The Accessible Condo

In my years in real estate, I’ve worked with a number of seniors looking to move to a newer, easier to manage condo. As buildings age, they need more maintenance and repairs. And as we age, we sometimes need the same!

Newer, modern condos allow us to spend less time fixing things and more time enjoying life. However, another big consideration is accessibility due to health or mobility issues.

Finding a condo that is accessible - not just for seniors but for anyone with physical disabilities - is a challenge. Even though a building might advertise itself as accessible, there are varying levels and definitions of accessibility and some buildings just outright lie.

There is a difference between “wheelchair accessible” and “barrier-free”. Buildings that advertise as “visitable” aren’t necessarily “liveable” if you need mobility devices to move around. “Visitable” simply means you can get a wheelchair through the door and use the washroom. Finding an accessible condo that meets your current or future needs will require some research.

The cost to retrofit an existing unit can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. It is typically far cheaper to build in the accessibility features you need at the pre-construction planning stage.

Some developers have taken notice and are being more proactive in developing accessible condo units. The Daniels Corporation, for example, introduced their Accessibility Designed Program (ADP)a few years ago specifically for buyers with mobility devices.

When assessing the accessibility of a unit, especially if you need, or anticipate needing, a mobility device such as a wheelchair or scooter, consider the following:

• Doorways - the Ontario Building Code (OBC) requires accessible doorways to be at least 34 inches wide.
• Kitchen layout - lower counters and cupboards, under-sink clearance, cooktop clearance and enough space to maneuver around an island.
• Bathroom layout - the OBC only requires a minimum turning radius for a bathroom to be accessible. For those with mobility devices, a roll-in shower without a threshold barrier means you can get in without help. Toilet and grab bars, as well as a handheld shower head, are also important considerations.
• Balcony access - check for a level threshold and a wide door to ensure you can access the balcony.
• Floor coverings - hardwood floors are easier for wheelchairs to get around. However, if you’re at risk of falling, carpeting may be a better option.