Sorry, but this article rubbed me the wrong way. Mainly, it is written as though the buyer of these items is not the person with a disability(and never would be because if we have a disability, we obviously can’t purchase things ourselves with our own money…). Also, the fact that you assume(by your writing) that a person with a disability needs a caregiver is annoying. You went nowhere beyond the most basic items and this article could have been SO much better.

I’m currently a graduate student at a large public university and have lived independently for the last 5 years. Here are some tips that expand upon your basics and go beyond them:

The Ramp: if you are in a wheelchair or have difficulty managing steps, you still need to be able to access your residence. If you can, have the front door built without steps, level with the floor/ground, and with a low threshold(I’m pretty sure there is a Universal Design standard for threshold height). If a high door step is already installed or there are steps then a ramp might need to be constructed. This isn’t hard to do. The ramp should be wide enough for your chair, sturdy, and easy to push up/go down. If possible, the ramp should flatten at the door. Trust me, it’s a lot easier to open a door if you aren’t worried about rolling back down hill!

Desks: What you need in a desk all depends upon your own situation. For example, I need a desk that is high enough and open enough for my wheelchair to fit underneath. Some other things to consider are your balance level and strength. If your balance(like mine) is poor, you will want a desk that is sturdy and harder to move(you don’t want the desk moving on you while you are putting weight on it and you lose your balance). However, if you want a desk that is more maneuverable, many desks have rolling options available that allow the desk to be moved more easily. One good way to determine what desk works for you is to go your nearest office supply store(Staples, OfficeMax, etc.) and just try some out and see what does and doesn’t work. Many of these stores have versions of their desks out in store.

The Chair: Whatever type of wheelchair you get, make sure it is well fitted for YOU! An ill-fitting chair can not only be uncomfortable but is also less efficient and can lead to more wear on your body. Go with a name brand and reliable dealer. While the chair will be expensive, you certainly get what you pay for!

A few extra tips:
Hard(hardwood, tile, linoleum, etc.) floors work great and are much easier to push on than carpet.

Tables(kitchen, dining room) should be high enought and wide enough to comfortably fit your chair underneath. I’ve found that, for whatever reason, square or rectangular tables work better than round ones.

Your bed should shorter (height wise) because it is, generally, easier to transfer to objects closer to the height of your chair. If you want, you can get a bed that is level with your chair height and just slide across to your bed!

I didn’t do the chair lift because I have very little experience with them.

This blog, unless I missed something, is generally aimed at individuals with disabilities. Keep that in mind when writing in the future.