Our Accessible Bathroom Renovation: Creating More Independence at Home
by Jessica Grono
When people think about home renovations, they often picture beautiful tile, stylish vanities, or trendy paint colors.
When I think about a renovation, I think about independence.
Living with athetoid and spastic cerebral palsy means accessibility isn’t a luxury—it’s something that allows me to live more independently every single day.
Several years before my son Jason was born, my husband and I completed a major home renovation. While we gained much-needed space, the process wasn’t easy. We dealt with contractor issues and plenty of unexpected challenges. Even so, we learned that designing a home around accessibility is always worth the effort.
A few years later, our bathroom developed mold, forcing us to renovate again. Instead of simply replacing what was there, I saw an opportunity to make the space work better for me.
Because I’m often on the floor at home, we had previously installed a lower sink so I could use it independently. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but over the years we realized it actually reduced the amount of open space in the bathroom. I often had to change clothes in the hallway because there simply wasn’t enough room.
This time, I wanted something different.
My goals were simple:
- More open space
- A zero-entry shower
- Better accessibility
- Greater independence
After asking for recommendations through Facebook, we found someone who understood our vision and gave us a reasonable estimate. Originally, we were told the project would take about three days. Having lived through renovations before, I quietly laughed and added a couple of weeks in my mind.
I was right.
Since we only have one bathroom, those three days turned into nearly three weeks. Like many renovations, unexpected problems appeared once the walls came down. Fortunately, the contractor cared about doing the job correctly rather than simply finishing quickly.
Sometimes quality takes time.
During those weeks, our family became creative. Thankfully, we’re members of the YMCA, where I was able to use their large zero-entry shower. My husband and our children were patient, flexible, and understanding throughout the entire process. Looking back, they handled the inconvenience even better than I did.
When the renovation was finally complete, it was everything I had hoped for.
The zero-entry shower made entering much easier. The open floor space gave me room to change comfortably inside the bathroom instead of the hallway. Even the improved water pressure felt like a luxury.
Those changes may seem small to someone else, but to me they represented freedom.
Accessibility is about much more than ramps and grab bars. It’s about designing spaces that allow people to live with dignity, safety, and as much independence as possible.
As technology continues to improve, I find myself dreaming about what accessible homes could look like in the future. I’d love a platform that could safely raise and lower me onto and off the toilet, making transfers easier and reducing the physical strain on both me and my caregivers. I’d also love a shower I could start with my voice that automatically adjusted to the perfect temperature before I even entered. Innovations like these could make everyday life easier for so many people with disabilities.
Accessibility shouldn’t stop with today’s technology. There is always room for innovation that helps people live more independently.
What We Learned
If you’re planning an accessible renovation, here are a few things I’d recommend:
- Plan for projects to take longer than expected.
- Hire someone who listens to your accessibility needs.
- Think about how your needs may change in the future, not just today.
- Prioritize function over appearance whenever possible.
- Remember that every improvement can increase both independence and quality of life.
I often tell people that accessibility isn’t about special treatment.
It’s about having the opportunity to live in your own home with as much independence, comfort, and dignity as possible.
Our bathroom renovation didn’t just improve our house.
It improved my everyday life.
And to me, that’s priceless.
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