Universal design is a spectrum of construction ideas and methods which seek to develop buildings and homes which are easily accessible for people with and without disabilities.  Universal design, at its most basic level, incorporates design and products that are usable by all people without the need for adaptation or customization. 

Ron Mace is considered the father of universal design.  He helped develop the country's first accessible-building code that was adopted by the state of North Carolina in 1973 and served as a model for similar action in other states.  His work contributed to federal legislation forbidding discrimination against people with physical impairments known as the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.  He created the Center for Accessible Housing at North Carolina State University in 1989, the forerunner of The Center for Universal Design.  Clearly, universal design has been on the landscape now for better than twenty years, yet its acceptance is only beginning to resonate with consumers and building professionals.

In a 1988 speech, Mace noted, “We all become disabled as we age and lose ability, whether we want to admit it or not.”  While everyone benefits from the elements of universal design, those with health conditions that can change with age are the ones who stand to gain the most from it. 

Most homes are not designed to meet the needs of an aging population and even the most patient among us are frustrated by the lack of accommodation that today’s typical home affords.  When implemented properly, universal design elements are virtually invisible and contribute to the overall market appeal of a home.

The professionals in the building community, whether they are new home construction specialists or renovation experts, are tasked with great responsibility to accept the lead role in the education of both consumers and their communities at large.  Green technology has been the rage and a constant buzzword in the industry for most of the past decade, although the most recent recession put a significant damper on the use of green products and technologies in the residential sector.  At the end of the day, however, green remains unaffordable to most consumers.  Its widespread acceptance will most certainly be delayed until such time that it becomes affordable and more mainstream in distribution channels. 

Universal design, on the other hand, can be extremely affordable.  There are a myriad of simple and economical solutions that even most competent do-it-yourselfers can accomplish around the house.  Replacing twisting door handles with lever-style hardware is one such example.  This allows those with diminished gripping abilities to manage the environment more easily.  A more sophisticated example might be the installation of grab bars at strategic locations around the house, especially in bathrooms.  A word of caution, however: unless grab bars are installed according specifically to the manufacturer’s instructions, which means either in solid blocking installed behind the wall surface or approved anchors, it can be a recipe for absolute disaster.  Accidental falls in the home are potentially devastating, but that’s a subject for another day’s conversation.

It is incumbent on building professionals, including the design community, to educate people about universal design and enlighten them about the possibilities that exist.  As the aging in place market matures and grows, consumers will come to realize that they will not need to leave their homes because the home no longer accommodates their activities of daily living, or ADL’s.  That remains the number one reason why people do, in fact, leave their home and the years of memories that are contained within them.  There are seven universal design principles as defined by Ron Mace and they all speak to ease and simplicity of use by the occupant. 

They are as follows:

One:  Equitable Use (design is useful to people with diverse abilities)
Two:  Flexibility in Use (design accommodates a wide variety of abilities)
Three:Simple and Intuitive Use (use of the design is easy to understand)
Four: Perceptible Information (design communicates pertinent information effectively)
Five: Tolerance for Error (design minimizes accidental or unintended actions)
Six:  Low Physical Effort (design is used comfortably with a minimum of fatigue)
Seven:Size and Space for Approach and Use (appropriate size and space is provided for access)

These strategies are easily incorporated into dwellings that are newly constructed, assuming that the design professionals are cognizant and aware of their importance.  If not, then the building professionals need to step up and do their part to insure that the new generation of homes is compliant with universal design principles. 

To learn more about making your home safe, read Dr. Rein Tideiksaar’s article on Fall Prevention.

Mike Dodd is the founder and President of Lifewise Renovations.  Mike began his career in the construction industry in 1988 when Wineteer, Inc. opened its doors to serve the residential remodeling marketplace.  Mike is a member in good standing of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and holds three certifications awarded through his participation and graduation from the following courses:  Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR) and Green Certified Professional (GCP).  As a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), he holds the Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) designation.