I think no matter how old you are, there’s always something to learn. This is never truer than when you move out of home and you’re learning how to “adult” for the first time, as I like to refer to it as. From learning how to operate a washing machine to “how long do I cook this for”, it’s a learning experience.
When you have a physical disability there is that extra element of not just having to organise your home but also the people, like support workers, who come into it. So here are a few of my disability home hacks!
Notes on my phone
Is it really a girl’s phone if it’s not filled with the most random things on the notes apps? While I’m guilty as charged, one thing I absolutely love on my notes app is my freezer list.
Categorised by location (top, middle and bottom drawer) this notes page is a list of what exactly is in my freezer. Meal preparation/cooking in bulk makes dinners easier when it’s just me, but it also means my freezer can be very full and things get forgotten about. By having the list, I’m able to see what I have, and therefore what I need to buy when planning my meals for the week.
Fridge list
Another trick to being organised is having a planner on the fridge. It’s not only helpful for yourself, but as someone who has a team of support workers, it helps them to be organised too.
The planner that I have is a weekly planner, with a to-do-list and notes. Under each day, I’ll make a meal plan so that I know exactly what I’m eating for the week (because having to think about what’s for dinner each night is a pain). For each day, I also list the tasks that my support workers have to complete while on shift. I use the to-do list section as my grocery list so I can write it out throughout the week when I realise I need to get something at the shops. It’s also available to my support workers if they realise I need to get something. Lastly, the notes section is used to let support workers know about upcoming events that may affect them.
A grabber
This is probably my most underrated but most useful hack! Due to the specialist disability accommodation (SDA) model that I live in, I do have a few hours each day where I don’t have a support worker. So this grabber is great at picking things up that I might drop. It’s mostly useful for picking up light things because I don’t have the strength or mobility to pick up anything heavy, but this will depend on your own disability.
Another surprising use this grabber has is helping support workers grab something they dropped behind the washing machine or get to something up high that they can’t reach!
Bonus: Alexa
Special disability home hack mention goes to my Alexa/home automation. I was very lucky that my SDA came with home automation, and it means that I can operate the lights, air conditioning and front door with my voice and/or an app on my phone. My bathroom soap dispenser and bin are also motion activated which I love as well.
So if you’re someone with disability who is looking for some home hacks to make your life easier, definitely try these out for yourself!
Amy Evams
Amy is the brains behind all of Able Foods' social media. She runs her own business, Little Black Dress Digital.
She has also written about moving into her own accessible apartment in Melbourne.
