. The steps are slippery and dangerous
5. The edge of the steps cannot be seen clearly
6. There is a step or change of level at a doorway
7. The door handle and lock require two hands to operate
8. The round door handles are difficult to turn
9. There are too many keys to manage the different door locks around the home
10. The lock is located too close to the door frame
11. The door, the door handle and lock are hard to see
12. The style of door does not allow for easy opening and closing
13. The doors do not stay open

1. The street number is small and hard to see

• Ensure the street number is a different colour to its background and large enough to see from the road. Consider installing signs that are big, bold and contrasting and are well lit on a matt finish.
• Place the property number in a prominent position to ensure it is easily seen from the street by day or night.
• Paint the property number onto the kerb at the front of the property.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

2. The front entry is hard to find

• Install sensor lights on pathways and at the property entrance.

Available from hardware, lighting and discount department stores. A tradesperson or electrician may be required for installation. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

• Cut back any bushes or shrubs overhanging the footpath or property entrance.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

3. There are a number of steps at the entry door

• Install hand rails on the steps. (This is a horizontal or sloping rail at about waist height which is grasped by the hand for support and forms a safety rail to guard the side of a stairway, landing, elevated platform or walkway.)
  
  Advice from an occupational therapist is recommended prior to installing hand or grab rails.

Contact LifeTec Queensland Inc. for information.

• Install a modular ramp system at the steps. It can bridge height differences between the path/yard to the entry in low-set houses.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

• Remove the steps and replace with a ramp or a graded path. Install hand rails along the path or ensure the surrounding soil and/or grass is level with the new path at the edges.
  
  

  Advice from an occupational therapist is recommended prior to constructing a ramp or graded path.

Contact your nearest Home and Community Care Home Modiciation Service or LifeTec Queensland Inc. for assistance.

4. The steps are slippery and dangerous

• Tape non-slip, colour contrasting strips (self-adhesive tape glue strips) to the top (tread) of each step. Ensure the step has a smooth surface before applying the strips, as they do not adhere well to rough surfaces.
• Paint the steps with slip-resistant paint.

These items are available at hardware stores. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

• Clean the steps regularly, making sure no excess water remains.

5. The edge of the steps cannot be seen clearly

• Install sensor lights that automatically light up the steps as they are approached.

Available from hardware, lighting and discount department stores. Tradesperson assistance may be required. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

• Paint the edges of the risers and/or treads of the steps with a strip of colour-contrasting paint.
• Tape non-slip, colour contrasting strips to the top (tread) of each step.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

6. There is a step or change of level at a doorway

• Place a wedge/threshold ramp at the step/change of level.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

• Install a plastic modular ramp system at the step/change of level.

Contact LifeTec Queensland Inc. for information.

• Install a grab rail on the wall (this is a vertical or inclined rail that may be grasped for body support or to assist movement)
• Install a hand rail from wall to ground or landing.
  
  Advice from an occupational therapist is recommended prior to installing a hand or grab rail.

These items are available at hardware and discount department stores. Contact LifeTec Queensland Inc. or your local Home Assist Secure for information and assistance.

• Remove the steps and replace with a graded path. Install hand rails along the path or ensure the surrounding soil and/or grass is level with the new path at the edges.
  
  Advice from an occupational therapist is recommended prior to constructing a ramp or graded path.
  

Contact LifeTec Queensland Inc. or your local Home Assist Secure for information and assistance.

7. The door handle and lock require two hands to operate

• Replace the existing door handle with a key-in-lock lever action handle.
• Install a lever door handle and separate deadlock.

These items are available from hardware stores or a locksmith. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

8. The round door handles are difficult to turn

• Use a piece of non-slip matting or slip resistant cover that fits over the door handle to help grip the handle.
• Use a clip on level door handle.

Contact LifeTec Queensland Inc. for information.

• Replace the handles with lever door handles.

These items are available at hardware and discount department stores. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

9. There are too many keys to manage the different door locks around the home

• Change the lock cylinder on all doors to be keyed alike. One key then operates all doors.

Available from hardware stores or a locksmith. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

10. The lock is located too close to the door frame

• Install a lever door handle with a separate deadlock or a key-in-lock lever action handle on the entry door.

Available from hardware stores or a locksmith. Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

• Use a built-up key holder to assist in putting the key in the lock. This is a key with a moulded or larger handle attached to its base. It gives an easier grip, good leverage and more length to assist in turning the key.

Contact the LifeTec Queensland Inc. for information.

11. The door, the door handle and lock are hard to see

• Paint the door frames a contrasting colour to the walls. Ensure the door handles and locks are a contrasting colour to the door.
• Avoid shiny door and door frame surfaces as this may cause glare. Use matt or low-sheen paint finishes.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure for assistance.

12. The style of door does not allow for easy opening and closing

• Remove or change the style of door.
• Rehang doors so they swing in the opposite direction eg. outwards rather than inwards.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure or a tradesperson for assistance.

• Attach a piece of string/rope around the door handle to pull the door closed.

13. The doors do not stay open

• Place a door-stopper at the bottom of the door.
• Attach a magnetic catch on the door frame.
• Use a door wedge.
• Use a door hook.

These items are available at hardware and discount department stores. Contact your local Home Assist Secure or a tradesperson for assistance.

• Remove the closer on the security screen door. Do not remove the closer from a fire door.

Contact your local Home Assist Secure or a tradesperson for assistance.

Last updated 25 July 2007