I agree but money is an issue. I'm in North Dakota.

Yes. You will need a professional for this. It would be good if the person you hire makes your home compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

There are some Ideabooks on Houzz that describe Universal Design for various rooms.

You may be interested in the following site:
www.universaldesignstyle.com

The Americans with Disabilities Act website has specific dimensions for wheelchair turning radius, angle of ramps, and much more.
Perhaps a contractor in your area has experience with this.

In Grand Forks, there is a company called "Options"...it is a company started by a man named Jay Johnson, who was a paraplegic due to an ATV accident...I am willing to bet they could at least direct you in the right direction....Best of luck!!

Thanks all!

Grand Forks is not that far from my cabin in MN. give me a call we can discuss the project.

I was also thinking, I wonder if social services could make a referral (In face, pretty sure they could when I think of discharge planning we do in healthcare for handicapped individuals), ...there are community organizations that come out and do the work even....

Many architects take on projects as part of their ongoing educational process, part of the maintenance of their license...on a pro bono or lower rate. Contact your local AIA for more information. Interiors International is a straight up architect. He puts in a lot of energy on this web site in just that manner. let him help you! Your local chapter of Habitat for Humanity is a valuable resource. Even if the closest is in St. Paul...

Google "Options"...It is in East Grand Forks, MN but serves areas in ND as well....I just googled it..they make referrals and should know the ropes.

Would you ask your family for help, it's cheap labor, pizza and beer and if the project is made specificity for a handicap u may want his or her input as it progresses, I swam from experience

Greetings once again, crosencrans.
This morning I typed Universal Design and Handicap Access ideas that I have posted and that others have posted on Design Dilemmas such as yours into one document.

Please take from this whatever is helpful. Best wishes.

Houzz
1.) Go to Houzz Ideabooks and enter "Universal Design" in the search box.
2.) Go to Houzz.com/Handicap-accessible
3.) Go to Houzz Design Dilemma and enter "handicapped" in the search box

Universal Design
1.) www.universaldesignstyle.com
2.) www.schaefferconstruction.com specializes in Universal Design

Handicap Access
1.) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) site has specific measurements for wheelchair turning radius, placement of grab bars, everything.
www.ada.gov/adastd94.pdf
www.ada.gov/

2.) ADA Ramps : ADA Code 4.8
[Thanks to Houzz contributor S. Thomas Kutch for finding this.]

Bathrooms
1.) For decorative grab bars that do not look institutional, look at www.faucets.efaucets.com
[Thanks to Houzz contributor Sense of Space for link]

2.) Commercial Bathroom Handicap Guidelines
www.eHow.com# ixzz2Og8QNIff
www.houselogic.com#ixzz2OgAPANpb

3.) Here are some Houzz Ideabooks about Universal Design in bathrooms:
741559 The No-Threshold Shower: Accessibility with Style
1562246 Houzzers Say: Dream Features for the Bath and Closet
1061289 Bathroom Safety Features that Support Your Style
2504909 Doorless Showers Open a World of Possibilities
4492518 How to Design and Accessible Shower
2507115 Houzz Tour: Universal Design in a San Francisco Home
5008400 Make a Powder Room Accessible with Universal Design

Kitchens
1.) America's National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)
2.) www.starcraftcustombuilders.com for Guidelines for rules for accessibility in kitchens and baths
3.) National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Enter "Universal Design" in the search box.
4.) www.ergonomics.about.com/od/kitchen/qt/Galley_design.htm

Try consulting with an Occupational Therapist who specializes in home modifications. They will know the details such as what type of faucet handles to use, the ideal width for doorways, hallways, grab bars and wheelchair radius based on the person who will be living with you. If the person is a veteran you can get grants because of that. I suggest an OT because their medical background will be helpful for long term planning. Someone in a wheelchair because of a SCI would be different from someone in one because of a CVA/stroke or amputation.

Good point, dallasstudent13!