Checklist for Blind and Low Vision Home and Apartment Safety 

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This checklist is designed to help individuals who are blind or have low vision ensure their home or apartment is safe, accessible, and comfortable. It covers key areas such as lighting, contrast, organization, and adaptive tools to promote independent living. 

Exterior and Common Areas 

  • Markings and Visibility: Ensure curbs, steps, and glass doors are marked with contrasting colors or tape for easy visibility. 
  • Wheelchair Access: Verify wheelchair ramps have a nonskid surface. 
  • Mailboxes: In apartments, make sure the mailbox area is well-lit, with large, easy-to-read names and numbers. Mark your mailbox with a brightly colored label or dot for easy identification. 
  • Lobbies and Hallways: Check that lighting is uniform, signs are at eye level with large print, and that there are no obstacles in hallways. Emergency exits should be clearly marked. 

Home Interior 

General Tips: 

  • Entrance thresholds should be flush with the floor. 
  • Use contrasting colors for doors, baseboards, and walls. 
  • Maximize natural light with appropriate window treatments. 
  • Lighting and Glare: Ensure lighting is adequate and uniform, minimizing glare from mirrors, floors, or tabletops. Consider using blinds or curtains to control bright sunlight. 

Safety

  • Remove any furniture from the middle of rooms that could be a safety hazard. 
  • Use nonskid mats or rugs in high-traffic areas. 
  • Install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers; know how to use them. 

Organization

  • Designate specific locations for easily misplaced items like keys, remotes, and small devices. 
  • Organize closets and drawers with a system that helps match clothing easily. 

Adaptive Tools: 

  • Use raised or brightly colored markings on thermostats, appliances, and other frequently used items. 
  • Equip the kitchen with adaptive equipment such as large-print measuring cups, tactile timers, and color-contrast cutting boards. 
  • Ensure that bathroom fixtures, handles, and accessories contrast with their surroundings. 

Room-Specific Tips 

Living Room & Bedroom: 

  • Provide adequate task lighting for activities like reading or sewing. 
  • Arrange furniture to avoid creating obstacles. 
  • Apply raised or brightly colored markings on frequently used items. 

Kitchen:

  • Organize cupboards and refrigerators with tactile markings or large-print labels. 
  • Ensure cleaning products are clearly labeled and stored safely. 

Home Office:

  • Set up a filing system with color-coded or large-print labels. 
  • Use adaptive devices like large-print calculators, bold pens, and screen magnification or speech software for computers. 

Bathroom:

  • Ensure the bathroom is well-lit with minimal glare. Use nonskid mats in the tub and on the floor. 
  • Mark hot water settings with tactile or color indicators, and organize pill bottles with large-print or color-coded labels. 

Laundry Room:

  • Use brightly colored or raised markings on the washer and dryer. 
  • Sort clothes with tactile systems and clearly mark detergents and bleaches. 

Dining Area:

  • Maximize contrast in table settings, using placemats, plates, and cups that differ in color from the tablecloth. 
  • Control window glare to ensure comfortable dining. 

Final Tips 

If you encounter items that need attention, visit resources like Lighting and Glare or Redesigning Your Home for further guidance on making your home environment as safe as possible for those with blindness or low vision. 

This comprehensive checklist provides tips for ensuring your apartment or home is both safe and accessible.