Home Modifications to Support the Visually Impaired and Blind

Creating a safe, functional, and comfortable home for people with visual impairments requires thoughtful planning, and often, when they buy a house, they’ll need to make adjustments before they can move in. These modifications can enhance people’s independence and improve their quality of life. Home adaptations can be grouped into three main categories: modifications for people with low vision, adjustments for the totally blind, and considerations for those with service dogs.

Modifications for People With Low Vision

Improved Lighting

Adding more lighting in certain locations can make it easier for people with low vision to navigate their environment. Consider installing brighter bulbs, adding task lighting in key areas like kitchens and office spaces, and incorporating motion-activated lights for hallways and staircases. You might also add ways to adjust the amount of light to suit the time of day or a specific task. Dimmer switches and adjustable lamps can allow users to control the intensity of light, reducing glare.

High-Contrast Design Elements

Adding visual contrast can make it easier to distinguish objects and spaces. Use contrasting colors for walls and furniture, and apply bright tape to stair edges, countertops, and light switches to help them stand out. Cabinet knobs and appliance controls should also be colored lighter or darker than their surroundings, using paint or stickers to make these elements easier to see.

Labels and Organization

Clear organization can minimize confusion in the home. Use large-print labels, tactile stickers, or Braille markers on pantry items, medication bottles, and remote controls. Place frequently used items in more prominent locations where they’re easier to find. And use drawer dividers, shelving systems, and color-coded storage bins to keep the house organized and accessible.

Magnification Tools and Technology

Equip the home with magnifying glasses, electronic magnifiers, and/or devices with built-in zoom features as needed. Tablets and smartphones with accessibility settings can enlarge text and read it aloud. Screen readers and software applications that convert text to speech can also assist with tasks like browsing the Internet or reading documents.

Modifications for the Totally Blind

Tactile Pathways and Markers

Tactile indicators such as textured mats, raised strips, or grooves can guide blind individuals through the home and help them orient themselves. Place these along hallways and staircases and near doorways to help identify transitions between spaces. Tactile markers can also be added to the control panels of appliances to help blind people use them safely. And Braille signs can be placed on the doors of rooms or storage areas for added clarity.

Auditory Cues

Install devices that provide auditory feedback, such as talking thermostats, clocks, and appliances. Doorbells and alarms with distinct tones or verbal alerts can make it easier to quickly distinguish what needs the resident’s attention. Adding sound-emitting beacons near frequently used locations, like doorways or the refrigerator, can also help blind people navigate their home independently.

Clear and Uncluttered Layouts

A consistent and clutter-free layout of the home reduces the risk of tripping and makes it easier for people to find their way around the space. Avoid moving furniture frequently, and keep walkways clear of obstacles. Use furniture with rounded edges to minimize the risk of injuries, and use non-slip rug pads or double-sided tape to secure area rugs so that they don’t cause people to slip and fall.

Smart Home Integration

Voice-controlled devices such as smart assistants can manage a home’s lighting, adjust the thermostat, and turn appliances on and off, making them much easier to use for people who can’t rely on visual input. Smart door locks and security systems can also be useful additions to a house, providing additional peace of mind by offering audio notifications through connected devices like smartphones, smart speakers, or other voice-enabled systems to announce when a door is locked, unlocked, or opened.

Modifications for Service Dogs

Accessible Entrances and Exits

If someone with a visual impairment has a service dog, the animal will need easy access to the entire property, including the yard. Consider installing automatic doors or handles that can be operated with a lever or pressure plate so the dog can let itself out and back in again. Low-profile thresholds can also make entryways more accessible for dogs.

Dedicated Spaces

Set aside areas for the dog’s bed, food, and supplies, using bins and shelves to keep things like leashes, harnesses, and grooming tools organized and accessible.

Obstacle-Free Navigation

The dog will also need to be able to get around the house safely alongside its owner, so it’s doubly important that obstacles be kept out of walkways and floors be covered with non-slip surfaces.

Clear Signaling

Make sure that the service dog will be able to hear you when you call for it from any part of the house. If this is not the case, add tools to help you signal the dog, like a doorbell with a specific chime that the dog is trained to recognize and a wireless extender or smart home system to activate it with.