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Every child deserves to feel safe and included at home and in public spaces. That’s why, kids with additional physical needs often face barriers inside and outside their homes due to a lack of accessibility features. By integrating safety features like grab rails, it ensures that everyone is safe and included regardless of their physical limitations.
Importance of Safety and Inclusion for Kids
Understanding physical limitations should apply to all ages, including children. These movement disorders look different for every child and also have different causes. Common mobility-limiting illnesses among kids include:
- Dystonia (where a child has faulty brain signals, resulting in abnormal muscle contractions)
- Chorea (when a child has irregular and flowing movements, making walking difficult. Due to this, the child may often stumble and fall)
- Myoclonus (a movement disorder that presents itself with involuntary and sudden muscle jerking that cannot be suppressed)
While the list above does not contain all of the common mobility illnesses in kids, they all result in similar effects, which are falling and losing balance. So, integrating safety features would greatly impact their quality of life.
That said, grab rails serve as additional protection from falling so kids can maintain their balance when they lose balance. With these accessible designs, it helps enhance their confidence and independence. In this way, kids are capable of getting from one place to another without compromising their safety.
Role of Grab Rails in Promoting Safety and Mobility
Safety rails prevent accidents and injuries for children with mobility disorders. A study from the CDC in 2022 shows that children with special needs and disabilities or mental health issues are more likely to be hospitalised due to physical injuries.
That’s why, adding handrails to common areas in the home and other public spaces, such as play areas, enhances their stability and confidence. Additionally, bathroom safety features like towel rails can be used for double storage and stability addition.
Safety Inclusion Beyond Home
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1992 in Australia makes it illegal for individuals to discriminate against people with disabilities in multiple aspects. This includes employment, education, and accessing public spaces.
This means that schools must accommodate the needs of students with special needs and make the necessary and reasonable adjustments. This law emphasises their right to comparable access to services and facilities in the learning institution.
That said, adding assistive handrails to schools, restrooms, playgrounds, and other recreational areas ensures that all kids have access to the same facilities.
Benefits of Inclusive Designs for Families and Communities
Inclusion alone offers society with multiple advantages. By promoting this, kids learn to accept at a young age. In fact, it lets them recognise differences and embrace uniqueness and individuality.
That said, incorporating these rails offers benefits not only for the patients in need. These safety features make caregiving easier and reduce stress. Moreover, they help foster social inclusion and interaction, and create a space where kids with and without disabilities can play and learn together.
Tips for Adding Safety and Inclusion Features at Home and Beyond
Several factors should be considered when making your child's home more inclusive and accessible. First, what are the limitations, and how could you ease this by adding accessibility features to the home? Well, rails are a good start, and choosing the right one is critical.
Speaking of that, your rails should be made from durable materials, have an accessible design, and be placed in an ideal position. Fortunately, accessibility companies make different designs and types to fit your needs.
Additionally, you can modify these modular rails to suit your home and make it easier for your child to move around. These rails come in different forms, finishes, and sizes to make them the best ones for your little one.
Promote Accessibility and Inclusivity with Equipsy
Grab rails help promote safety and inclusivity for kids with special needs at home and in public areas. These features help foster independence without risking their safety. In today’s society, inclusivity continues to rise in awareness as people make it a point to make everyone feel included.
Fortunately, Equipsy is here to help. We are a family-owned and operated business that makes every home safer for those with disabilities and the elderly. With over twenty-five years of industry experience, we continue to develop our expertise in creating tailored solutions to enhance home accessibility.
For more information, you can visit our website today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you want to make your home more accessible to children with special needs, here are a few commonly asked questions you might have.
Why are grab railsimportant?
Grab rails provide additional grip and support, especially for those with mobility issues. They can aid individuals who lose their balance and prevent falling and injuries.
Where should shower grab rails be placed?
There are different ideal spots for shower rails, depending on individual needs and space availability. However, a few key placements include near the shower door jamb, the wall perpendicular to the shower, and near the faucet handles.