Creating a Universal Home Design for Better Accessibility
Research shows that one in five households has accessibility needs, but less than 1% are universally accessible. Architect Ron Mace coined the term “universal design” back in the 1980s to describe “design that’s usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”
Bill and Linda Bohmbach founded Home Healthsmith (HHS) to improve people’s lives by providing custom solutions to meet their unique mobility and accessibility needs.
In this article, we’ll define what universal home design is, explore some of its key elements, and point to some ways HHS can help you apply universal design benefits to your home.
What Is Universal Home Design?
Universal design, also known as barrier-free design, focuses on making a home safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability. It’s related to aging-in-place design principles, and is a great approach for planning a home remodel that increases mobility and accessibility for all occupants.
Conceptually, universal design is intended to work for as many people as possible, regardless of any limitations they may have. Universal design is meant to be functional and inclusive for individuals across all demographics and levels of need.
Entrances and Exits
- Step-free entrances, also known as no-step entry: A universal design doesn’t require the use of stairs to access the main residence or any of the home’s main rooms. Home Healthsmith installs a number of stair mobility solutions for both exteriors and interiors, like wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, and residential elevators.
- Wider doorways: Doorways that are at least 32” wide should allow wheelchairs to pass through. They also make it easier whenever you need to move larger items in or out of the house.
- Ramps and threshold modifications: Universal design also means designing ramps and thresholds that are flush with the floor. This makes it easier for wheelchairs and mobility devices, and removes a potential tripping hazard for walkers.
Interior Layout
- Open floor plans: Going with a more open floor plan allows for greater ease of movement for people of all ability levels.
- Clear and wide hallways and pathways: Hallways designed at least 32” wide are easier for people of all ability levels to navigate. It’s also important to include good lighting and to provide proper color contrast for all pathways.
Bathrooms
The bathroom is often the most injury-prone room in the home; following universal design principles can help reduce many common fall risks. This includes incorporating non-slip surfaces in showers, tubs, and bathroom floors to help everyone stay on their feet.
Home Healthsmith also provides several bathroom safety products for improved accessibility, including:
- Grab bars
- Shower seats & chairs
- Toilet seats & chairs
- Adjustable height risers
- Locking transfer benches
- and more
Kitchens
Universal design makes the kitchen more accessible too, and can help reduce the risk of many kitchen hazards. Here are some good universal design applications to include:
- Lower countertops
- Pull-out shelves and slide-out trays for easily accessible cabinet storage
- Accessible appliances optimized for ergonomic design
- Slip-resistant flooring
- Task lighting around sinks, prep areas, and cooking areas
Bedrooms
Universal design approaches make for greater bedroom accessibility. Choose lower bed heights, or use adjustable beds. Home Healthsmith also provides home lifts and bed canes that make getting in and out of bed much easier. You’ll also want to ensure closets are easily accessible.
And with today’s technology, it’s simple to create voice-controlled lighting and other voice-controlled features with smart speakers. Voice-activated home assistants make it easy to communicate with people room-to-room without getting out of bed, too.
Living Areas
Universal design also makes living rooms, sitting rooms, and gathering areas more accessible for all. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Map out a floorplan for easiest navigation, and arrange furniture accordingly
- Choose adjustable seating options
- Create multi-level surfaces, and leverage remote/voice-activated room controls wherever possible
Planning and Implementing Universal Design
Looking to incorporate universal design into your own home remodeling project? It’s important to start by conducting an assessment of your current home layout, and look for areas for improvement. While there are probably some DIY items you can do on your own, in many cases it’s best to work with professional designers, contractors, and accessibility experts like HHS to bring your ideal home universal design to life.
Ready to Bring Universal Design Benefits to Your Home?
Universal design doesn’t just benefit people with disabilities; it really benefits everyone. At Home Healthsmith, we believe seniors should be able to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, and we’re also here to provide for anyone who wants to improve home mobility and safety to promote greater freedom.
We’re pleased to partner with you to provide the best mobility and safety products to meet your unique needs. And for greater peace of mind, you can also trust our proven professional installation process.
If you’re located in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, we invite you to get in touch to schedule your free consultation today!
