Creating Thoughtfully Designed Spaces: How Organization Enhances Life for Individuals with Disabilities

When I started to set up my mother in laws place, who has physical disabilities due to ALS. I knew that the space needed to give her the same independence without causing much damage, still be visually pleasing and comforting for her. She moved in with us in a hurry after her husband passed and we had two weeks to re paint, remove our furnishings, our items and remodel a bathroom for accessibility quickly. Allowing for her personal items and medical equipment needed, while still making it feel like a safe, accessible, and welcoming home. I made sure she still had her items in place like she would have. That lady knows how to create a comforting space, so our tastes worked swimmingly together. The items being accessible to her was the most important part of it all. It's not easy for someone with a physical disability to just get something that is out of reach. So that was one of my main concerns. I organized zones for her to use in the basement helping her still care for herself as long as she is able to. If we have organized areas that have specific items located in them and remember to place them back there. The mental strain of trying to find an item doesn't need to happen at all. I know it seems like common knowledge but honestly this is something you need to mentally prepare yourself for, when making designated zones. Especially when you have a physical disability. You must stick to the designated places for items and always return what you have used, right back where you got it from.

Neurodivergent like myself may have the problem of losing items repeatedly or forget where you placed something right after putting it down. That's why organization and mentally preparing yourself is crucial. Make a routine and stick with it. Instead of putting something down, if its small place it in your pocket. I don't go anywhere without pockets for this reason, lol. Many people with ADHD are visual learners and the reward system works amazing on them. With my children I place charts they can touch and move when they have completed tasks and offering rewards for chores or cleaning and tidying rooms. Its a team effort to keep the house organized and tidy. So get your family on board or else the mental stress will come back but double.