What Is Universal Design?
The intent of the universal concept is simply life for everyone by making more housing usable by more people at little or no extra cost. Universal design is an approach to design that incorporates products as well as building features and elements which, to the greatest extent possible, can be used by everyone. While accessible or adaptable design requirements are specified by codes or standards for only some buildings and are aimed at benefiting only some people (those with mobility limitations), the universal design concept targets all people of all ages, sizes, and abilities and is applied to all buildings.— Taken from The Center For Universal Design at North Carolina State University from their “Universal Design In Housing” PDF.
Definitions of Universal Design
Wikipedia defines Universal Design.Universal Design (UD):
"The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design." –Ron Mace
Accessible Design
Generally refers to houses or other dwellings that meet specific requirements for accessibility. These requirements are found in state, local, model building codes,and the regulations of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards A117.1-1998, and the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. These regulations, guidelines, and laws dictate standard dimensions and features such as door widths, clear space for wheelchair mobility, countertop heights for sinks and kitchens, audible and visual signals, grab bars, switch and outlet height, and more.
Adaptable Design
Allows some features of a building or dwelling to be changed to address the needs of an individual with a disability or a person encountering mobility limitations as he/she ages. Essential design elements such as wider doorways and halls and barrier-free entrances are included as integral features, while provisions are made for features to be "adapted" (modified or added) as needed. To meet the definition of "adaptable," the change must be able to be made quickly, without the use of skilled labor and without changing the inherent structure of the materials. For example, bathroom walls may be designed with additional supports for the future installation of grab bars. Cabinets under sinks can be designed to be removeable whereby storage space under the sinks are replaced for knee space for a wheelchair user.
Visitable
Refers to homes that are not only accessible to guests with disabilities visiting the homes of nondisabled hosts, but to the future needs of the nondisabled residents as well. "Visitability" is an advocacy movement proposing that when topographically feasible, basic access to all new homes is a civil right. Access features essential to visitable homes are a zero-step entrance, accessible hallways, and bathrooms with doors wide enough for a wheelchair use to enter. Such features make a home visitable to guests with disabilities and can help a resident adapt in his/her home should the resident's needs change due to a disability or reduced mobility.
Assistive Technology (AT)
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2)Assistive technology and home modifications have the potential to increase independence, safety, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Many people may become trapped in their homes or locked out because of a disability that prevents them from being able to physically access their home. Assistive technology such as environmental control units that allow a person with a disability to turn on and off the lights, answer the telephone, and open the door can increase independence. Home modifications such as ramped porches, wide hallways/doorways within homes, and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and bath chairs can provide for safety and independence as well as "aging in place" for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.(The above information, except for Universal Design, comes from the Resna Technical Assistance Project.)
Design Services
Our interior designer can also provide the following Universal Design services:- Home Assessment - CASPAR is a client-centered home assessment protocol developed and tested with a grant from the National Institute on Aging that enables our company to identify client needs and collect the type of information that can be used by knowledgeable building professional to specify the right modifications.
- Consulting
- Space Planning
- New Construction
- Existing Home - AutoCAD
Click on the links below to view and/or download larger PDFs.
Call (615) 673-9294 for further information regarding universal floor plans.
Call (615) 673-9294 for further information regarding universal floor plans.
This is my personal list of books I have collected over the years and have found to be very useful in my work. There are many other books, magazines, articles, etc. all focused on Universal Design. Just search the internet for Universal Design and you will be amazed at all the information out there on this particular subject matter.
—Kelly Costanza
Universal Interiors By Design – M.J. Peterson
Building For A Lifetime, The Design and Construction of Fully Accessible Homes – Margaret Wylde, Adrian Baron-Robbins, and Sam Clark
Accessible Housing By Design, Universal Design Principles In Practice – Steven Winter Associates
Elder Design, Designing and Furnishing A Home For Your Later Years – Rosemary Bakker
Accessible Gardening, Tips & Techniques For Seniors & Disabled – Joann Woy
Barrier-Free Travel, A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers – Candy Harrington
—Kelly Costanza
Universal Kitchen and Bathroom Planning - M.J. Peterson
Universal Interiors By Design – M.J. Peterson
Building For A Lifetime, The Design and Construction of Fully Accessible Homes – Margaret Wylde, Adrian Baron-Robbins, and Sam Clark
Accessible Housing By Design, Universal Design Principles In Practice – Steven Winter Associates
Elder Design, Designing and Furnishing A Home For Your Later Years – Rosemary Bakker
Accessible Gardening, Tips & Techniques For Seniors & Disabled – Joann Woy
Barrier-Free Travel, A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers – Candy Harrington
Kelly Costanza is an interior designer who specializes in universal design and she is also a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist. Kelly’s passion is educating others on including universal design principles in residential new construction as well as existing homes. Kelly has had the opportunity to speak with various church organizations, local home builder’s organizations, builders, developers, realtors, investment bankers, healthcare providers, architects, and many more to bring about the awareness of universal design.
If you would like to schedule a time or learn more about Kelly’s universal design speaking engagements, please give us a call.
If you would like to schedule a time or learn more about Kelly’s universal design speaking engagements, please give us a call.
