Nevada’s diverse climate and active communities make it a popular place to call home. For those who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility, designing a wheelchair-accessible manufactured home is vital to ensuring safety, comfort, and independence. Whether you’re planning for aging in place or simply want a barrier-free environment, the principles of universal design can help create a functional and inviting living space.

By Mohave Homes


At Mohave Homes, we specialize in helping Nevadans find or build handicap-accessible manufactured homes that fit their unique needs and lifestyles. In this guide, we’ll explore essential features, considerations, and best practices for designing a wheelchair-accessible layout—from wide doorways to accessible bathrooms and kitchens. By focusing on both aesthetics and functionality, you can enjoy a home that not only meets your current requirements but also adapts to your future needs.


1. Understanding Universal Design in Manufactured Homes

Universal design is an approach that aims to make living spaces accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or mobility level. By integrating universal design elements into your manufactured home, you’ll create a comfortable, barrier-free environment.

Key Principles of Universal Design

  1. Equitable Use: Ensures the home is equally usable by all residents.
  2. Flexibility in Use: Accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
  3. Simple and Intuitive: Features are easy to understand, regardless of experience or skill.
  4. Low Physical Effort: Minimizes strain and fatigue for daily tasks.
  5. Size and Space: Adequately sized rooms for easy maneuverability, especially for wheelchair users.

Read more about Universal Design in Manufactured Homes for additional customization ideas.


2. Incorporating Aging in Place with Manufactured Housing

Aging in place refers to remaining in your home as you get older, rather than moving to assisted living or nursing facilities. In Nevada, many homeowners prefer to age in place due to the state’s warm climate and amenities.

Benefits of Aging in Place

  • Familiar Environment: Maintain comfort and independence in a home you know and love.
  • Cost-Effective: Avoid the high expenses of long-term care facilities.
  • Social Ties: Stay close to friends, family, and community resources.

Key Aging-in-Place Features

  • Single-Level Living: Eliminates the need to navigate stairs.
  • Wider Doors and Hallways: Accommodates wheelchairs or walkers.
  • Grab Bars and Handrails: Enhances safety in high-risk areas like bathrooms.
  • Non-Slip Flooring: Reduces fall risks, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.

3. Essential Accessible Home Features for Wheelchair Users

Designing wheelchair-accessible manufactured homes in Nevada requires specific features to ensure you can move around effortlessly, complete everyday tasks, and remain safe.

1. Exterior Accessibility

  • Ramps or Zero-Step Entries: Replace stairs with gentle ramps or zero-step thresholds to enter and exit easily.
  • Covered Entries: Shield doorways from rain or intense sunlight, ensuring safer entry and exit in all weather conditions.
  • Wider Driveways and Parking Spaces: Provide ample space for wheelchair-accessible vehicles or lifts.

2. Interior Doorways and Hallways

  • Wider Doorways: Aim for at least 32 to 36 inches of clear width.
  • Lever Handles: Easier to operate than traditional doorknobs, especially for those with limited hand strength.
  • Spacious Hallways: 36 to 48 inches wide allows for a wheelchair to turn or pass comfortably.

3. Floor Plan Layout

  • Open Concept Living Areas: Minimizes barriers and creates room for maneuvering a wheelchair.
  • Single-Level Floor Plan: Eliminates the need for stairs or multiple levels.
  • Adequate Turning Space: Ensures a turning radius of at least 5 feet in rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

4. Accessible Kitchen

  • Lower Countertops: Place counters and work surfaces at a height comfortable for wheelchair users, often around 30-34 inches.
  • Open-Under Sinks: Allows wheelchair users to move closer to the sink without obstruction.
  • Easy-to-Reach Storage: Pull-out shelves, roll-out trays, and lazy susans prevent overreaching or bending.

5. Wheelchair-Friendly Bathrooms

  • Walk-In or Roll-In Showers: Curbless entries let wheelchair users enter safely.
  • Grab Bars: Strategically placed around toilets and showers for stability.
  • Floating Vanities: Provide knee space underneath, allowing a wheelchair user to comfortably access the sink.

