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Homes designed with visitable features make life
simpler for all ages and abilities.
Visitable housing is the concept of designing and building homes
with a basic level of accessibility. Visitable homes provide independent
access for everyone, including people with limited mobility or those
with disabilities.
A level entrance provides easier access to the home for all ages
and abilities. People who may require the use of mobility aids such
as wheelchairs, walkers or scooters, as well as seniors and families
with small children, can benefit from visitable homes.
Visitable Design Features
A residence incorporating minimum visitable design features would
include:
- One level, no-step entrance — minimum 36 inches (91.4 centimetres)
wide — on an accessible route
- Wider doorways — minimum of 32 inches (81.3 centimetres) clear
passage throughout
- A wheelchair accessible bathroom on the main door
The MHRC is encouraging the use of visitable design, as shown by
several of its recent initiatives. Houses have been built under
the Affordable Housing Initiative’s Infill Housing Program to include
these basic visitable design features. Renovations to MHRC-owned
properties are now incorporating basic visitability at a minimum.
Future new residential construction, funded with public contributions,
will promote the use of visitable design. The MHRC is promoting
quality, affordable housing that includes visitable features and
demonstrates that these housing designs can benefit people of all
ages, including visitors with mobility restrictions.
Other inexpensive visitable design features may be added to improve
the convenience and suitability of a home. These include:
- Reinforced bathroom walls (for the installation of grab bars,
if desired)
- Levered door handles and single-lever kitchen and bathroom
faucets
- Raised electrical outlets — 18 inches (45.7 centimetres) from
the door
- Lowered climate controls
- Lowered light switches — 48 inches (121.9 centimetres) from
the door
Visitable house designs that include a bedroom and a full bathroom
on the main door provide an attractive housing option for a resident
with disabilities.
Homes with visitable features demonstrate the first stage of universal
design. Further adaptations to assist with a disability can be easily
added to a visitable home, if and when the need arises.
For more information on visitability, please contact:
Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation
203 – 280 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0R8
Phone: 945-2663 (in Winnipeg)
Toll-free: 1-866-689-5566
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