Free planning tool

Home Accessibility Planning Checklist

Use this checklist to notice where everyday life is becoming harder and to prepare clearer questions. It is not a clinical assessment or a construction recommendation.

Before you begin

• Ask the person who lives in the home what feels frustrating, tiring, painful, unsafe, or simply less convenient.
• Notice patterns across a normal week, not only one staged walkthrough.
• Separate urgent risks from future improvements.
• Do not make medical assumptions. Where functional assessment is needed, involve an occupational therapist or other qualified professional.

Entrances and exterior routes

• Are there steps, steep slopes, loose surfaces, or thresholds that are difficult to cross?
• Is there a stable handhold where balance is needed?
• Is lighting adequate from parking or sidewalk to the door?
• Can someone pause safely while unlocking the door?
• Does rain create slippery areas or drainage problems?

Bathrooms

• Is getting into or out of the tub or shower difficult?
• Are there secure, correctly placed supports rather than towel bars being used for balance?
• Is there enough clear space to turn, transfer, or receive assistance?
• Are flooring, lighting, temperature controls, and storage easy to manage?
• Would a renovation need to preserve access to another bathroom during construction?

Doorways and circulation

• Do doors, furniture, corners, or floor transitions restrict movement?
• Are handles easy to operate?
• Is there space to approach doors and change direction?
• Are frequently used routes direct and well lit?

Kitchen and daily routines

• Which items are used daily, and are they within comfortable reach?
• Can work be done seated if needed?
• Are hot items, heavy cookware, and appliances easy to move safely?
• Could better storage or hardware solve the issue without a full renovation?

Bedrooms and living spaces

• Is there clear space beside the bed and along common walking routes?
• Are switches, outlets, controls, and window coverings manageable?
• Is seating supportive and easy to get into and out of?
• Are rugs, cords, or furniture creating avoidable obstacles?

Questions to bring to a future contractor

• What problem is this change intended to solve?
• What structural, code, permit, or weather constraints apply?
• What can be completed now without blocking better options later?
• Should an occupational therapist or other professional inform the scope?
• Who is responsible for permits, subcontractors, insurance, changes, cleanup, and warranty?