Solutions For...
- Hospitality/Lodging Industry
- Homeowners
- Multi-Family Housing
- Educational Facilities
- Architects/Designers
- Retail Industry
- Hospital/Health Care Facilities
- Theaters/Performance Venues
- Restaurant/Food Service Facilities
- Facilities/Building Managers
- Attorneys
Solutions for Homeowners
Click here to see a Special Residential Design Issue of Universal Design Newsletter -- it is full of design tips and ideas.
Click here to see a video of a universally designed kitchen.
Download the Do*Able Renewable Home, a booklet packed with ideas on how to make your home safe and comfortable for everyone. (click here)
It is easy to add amenities to your home that will keep you comfortable and safe for years to come
Adding household conveniences and amenities that you will enjoy today can make it easier for you to stay in your home for years to come.
Home improvements can add comfort and safety to your daily life and allow your home to continue to be the gathering place of choice for family events… Aunt Betty using her walker after her hip surgery and young Billy on crutches from his sports-related ankle injury…will be able to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving without worrying if they can negotiate the bathroom on their own…. Even parents will appreciate your foresight as they roll that sleeping grandchild in the stroller through the house.
Conveniences and amenities that will keep your house working for you…
| Amenity | Benefits for you… | Benefits for your family and friends… |
|---|---|---|
| A roomy bathroom with a well-placed toilet at a height that can accommodate the old and the young as well as a vanity and/or a sink at a convenient height with clear floor space underneath and decorative grab bars. | You will enjoy a spacious and efficiently designed bathroom especially when you recover your balance on the grab bar late at night. | They will be able to maneuver in the bathroom on their own and have space for a mobility device or a helper or a couple of unruly kids… |
| Curbless shower with a drop down seat and a hand held shower on a hose. | Room for two… A place to sit and shave… No chance of stubbing a toe on the way in or out… |
Efficiently bathing more than one child at a time… A person who uses a wheel chair can roll in and transfer to the shower seat alone or with enough room for help… A person with a cast on his or her leg can prop it up while seated and keep it dry while showering… |
| One no step entrance into the house | Luggage, furniture and appliances are easily moved or rolled in or out. Following knee surgery you could enter and exit the house without fear of falling off your crutches. |
A person pushing a stroller, or using a wheelchair or walkers can manage independently. Caring for a family member who has been released from the hospital but not quite ready to be on his or her own would be easier. |
| Wider doorways with low thresholds | Sense of spaciousness… Ease of moving furniture in or out… Luggage is easily rolled through to its destination… |
Reduced chance of tripping… Wheelchairs, strollers, walkers can move freely… |
| Light switches and environmental controls at a comfortable height for people who are standing or sitting. | Easier to reach the settings | Easier to reach for kids who want to turn off and on the lights. |
| Kitchen counters, cabinets and appliances at various heights. | Appropriate height can make it easier on your back. | A great aunt that can’t stand for long periods could still help cook if the counters and appliances are useable by someone who is seated. Small children can participate in meal preparation because they can reach the tasks. |
Family and friends will enjoy and be able to participate in gatherings and events at your house… You or a family member can recover from a health issue in the comfort of your home rather than the hospital or a nursing home because of amenities like those listed above.
If you’ve ever seen family members or friends, “age out” of their houses you know what happens when a house can’t support the needs of its occupants. It doesn’t have to be that way. These changes will put you in control of your home and allow YOU to enjoy living there.
With our custom Residential Design Services we can help you plan ahead. We can design improvements to your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, entrance/foyer, home office, great room, deck… any room or all rooms in your single family home, condo, or apartment.
We can also help you find appliances, hardware, fixtures, and accessories for your home that will blend with your home’s décor and make everyday tasks easier and safer.
We are happy to work with your architect or builder, or we can provide full architectural services for your project. Contact us to discuss your ideas—large or small.
AARP Policy Statement supporting Visitability "Increasing Home Access: Designing for Visitability"
http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/accessibility/inb163_access.html
Find out how Universal Designers & Consultants Inc. can help you.