Home adaptation for people with disabilities
Staying at home sometimes takes a ramp, wider doors, a step-free bathroom or a door that opens on its own. We adapt the home to the person, taking into account their occupational therapist's recommendations, if there are any.
What usually gets in the way.
Getting in and out of the house
Outdoor steps, a narrow door, a high threshold.
Getting around inside
Door frames too narrow for the wheelchair, cluttered hallways.
The bathroom
A bathtub to step over, a low toilet, no grab bars.
Opening doors on your own
A front door or garage door to motorize, remote controls.
How we remove these obstacles.
Ramps and landings
Outdoor ramp, landing in front of the door, handrails.
Wider doorways
Widened frames and lowered thresholds so the wheelchair can get through.
Accessible bathroom
Curbless shower, grab bars, sink with clear space underneath, toilet at the right height.
Residential door automation
An opener on the front door, with a remote or a push button.
Done by the rules.
- For the Programme d'adaptation de domicile (Société d'habitation du Québec), the person with a disability and the owner register together; an occupational therapist recommends the work and an accredited inspector determines what will be done. REFEXCO prepares the quote the program asks for.
- Don't start the work before you have the program's written approval: several programs refuse work that has already started.
- REFEXCO (RBQ licence: 5683-0334-01) installs the door openers and coordinates the job. The electrical supply is handled by an electrical contractor who is a member of the CMEQ, and the plumbing by a contractor who is a member of the CMMTQ.
Programs that can cover part of the cost.
Status and conditions come from official sites. No amount is guaranteed: the program confirms eligibility.
Open · Businesses located in the Montréal agglomeration (agglomeration by-law RCG 17-011).
Programme d'aide à l'accessibilité des commerces (PAAC) – Subvention pour l'accessibilité universelle aux commerces
City of Montréal (Service du développement économique)
Official source (opens in a new tab)Status to be confirmed · Commercial establishments on Westminster Avenue (zones MA-1, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5, MB-1 and MB-2).
Financial assistance program for the revitalization of commercial facades and signs and the accessibility to businesses for persons with disabilities (accessibility works component)
Town of Montreal West
Official source (opens in a new tab)Open · Tourism establishments anywhere in Québec.
Programme d'accessibilité des établissements touristiques (PAET) 2024-2027
Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, with program management entrusted to Kéroul
Official source (opens in a new tab)Open · All of Québec, except Indian reserves.
Programme d'adaptation de domicile (PAD) – Volet I, Option 1 – Accompagnement professionnel
Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), with partner municipalities and regional county municipalities (MRCs)
Official source (opens in a new tab)Open · All of Québec, except Indian reserves.
Programme d'adaptation de domicile (PAD) – Volet I, Option 2 – Besoins et travaux autodéterminés
Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ)
Official source (opens in a new tab)Open · Targeted areas only: the downtown area and the Cap-de-la-Madeleine area (Schedule I of the by-law).
Programme d'accessibilité universelle des établissements de commerce et de services de Trois-Rivières
City of Trois-Rivières (Direction de l'aménagement et du développement)
Official source (opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Is there financial help to adapt a home for a person with a disability?
In Québec, the Programme d'adaptation de domicile of the Société d'habitation du Québec can fund part of the work, under specific conditions. The federal government also offers a tax credit for certain home renovations. The grants tool shows the verified details.
What work is most common?
A ramp or a landing at the entrance, wider doorways, a curbless shower with grab bars, and an automatic opener on the front door.
Do I need an occupational therapist?
For several programs, yes: the occupational therapist assesses the person's needs and describes the eligible work. We work from their report.
Services that go with it.
Adapt your home without starting from scratch.
Describe the situation or attach the occupational therapist's report. We'll tell you what to do, and in what order.