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Pocket doors and extra-wide doorways help Melissa Teehan navigate her home.Della Rollins

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In the kitchen, work areas can accommodate a walker. The glossy, white lower cabinets from IKEA are well within reach of both Ms. Teehan and the children, but like so much in the home, they don’t look especially accessible.Della Rollins

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The Teehans took as their guiding priniple a desire to blend functionality with modern design, avoiding an institutional look. “We would be like, ‘How do we make that not look accessible?’ We didn’t want it look like an old-age home,” says Mr. Teehan.Della Rollins

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Melissa Teehan uses an iPad that allows her to control the upstairs lighting and music from the main floor of her home.Della Rollins

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The cutom-designed shower in the master bathroom has push-button controls and a foldable teak bench.Della Rollins

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The master bathroom has bars on the toilet to assist with seating and standing.Della Rollins

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The Teehans’ architect, Toronto-based Altius Architecture Inc., helped source their small white-oak-panelled elevator, vetoing commercial models and those with swing and accordion doors. Their $30,000 lift features a space-savvy, tri-panel door, which slides into a wall in the centre of the home when open.Della Rollins

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The Teehans' initial plans to build their accessible home were put on hold after a Beaches neighbour started a petition to prevent them from tearing down the 1920s two-bedroom cottage on the property.Della Rollins

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The Teehans are first to admit that what makes their home really work are the things most people take for granted: easy access in and out of rooms, having enough space to be in the bathroom at same time and being able to effortlessly turn off your kids’ bedroom lights.Della Rollins

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A elaborate plank pathway allows access to the home by wheelchair.Della Rollins

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A street level view of the new home.Della Rollins

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