List of adaptations

• Replacement of deteriorated, leaking or damaged windows.
• Repair or replacement of an existing heating system and replacement or maintenance of a furnace filter.
• Upgrading of an existing plumbing system.
• Replacement or maintenance of any deteriorated, substandard, leaking or inefficient items or systems.
• Installation of a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) for energy efficient purposes.
• Purchase or installation of a portable dehumidifier, humidifier, air conditioner and/or air purifier.
• Purchase or installation of a central humidifier, electronic air cleaner, electrostatic precipitator, ionizer, ozonator or other devices or appliances, whether built-in or freestanding.
• Extensions or conversions for any purpose other than specified, such as recreational space, hobby room, or office space.

List of eligible adaptations Approaching and Entering the Dwelling Getting Around the Dwelling Electrical Systems Plumbing Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) Kitchen Bathroom Other Rooms Extensions and Conversions Multiple Unit Buildings

Approaching and Entering the Dwelling Widening of walkways, addition of slip-resistant surfaces, smoothing out abrupt changes in level with a ramp. Provides safe access to the street, parking, entrances, and other outside areas used for recreation and household chores. Walkways that are made of different textures from the main path of travel improve safety and accessibility. Where ramps are not practical, an elevating device may be considered. Where a choice may be made between a ramp and an elevating device, consideration should be made that the feature may be required in an emergency. Since the design of a ramp depends on the specific needs of the occupant with disabilities, the details should be worked out with a knowledgeable professional and should be in accordance with applicable requirements for accessible design. Construction of a canopy to shelter the entrance; installation of a shelter or canopy for a ramp or elevating device. Widening and paving of a parking space. Where a parking space is used by an occupant with disabilities, the width of the parking space should allow the complete opening of the vehicle door while transferring a mobility device or an occupant with disabilities into and out of the vehicle. Installation of an automatic garage door opener. Controllable from inside the garage as well as the exterior. Installation of a three-way switch to allow the garage or carport light to be controlled from inside or outside the house . Installation of safety devices, such as a carbon monoxide detector connected to an alarm, or an exhaust fan system. Installation of a transfer aid, such as a trapeze hung from the ceiling of a garage or carport, used to transfer an occupant to and from a mobility device. Leveling of an entrance area on either side of an entrance door. Installation of automated window blinds, including a remote control device and related hardware. Modification to doors, doorframes and window frames to ensure they are colour-contrasted to the surrounding wall surface.

Getting Around the Dwelling Modification of entrance hallways, corridors and archways or doorways to improve safety and accessibility. Installation of lever-type door handles. Installation of handrails in corridors. Installation of protective, durable surfacing and corner moldings in high use areas to protect walls and corners from a mobility device. Installation of beveled strips on either side of a threshold to provide accessibility for a mobility device. Installation of colour-contrasted or reflective strips to the front edge of stair nosing. Modification of stairs/landings. This may include widening treads, lowering/adding risers and the installation of a non-slip surface. Installation of interior elevating devices. Construction of interior ramps to overcome small differences in levels. Enclosing of open riser stairs/landings. Installation of handrails/guiding rails. Replacement of unsafe floor coverings.

Electrical Systems Lowering or relocation of light switches. Installation of locator light switches or additional switches. Installation of special lighting for persons with visual impairments, or the addition of lighting in areas including stairs, ramps, doorways, laundry areas and entrances. Installation of a multiple cue fire/gas alarm system, such as a sound, sight and vibration system. Installation of fixed alarms to be used by the occupant, should there be a fall or sudden illness. Installation of electrical outlets that are colour-contrasted with the surrounding wall surface. Raising or relocation of electrical outlets. Wiring and installation of electrical outlets to accommodate special aids and equipment, such as a power outlet suitable for recharging a mobility device battery. Lowering of the main electrical panel or the relocation of the panel to the main floor. Upgrading the existing electrical panel to accommodate increased loads resulting from eligible adaptations.