4. Adapting to Nevada’s Climate

While accessibility is the priority, Nevada’s desert climate also influences home design. High temperatures, low humidity, and potential dust storms require certain modifications for optimal comfort.

Climate Considerations

  • Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems: Keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter without excessive energy usage.
  • Insulation and Sealing: Enhances comfort and reduces utility bills by maintaining steady indoor temperatures.
  • Dust Management: Installing high-quality air filters and properly sealed windows can minimize dust ingress, aiding those with respiratory sensitivities.

(Discover how to improve comfort further with Energy Efficiency in Manufactured Homes.)


5. Customizing Your Home for Mobility

Whether you’re ordering a new manufactured home or retrofitting an existing one, customization is key to creating a wheelchair-accessible environment. Builders like Mohave Homes offer various customization options.

Retrofit vs. New Construction

  • Retrofit: Ideal for homeowners who already have a manufactured home. Upgrades could include widening doorways, installing ramps, or overhauling bathrooms.
  • New Construction: More freedom to incorporate universal design from the start. You can ensure every feature is tailored to your accessibility requirements.

Working with Experienced Builders

Mohave Homes has extensive experience in designing and building handicap-accessible manufactured homes. Our team understands both universal design principles and Nevada’s building requirements, ensuring your new home meets safety standards and local regulations.


6. Financing and Assistance Programs

Upgrading or purchasing a wheelchair-accessible manufactured home can be expensive, but various financing and assistance programs exist to help offset costs.

Potential Funding Sources

  • FHA Loans: The Federal Housing Administration offers loans for manufactured homes, including specialized programs for accessibility.
  • VA Loans: Veterans Affairs loans support eligible veterans in securing accessible housing.
  • Grants and State Programs: Explore options like the Nevada Housing Division or local nonprofits that offer grants or low-interest loans for accessibility improvements.

(Learn more about Financing Options for Manufactured Homes.)


7. Maintenance Tips for Accessible Features

Once your accessible home features are in place, ongoing maintenance ensures they function properly and remain safe.

  • Regularly Inspect Ramps and Grab Bars: Check for loose bolts or signs of wear.
  • Clean Non-Slip Surfaces: Maintain traction by removing dirt and debris from floors, walkways, and showers.
  • Service Door Handles and Locks: Keep them lubricated and verify they operate smoothly.
  • HVAC Filters and Ducts: Replace filters frequently, especially in dusty climates, to ensure good air quality for individuals with respiratory challenges.

Conclusion

Wheelchair-accessible manufactured homes in Nevada can offer independence, comfort, and peace of mind to those with mobility challenges. By implementing universal design principles, focusing on aging in place, and customizing key features like kitchens, bathrooms, and entrances, you’ll create a home that supports you now and adapts to future needs.

At Mohave Homes, we’re proud to help Nevada residents achieve a safe, functional, and beautiful living space tailored to their abilities. Our expertise in handicap-accessible manufactured homes allows us to guide you through the entire process—from initial design ideas to final inspections.

Ready to design your perfect wheelchair-accessible manufactured home in Nevada? Contact Mohave Homes today for expert assistance and personalized solutions.


Contact Mohave Homes

Mohave Homes, Inc.
4311 Highway 68
Golden Valley, Arizona 86413

Visit our Contact Us page to schedule a consultation or request more information.


Additional Resources


Mohave Homes—Your partner in creating handicap-accessible manufactured homes that combine comfort, functionality, and style in Nevada.

Interested in creating a wheelchair-accessible manufactured home in Nevada? Contact Mohave Homes today for guidance on universal design, aging in place solutions, and personalized floor plans that suit your mobility needs.

Modern kitchen in a Mohave Homes property featuring dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a central island with a large bowl. The space is brightened by potted plants on the tiled floor and accented by a striped rug, adding charm to this abode.
Modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets, a curved marble countertop, four bar stools, pendant lights, and stainless steel appliances in an affordable manufactured home by Mohave Homes.

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