Adaptability refers to the flexibility of certain building parts to be modified to accommodate the needs of disabled people. Examples include kitchen counters, sink height and grab bars. An adult using an average size wheelchair will need a maneuvering space of 60 inches of clear floor space to make an entire circle. To enter a building, a wheelchair user must have a ramp. The builder must consider the shortest possible route, elevation in the grade of the land, size of landings at top and bottom of the ramp, the necessity for handrails and the use of non-skid materials.
Information also is available about modifying kitchens that everyone in the household can use.
One simple accommodation is to remove the doors of base cabinets and cut out the fronts to accommodate a wheelchair. Heavy pans or canned goods need to be stored on bottom shelves within easy reach. Top shelving made of clear plastic makes it easier for a person in a wheelchair to see what's on the shelf. It's hard to do without bathrooms, and yet many residential bathrooms present a terrible obstacle for wheelchair users. Walls need to be reinforced by a technique called 'blocking' to accommodate the installation of grab bars that can support at least 250 pounds of pressure.