Plumbing Modification of an existing plumbing system, such as rerouting piping, in order to accommodate eligible adaptations

Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) Lowering of HVAC controls. Installation of HVAC controls that are colour-contrasted to the surrounding surfaces and provide tactile and/or auditory information indicating function and positions of controls. Enclosure or insulation of radiators and other heating pipes or ducts to protect the occupant from burns. Installation of local ventilation, such as a vented exhaust in the kitchen and bathroom. This is only eligible for persons with disabling allergies or environmental hypersensitivities.

Kitchen Modification to the layout of the kitchen to improve safety and accessibility. Installation of accessible switches for exhaust fans, safety mirrors, and heatproof surfaces. Modification to the sink area to provide accessibility with a mobility device. This may include recessing of the sink area, insulation of piping under the sink, and lever-type faucets with thermostatic controls. Provision of space for kitchen appliances such as built-in counter top stoves, ovens and dishwashers. These modifications are eligible only where they directly address the occupant’s permanent disability or diminished ability. Modifications for other appliances are not eligible. Installation of auxiliary shut-off switches (secondary controls) for kitchen appliances. This can allow a caregiver to shut off appliances from a secondary location to prevent unsupervised use. Modification of kitchen counters and cabinets. This may include adjustment to the height of work surfaces and cupboards, installation of cabinet door pulls, the provision of handles and knobs that are colour-contrasted to the cabinets/drawers, and the provision of recessed toe space a the bottom of base cabinets. Counters and cabinets may also be modified to be colour-contrasted to the backsplash. Provision of a frame of colour (approx. 15 cm wide) around the perimeter of the floor to define floor space, such as where the wall/cabinets meet the floor.

Bathroom Installation of grab bars to improve safety and accessibility around the sink, toilet, shower and bathtub. Modification to the sink area to provide accessibility with a mobility device. This may include recessing of the sink area, insulation of piping under the sink, and lever-type faucets with thermostatic controls. Modification to the bathing area to improve safety and accessibility. This may include a wheel-in shower with or without a lift-up seat; a bathtub lift or bathroom chair, whether portable or permanently fixed; lever-type or sensor-controlled faucets for bathtubs with thermostatic controls; a hand-held showerhead with flexible tubing. The provision of a soaker tub or a therapeutic/jet tub may be eligible if deemed necessary to meet the demands of daily living within the home. Lowering or installation of a countertop, vanity, medicine cabinet, or permanently fixed change table. Installation of a raised toilet, bidet or automatic wash toilet-seat add-on. Installation of a colour-contrasted sink, toilet, bidet and bathtub. Provision of a contrasting border around the perimeter of the floor surface to identify where the wall meets the floor. Modification to the layout of a bathroom to improve safety and accessibility. If the modification of a bathroom to meet the occupant’s needs is not possible, it may be necessary to install a new bathroom in a different location.

Other Rooms Modification to the layout of a bedroom to improve safety and accessibility. This may include the addition or modification of closet and storage space, and the addition of accessible closet doors. Installation of grab-bars and vertical poles to improve safety. Modification to the layout of living or dining areas to provide safety and accessibility. Installation of permanently fixed devices such as, but not limited to: lifting devices, overhead transfer tracks, trapeze devices. Modification to the layout of the laundry room to improve safety and accessibility. This may include the installation of items such as an accessible laundry tub, lever-type faucets with thermostatic controls for the laundry tub, a permanently fixed drying rack, and a sorting counter top. If the modification of a laundry room to meet the occupant’s needs is not possible, it may be necessary to relocate the laundry room to a different area.

Extensions and Conversions Construction of additional floor space to provide accessibility for mobility devices. This may include additions to a bedroom, laundry room, bathroom, kitchen, or storage space.

Multiple Unit Buildings Installation of exterior signage with large simple lettering on a high-contrast background, backlit signs, and/or raised print/Braille. Installation of talking signs to give directions in an apartment building. These may be useful in the laundry room, entrance and exit, emergency exits, and elevators. Modification of elevator panels and doorjambs to include signage in raised print/Braille.