Universal Design, coined by American architect Ron Mace in the 1980s, is a design approach that aims to create spaces and products that are accessible and usable for everyone, regardless of their characteristics, age, or abilities. The concept of universal design is related to aging-in and focuses on creating safe, comfortable, and flexible environments for all people.
The 7 Principles of Universal Design, developed by a working group led by Mace in 1997, guide the design of environments, products, and homes. These principles guide the design of products and environments to be usable by all people without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
Residential universal design serves individuals of all ages and abilities by standardizing accessible features such as no-step entryways, one-story living, open floor plans, ramps, wider doorways and hallways, varied counter heights, soft-closing drawers and cabinets, automated lighting, lever-style handles, and rocker handles. Examples of universal design in housing include no-step entry, one-story living, wide doorways, wide hallways, and extra floor space.
Universal design is about making buildings accessible to all people of all abilities at any stage of life, ensuring that spaces do not discriminate and benefit people regardless of their abilities, needs, and cultural preferences. A Universally Designed home simplifies daily life for residents and allows guests to visit now and in the future, especially as needs and physical abilities change.
In summary, universal design is a design approach that aims to create accessible, usable, and inclusive environments for all people, regardless of their characteristics, age, or abilities.
📹 Understanding Home Building Universal Designs
ProBuilt Homes’ George Davis explains what you should expect with a Universal Design built home. Very many details are …
What are the key benefits of universal design?
Universal Design promotes inclusive living by creating accessible and usable solutions for people of all abilities. This approach helps maintain independence by ensuring products, services, and environments are accessible and usable. Universal Design assumes that human ability is ordinary, not special, and that no two people have exactly the same abilities. The variation between individuals can be influenced by both external and internal factors, such as the type of activity or environment. Factors such as universal design play a crucial role in addressing the global issue of independent living.
Why is universal design important in interior design?
Universal Design is a design approach that aims to reduce stress and improve convenience and usability for hardware users by promoting universal accessibility. This approach involves designing furniture components and hardware to minimize barriers to access, making it inclusive of the elderly, young people, disabled individuals, and those at risk of repetitive stress injuries. Universal Design also helps those who are too busy in their workplaces to have access to fast and simple hardware.
Interior designers can benefit from Universal Design by making their projects more useful to more people, as it considers different physical capabilities and ensures that furniture components and hardware are built to be usable by as many people as possible.
Why is universal design so important?
The rise of public voice and increased consumer expectations has led to companies evolving their design processes and customer services to accommodate a wider range of people. Universal Design enables companies to design products and environments that closely match consumer expectations and needs. Consumers form opinions about a product at first use, and a recent study suggests that internet users take less than 50 milliseconds to judge the visual appeal of a website they visit.
A negative first impression can lead to consumers not paying for a product, but a product that is simple, clear, easy to access, and easy to use will increase their likelihood of proceeding with the transaction.
How do you create a universal design?
Universal Design principles aim to maximize usability for individuals with diverse abilities, including those with learning strategies and physical space. These principles include equitable use, flexibility, simplicity, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space for approach and use. For example, a counter space or desk surface can be raised or lowered to accommodate users of varying heights or those using a wheelchair.
Additionally, designs should accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities, such as captioned videos, which allow users to choose between listening or reading to understand content, benefiting those with hearing impairments, those who prefer reading, or those who prefer sound.
What is universal design in simple terms?
Universal design is a concept that aims to make products and environments usable for all people without requiring adaptation or specialized design. It is a broader focus than just adhering to standards, and federal agencies can adopt universal design principles to improve accessibility in areas like digital strategy, procurement, and product design. By investing in accessible products from the start, promoting inclusivity, and engaging staff, federal agencies can save money, innovate, and create products for everyone, regardless of ability. This approach also encourages more people with disabilities to join the workforce.
What are examples of universal design?
Universal design features such as step-free entries, curb ramps, levers, wide doorways, and handheld adjustable showerheads are designed for places that are more flexible, efficient, and comfortable for all ages and abilities. This approach benefits all Tennesseans, especially those with disabilities or older individuals. Universal design is broader than accessible design, aiming to make products and environments usable by all people without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
The principles of universal design include equitable use, flexibility in use, simplicity and intuitiveness, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space for approach and use. These principles aim to make products, communications, and built environments more usable by as many people of all ages and abilities as possible. The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University describes seven principles of universal design: equitable use, flexibility in use, simplicity and intuitiveness, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space for approach and use.
Which of the following is an example of universal design in a home?
Universal design in the home includes features like wide doorways, lever handles, adjustable-height counters, and non-slip flooring, making it easier for people of all ages and abilities to move around. As an occupational therapist in home health, I recommend durable medical equipment like bath benches and commodes, which may not be aesthetically pleasing but can increase home value when planned ahead.
What is universal design in a house?
Universal design is the creation of products and environments that are accessible to all people without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The objective is to enhance the quality of life for all by making more housing units usable at minimal or no additional cost.
Is universal design a good or bad idea?
