Glow and Flow: Easy Accessibility Tweaks Around the House

Your home is supposed to be your safe space, your sanctuary—the place where you can breathe and relax at the end of a tough day. However, living with progressive sight loss can mean that even your own home can feel like a minefield. What was fine weeks—or even days—ago no longer is.

Even small changes can make a huge difference. From basic swaps, like changing your dinner plates from white to grey so you can see what’s left on your plate, or swapping plugs and cables to black so they’re easier to spot, to larger modifications, like painting doors grey to make them stand out against the wall or adding hooks to hang items such as your white cane or lanyard for quick access. These little adjustments all add up, creating a space that’s much easier to navigate. It’s not about ripping your house back to bare bones—it’s about noticing the small obstacles that trip you up daily and finding creative workarounds.

I’ve also started labelling things far more than before—switches, appliances, drawers—so I can locate them by touch rather than sight. Tools like RNIB's Tacti Mark, bump dots, or even neon tape make it easy to mark essential items and pathways. It’s a bit like Hansel and Gretel leaving breadcrumbs, but instead of finding your way home, these markers guide you through your home. The extra effort is more than worth it for the sense of freedom and confidence it brings in navigating a space that many take for granted.

Subtle lighting and tech can add another layer of safety and independence. Motion-sensor lights in hallways, under cabinets, or along staircases can prevent trips, while smart plugs or voice-activated lights make everyday tasks easier. Fun tools like glow sticks or light-up bracelets can also serve a practical purpose in low-light spaces, providing quick visual cues while adding a touch of playfulness.

The beauty of a DIY solution is that it’s fully customizable. Your modifications reflect how you interact with your home, what’s important to you, and what makes you feel safe. Over time, each adjustment—no matter how small it may seem—adds up, transforming a former minefield into the sanctuary it was always meant to be. Accessibility doesn’t need to feel clinical—it can be one-of-a-kind, custom, and even inexpensive solutions.

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