Living with a disability doesn’t mean you have to give up the dream of owning a home! Discover which accessibility features to look for, plus your rights under the ADA.
Homeownership is about independence, comfort, and creating a space that truly works for you. With the right features and resources, an accessible home can provide the safety, confidence, and freedom every homeowner deserves.
Whether you’re buying a home for yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply planning for the future; understanding accessible home features and knowing the difference between the ADA and the FHA can help you make the right decisions for your needs.
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What Is an “Accessible Home”?
An “accessible” home is one that has been designed or modified to make daily living easier for people with a wide range of mobility, sensory, or physical needs. Many accessibility features also benefit older adults, young families, and anyone planning to “age in place”. While not every accessible home is fully ADA compliant, many include practical design elements that improve safety, comfort, and independence!
What to Look for When Buying an Accessible Home
1. Single-Story Living
Homes with all essential living spaces on one floor eliminate the need to navigate stairs, reducing fall risks. Even if stairs aren't a concern today, single-story living can make a home more practical for you later in life.
If one-story homes aren’t an option for you, try looking for homes with:
The primary bedroom on the first floor
At least one full bathroom on the first level
A first-floor laundry room
The kitchen on the first level
2. Wide Doorways & Hallways
Extra-wide hallways and doorways provide additional space for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and even furniture. Generally, wider openings make navigating a home easier for everyone (not just those with mobility needs) and so are becoming more popular in newly built homes.
3. Step-Free Entrances
One of the most valuable accessibility features is a “no-step” entrance, meaning you are not required to walk up or down any sort of steps to get through the front door. These features greatly reduce potential tripping hazards!
Some anti-trip home safety features to look for:
A flat & level front entry
Ramps or gently sloped walkways that fully reach the front door
Minimal transitional thresholds in outer doorways
Smooth transitions between rooms
4. Accessible Kitchens & Bathrooms
The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most frequently used rooms in a home, making intentional design choices especially important. While many buyers tend to look for upgrades that are attractive or modern, there are a few specific features that should be priority when considering accessible homes.
Accessible kitchens include features such as:
Lower countertop heights
Pull-out shelves
Easy-to-reach or open storage cabinets
Lever-style faucets
Open spaces for easy turning of wheelchairs & other walking tools
Accessible features in bathrooms include:
Walk-in tubs or “curb-less” showers
Showers & tubs with bench-seats
Adequate “grab” bars (or reinforced walls for their future installation)
Comfort-height toilets (this will depend on your height, but you don’t want a toilet to be too low that’s harder to sit down on)
Non-slip or textured flooring
Open space for easy turning of wheelchairs & other walking tools
Lever-style or easy-turn faucets
5. Smart-Home Technology
While many are still wary of smart homes, there is no denying it: technology has made accessible living easier than ever. These features are a huge help in maintaining your independence, not to mention they can be incredibly convenient! Of course, you should always have a back-up plan in case these devices fail.
A few key smart-home features that increase accessibility are:
Voice-controlled or remote-operated lighting & fans
Smart thermostats
Video doorbells & security cameras
Smart locks
Automated blinds
6. “Future-Proofing” Your Home
Even if accessibility isn't currently your priority, choosing a home with accessible features (or the potential to add them later on) now can be a huge help later, especially if you’re looking for your “forever home”. Planning ahead helps ensure your home can continue to meet your needs, even as they change.
Homes that allow “aging in place” often include:
Minimal or no stairs
Open floor plans
Wider hallways & doorways
Plenty of natural lighting
Bathrooms with reinforced walls for future grab bars & non-slip floors
First-floor living spaces
Accessible Features in New Construction Homes
Some newly built homes may offer “accessible” floor plans or universal design upgrades intended to enhance independent living.
Some of these accessible upgrades look like:
Wider hallways or doorframes
Curbless showers
Non-slip floorings
Lever-style door handles
Open layouts
Main-floor living
If finding an accessible home is important to you, be sure to discuss your needs with your REALTOR®!
The Fair Housing Act vs. the Americans with Disabilities Act
One of the biggest misconceptions in residential real estate is that every home must comply with ADA and FHA rules when in reality, the two serve very different purposes.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits housing discrimination based on certain characteristics. This law applies to many aspects of housing, including buying, renting, financing, and even advertising.
FHA Protected elements include:
Race
Color
Religion
Sex
Nationality
Familial status
Disability
For people with disabilities, the Fair Housing Act protects the right to request reasonable accommodations and, in many situations, reasonable modifications that allow them to fully use and enjoy their home.
Accommodation modifications may include:
Reserved or “handicapped” parking
Service animals despite pet restrictions
Permission to install certain accessibility features
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act is another federal law, but it applies to public accommodations, like commercial buildings, government facilities, and common areas in multi-family housing—not privately owned single-family homes.
So, if you're buying a single-family home, the property is not usually required to meet ADA accessibility standards. However, many builders and home-sellers choose to incorporate accessible or universal design features because they improve comfort, safety, and long-term livability.
Resources for Homebuyers & Renters
If you're looking for accessible housing or have questions about your housing rights, these organizations offer valuable information on your rights as a homebuyer, current accessibility standards, and available assistance programs.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Fair housing rights & accessibility guidance
U.S. Department of Justice — Americans with Disabilities Act resources
Fair housing organizations — Greater Houston Area
Housing agencies — Harris County, TX
Disability advocacy organizations — Houston, TX
Every buyer's definition of the "perfect home" is different. For some, accessibility is essential for independent living now. For others, it's an investment in comfort and independence for the future. Whether you're looking for single-story homes, accessible design features, or even multi-generational living, working with a knowledgeable real estate professional can help you identify homes with the features that matter most to you.
Ready to start your journey to independent living? Contact us today and let us help you find a home that works for you today and for years to come.
Alexis Feezel is a results-oriented Marketing Coordinator responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all promotional strategies and activities to effectively market clients & listings and maximize sales.