Hi Jay, >> > One big thing we need is that the house must be wheelchair/walker friendly. >> >> Hand rails in the hallways, half walls, grab bars in the bathrooms, wider >> doorways, and wheelchair-friendly flooring come to mind, and perhaps a kitchen >> counter without legs at the corners nor drawers or sides to prevent the >> wheelchair from rolling under the counter. Sliding doors are much easier than >> doors on hinges too, and/or automatic door openers. > Thanks. We've thought of the hand rails and grab bars. Wider doorways will > have to be negotiated with the builder. 30" seems standard here, I'd prefer > 36" or more. For one thing we have this big honking hospital bed to move... Hmm. Garage attached to master bedroom, with double doors between them? Maybe the double doors could be hidden behind those wall to ceiling bookshelves another poster mentioned? >> Also, if you have some $26,000 US, consider one of those electric, >> stair-climbing wheelchairs Dean Kamen developed: >> >> > I've been reading reviews on them from the wheelchair crowd, and while they > are nice, they also have some usability problems. I'll have to learn some more. My sister alternates between a wheelchair, walker and hand rails, depending on her condition. I've been hoping this IBot would come down in price some, and I don't know anything about the usability issues. -- Best regards, Patrick Murphy James Valley Colony -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist