Nov 21st 2024 Barrier-free living: Comfort and quality of life for all generations

Barrier-free living means designing living spaces in such a way that they are accessible and usable for all people, regardless of physical limitations or age. Whether in a new build or during modernisation, a well thought-out, barrier-free living concept not only ensures greater comfort, but also safety and independence in everyday life.

A successful barrier-free design takes into account various details that make everyday life easier:

• Stepless entrances: all entrances and transitions should be threshold-free and at ground level to ensure freedom of movement.
• Wide doors and manoeuvring spaces: Doors at least 80 cm wide and generous movement areas in all rooms enable flexible use, including for wheelchair users.
• Accessible controls: Door handles, light switches and similar controls should be positioned at a height of 80 to 110 cm so that they are easy to reach.
• Non-slip floors and clear contrasts: Non-slip, glare-free floors and clear contrasts improve orientation and safety.

Barrier-free adaptations can offer great convenience, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. A wheelchair-accessible washbasin, non-slip tiles, a raised toilet seat and a threshold-free shower area all contribute to independence. The kitchen can also be designed to be barrier-free - for example with wheelchair-accessible work surfaces and easily accessible appliances.

The costs of barrier-free living can be kept within reasonable limits by planning well in advance. Major conversions are often expensive if they have to be carried out retrospectively.

In Austria, there are various subsidies for barrier-free measures. State-related housing subsidies support barrier-free new builds and conversions. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs offers support for individual adaptations to living spaces, while the General Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA) grants subsidies following accidents at work.

Barrier-free living is a forward-looking decision that creates comfort, safety and independence for all generations. Timely planning and possible subsidies can make realisation easier and improve quality of life in the long term.