Understanding Accessible and Universal Design – Creating a Barrier Free Home
By creating a home environment that removes obstacles, we are better able to maintain our independence. Instead of just accepting loss of ability, maybe a few changes can overcome barriers. This essay is the first in a series of articles to address problems causing stumbling blocks to self-sufficiency and possible solutions to these problems.
Let’s start with the basics: The “in” words are Universal Design. With this in mind, I began my research at The Center for Universal Design in North Carolina. It did not take me long to realize I was oversimplifying the solution. There are two types of housing designs that I will address – Universal Design (UD) and Accessible Design (AD). Their purposes are different.
Universal Design (UD) – The intent of this design is to build environments usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal Design benefits people of all ages and abilities. This concept would be used by someone who wants to build a house that will likely meet their needs for their entire lifetime. People choosing this design do not have disabilities but want features in their house that will work for them during normal aging.
Accessible Design (AD) – People looking for housing features to overcome barriers for specific disabilities need Accessible Design. Accessible Design usually turns out best if a health care professional, such as an occupational therapist, works with the homeowner, the designer, builder, or remodeler to consider the specific needs of the person who will be living in the home.
People looking for architects, designers, or builders with knowledge and experience in Universal Design, or Accessible Design, might want to try contacting their local Center for Independent Living. This is a nationwide network of centers whose job is to be knowledgeable about the professionals and services for people with disabilities in their geographical Region.
Resources:
The Center for Universal Design – This site is a wealth of information. Publications are available that one must read if you are considering ways to allow you more home to:
Home modifications and products for safety and ease of use,
Simple Solutions: Home Automation technology for easy, safe and accessible living
Universal design and accessible housing Resources
Home Modifications and Residential Remodeling Resources
There are catalogs for House Plan UD AD or on the publications list. You can also access a Stock House Plan Catalogue.
Centers for Independent Living – This website will provide a list of Centers for Independent Living (CIL) throughout the country. One of its tasks is to be aware of services for people with disabilities in their territory. Contact Centre are closest to and ask for names of experienced architects or> Builders.
National Association of Home Builders (nahbrc.org) – Another source of professionals to do the changes for accessibility are CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialists) graduates. You are not universal design experts, but they were enough to learn how to make change for people with disabilities interested that she took the CAPS program. For a list of builders or remodelers have the CAPS certification that you see on the website of the National Association of Home Builders Research Center.
This is the first paper presents an independent view to facilitate living environment. Sometimes a few tweaks in a home are all that is necessary so that future articles will be several special features. I will try to rely on individual needs, if you know me, about it in the "suggestion" box on my site. The link is below.
Proposed areas in my series on creating a barrier to be addressed>home:
General Household Modifications
How to Create a Bathroom Free of Barriers
Kitchen Changes that Can Make a Difference
Ideas for the Outside of the House to Overcome Physical Challenges
I am starting out with construction that will create a foundation conducive to independent living. Realizing many people are interest in smaller, less invasive changes, future articles will address products or aids that may help. Suggestions from readers may cause the outline to change.
