Most of the traditional homes and public places where we go about our day to day lives have been designed to accommodate what would be considered an average person. Everything from the height of light switches and counter tops to the size and shape of doorknobs has developed over time as standard practice in the building industry. I have been writing in this column about home modifications when some of these configurations are inconvenient or completely unworkable for people with different abilities and mobility needs. This month I am going to switch gears a little bit and write about designing a home that can be used comfortably by just about everyone. The idea that we can design a home that can be used by children or adults, people with various handicaps, those recovering from illness or injury, people who are smaller or larger than average or those with restricted mobility, is called Universal Design.
Universal Design can be defined as the design of products and environments to be usable to the greatest extent possible by people of all ages and abilities. The idea is to design homes that are universally workable by all people so that modifications will not be needed as you age or through circumstances such as injury or illness. Many of these design elements use standard products or materials. There are many new products coming out almost daily that use technology to help elderly people live more independent lives in their own homes.
There are seven principles of Universal Design. Following these principles when designing a new home or remodeling an existing home will result in the space being more useful and comfortable to a wide range of people. The principles are:
- Equitable Use – The design is useful to people with different abilities.
- Flexibility in Use – The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
- Simple and Intuitive Use – Use of the design is easy to understand.
- Perceptible Information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user.
- Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
- Low Physical Effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
- Size and Space for Approach and Use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use.
All of these principles should apply regardless of a person’s experience, knowledge, sensory abilities, body size, posture, mobility, or other conditions. In short, a house designed using these principles would be “user friendly”.
Some examples of these principles in action would be entryways with no steps and motion sensor lighting, curbless showers, elevated or adjustable height toilets, and grab bars in bathrooms, and varied or adjustable counters, and front mounted controls and knee spaces under cook tops and sinks in kitchens. Using 3’ wide doors and 4’ wide hallways throughout a home costs almost nothing when building a new home but can make all the difference in the world later if you find yourself navigating the home in a wheelchair. Some design elements anticipate future changes. For example, in a two story home, if you stack two closets directly above each other with a removable floor and rough in the wiring it would be very easy to add an elevator later if the need arises. Many of these designs can be integrated very easily into a new home and make your life easier for years to come.
For more information on Universal Design or other housing matters call me at 540-384-2064 or Email cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
