ACCESSIBLE HOMES

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Plan now for your future by incorporating Universal Design and Aging-In-Place ideas into your home.

TIPS FOR AGING IN PLACE IN YOUR OWN HOME

BY SUSAN BERRY

HOW DOES UNIVERSAL DESIGN HELP PEOPLE AGE IN PLACE IN THEIR OWN HOME? 

At the beginning of the 21st century, those aged 65 or over made up five per cent of the population. Across the globe the number of those aged over 60 will nearly triple by 2050, rising to 2.4 billion, up from 894 million in 2010. Universal Design is the principle of designing spaces for maximum usability for people living with disabilities, of varying size or limited mobility. There are no specific codes for Universal Design. There are suggestions. Universal design is not law, it is a way of viewing how things work in our world. These design principles compensate for a reduced range of motion, reduced sight, reduced sound and reduced strength. Many universal design inventions were originally developed for military use.

Universal design solutions make life easier for people with mobility, agility, balance and coordination differences. Successful universal design creates a barrier-free living environment. Since no two individuals are alike, no code solves every situation. Everyone needs to be their own advocate for their individual abilities and aging in place. Homes must be designed for the individual user's unique capabilities. There is no "one size fits all" solution. Children grow and adults change.

Consider designing your next home with the future in mind. When selecting a designer for a home where you intend to "AgeIn-Place," find one who listens to YOU. There are many CAPS certified designers and builders, but not all of them are looking at the individual's needs. Explore options and solutions. Create a design that gives you maximum ability within the constraints of your budget. Strive for safety. When people feel safe in their home, they gain self-confidence and increase independence.

gain self-confidence and increase independence. Design Smart Solutions, with 30+ years in the architectural design industry, knows that great design solutions are limitless.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND ADA, THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT?

The American Disabilities Act provides legal guidelines for designing public buildings and space that accommodate the disabled. The guidelines are a minimum standard based on the general population.

Universal Design is not law. It is a free-thinking way of creating design solutions to address individual challenges. Universal Design and Ease of Use design decisions can ease the transition as we age or suffer from injuries affecting our mobility. None of us want to admit that someday we will be old and our bodies will not be as quick, our eyes not as focused and our reflexes not as sharp. The home we live in and our reaction to it will change. Our homes will either enhance our ability to live by our own choices or force us to move. By planning ahead during construction, with a few Universal Design tips, we can all extend the time we remain in our own homes.

DOORS, WINDOWS AND HALLWAYS

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BATHROOMS

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FLOORS, STEPS AND STAIRS

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KITCHEN & LAUNDRY

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LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL

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(Reprinted from DisabilitySmartSolutions.com with permission from the author.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Berry of Disability Smart Solutions is an architecture graduate, NCIDQ Nationally Certified Interior Designer, NCBDC Nationally Certified Building Designer, and an International Code Council Certified Accessibility Inspector and Plans Examiner, along with her 30+ years in the Florida construction industry, she knows accessibility. Email: info@DisabilitySmartSolutions.com