Jeremy Vorndran, President, North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA)
The majority of U.S. homes today are designed to work best for the sensory skills, size, and capabilities of an able-bodied, 170-pound, five-foot, nine-inch male.
What if homes were instead designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of age, ability, preference (e.g., right or left-handed) or size? That’s the idea behind universal design.
Understanding home design and remodeling options can be confusing, especially when some terms seem to be used interchangeably. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), aging in place and universal design have overlapping concepts, but each offers a distinct approach to home design.
If homes today are designed for the average, five-foot, nine-inch male, then that is going to limit the ability of others to use those homes efficiently and effectively.
Just 3.5% of all U.S. homes included features such as grab-bars or handrails in the bathroom, extra-wide hallways and doors, and a bedroom on the entry level. Even simple remodeling projects can go a long way toward making a home more accessible to everyone.
Universal design elements can benefit those who want to age in place by improving visibility and functionality, which is why the terms are often used interchangeably. However, universal design is more comprehensive in its approach by ensuring people of all abilities — even young children — are able to access things they may need.
No matter the specific elements incorporated into a newly designed home, the design should be easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Examples of universal design include:
- Providing at least one step-less entrance into the home.
- Designing wider doorways that are easier to navigate (whether for a wheelchair or carting playpens from room to room).
- Using sliding doors or barn doors for closets and/or bathrooms that can remain open without impeding space.
- Incorporating handles that are easy to grip so drawers and doors are easier to open.
- Providing easy-touch rocker or hands-free light switches.
- Installing appliances, such as side-by-side refrigerators with handles running the length of the door, so that people of varying heights can easily access them.
- Incorporating colors that provide a contrast, especially for troublesome areas such as wall corners and countertops.
It is a great time to start looking into universal design, aging in place and similar concepts. To learn more about remodeling or to find a remodeler in your area, contact the NCBIA
For more information on how to find a home, contact the NCBIA. Our not-for-profit association is dedicated to promoting, protecting, strengthening, and informing our local home building markets and those who work within them to ensure we are, independently and collectively are a viable economic engine of growth now and in the future. Please feel free to use the NCBIA as a resource for any need that you may have, involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Chances are we have a dependable and reputable member that can assist you (from Accountants to Window Cleaning).
Visit our website – ncbia.com for a list of our members, past articles such as this, and be sure to visit our Virtual Parade of Homes. Or give us a call Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 440-934-1090.
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