Universal Design is a concept that has the potential to empower individuals from all backgrounds and with varying levels of experience, enabling them to engage in all aspects of life.
What is the main focus of universal design?
Universal design is a strategy that aims to create accessible physical, learning, and work environments for a diverse range of people, regardless of age, size, or disability status. It is legally required to ensure these environments are accessible for individuals with disabilities. Creating accessible spaces, content, and learning environments requires careful planning and planning from the outset.
This approach is easier than retrofitting inaccessible spaces or programs. Universal design benefits a wide range of people with varying learning styles, preferences, and abilities, improving access and outcomes in various situations.
What are the three principles of UDL?
Universal Design (UDL) is an educational framework that focuses on three main principles: providing multiple means of representation, allowing students to express their knowledge in various ways, and providing multiple means of engagement. These principles aim to enhance learning opportunities for all learners by providing evidence-based guidelines for improving information presentation, student engagement, and inclusive assessments.
UDL principles can be applied to course design, instructional materials, and strategies like lectures, activities, discussions, group work, handouts, online instruction, labs, field work, and demonstrations.
A universally designed curriculum offers students multiple ways to view and engage with information, making the classroom more inclusive and reducing the need for special accommodations for students with disabilities.
📹 Designing Accessible Homes for Everyone 🏡 Aging in Place & People with Disabilities
This video covers how to make your home barrier-free and overall design a universally accessible home. Interior design and …
I’ve had the majority of my house redone and something that really helped was to leave one of my old wheelchairs for the workers. Whenever they weren’t quite sure of where to install certain items they would get in the chair, move around and try to reach items. This crew was wonderful in making sure that everything was reachable and I’d be able to navigate.
I’m a disabled 26 year old who (currently) can still walk, but my mobility is steadily decreasing. It means a lot to have a creator (especially one who (as far as I know) isn’t disabled) take the time to learn about and share with us how we can make our homes more accessible while still keeping it homey.
Long time watcher, first time commenter. I just want to say thank you so so much for this article. I kind if choked up a bit because of how unexpected it was, but how seen I felt. My life completely changed when I turned 27 and I suddenly became disabled and it completely turned my life and the way I live and see the world on its head. Accessibility is so so important to help people feel like they are part of society and even more important in the home where you want to rest and get a break from life. You want your home to be your safe place. I just really appreciate the thoughtfulness of this topic❤️
I had aging parents and a husband in a wheelchair. I found that a toilet seat bidet was really helpful for maintaining some semblance of dignity for them. I found the ones that run on electricity really work the best- you get warm water and a warm seat. Washes and dries – can also come in really handy if you have back spasm issues or arthritic hands. I have the Biobidet and cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you so much for talking about accessibility! It’s a topic people typically don’t think about until it affects them. As a 30-something with long-COVID, you never know what your needs will become. The future isn’t certain, and the more we design with accessibility in mind, the more we design for EVERYONE. Even typical people benefit from accessibility in design.
We’re actually in both categories — hubs and i are getting older, and our teenage granddaughter is going blind. We’ll be moving into a different house in the next few years, and both aging-in-place and her disability will be priorities in how and what we renovate. We’re going to put in a bathroom downstairs next to her room so she won’t have to deal with the stairs as much, and we’ll light the stairs as well; making the stairs safer for her is actually our top priority. And just an fyi: GE has a line of appliances for the visually impaired. Thanks for a great and really important article, Nick. Well done.
My parents have a sunken living room that’s one step down, and it’s amazed me over the years how many people trip and don’t see the step at all. If you have sunken rooms that are one or two steps down, you may want those steps to be different colors from the flooring so it’s a visual cue to visitors. I’ve noticed this especially with those who are aging, and even if we’ve mentioned it a couple times, they often forget. My parents also renovated their bathroom so they can age in place, and they added a larger curb for the bathtub so it would be easier to sit on and then lower yourself into. The accessibility bars they added in their bathroom were reinforced under the tile and matched the shower accessories and towel bars so everything looks sleek and cohesive. I think it’s important to have accessible home decor that also looks good. No one wants to feel like they living a nursing home, they want to feel like they’re in their home that’s meant and designed for them. Thank you for covering this topic! I would be curious to hear more from you about home design for ADHD and autism.
Thanks a lot Nick for mentioning neurodivergence! We’re often forgotten in discussions about accessibility. Here’s two other tips related to neurodivergence; acoustics, and colour and light. A very echo-y room can really become overstimulating for people on the autism spectrum. So when decorating a room it can really help to pay attention to where you can put certain things to reduce echo. You can do already do a lot without immediately having to place acoustic panels. Strategically placing plants can help, putting up cloth wall decorations, rugs, avoiding leather couches and chairs, open bookcases, a table cloth or thick curtains. Those are some examples that can all help. Colour is of course even more personal, but some people on the autism spectrum can feel visually overwhelmed by bright and brightly coloured spaces. It can help to think about using less saturated colours. And for days when you feel exhausted and easily overstimulated it can help to have ways to darken the space without it becoming unusable, like having your curtains be in multiple parts so you can only close a few if need be or have lights that are less bright and have a warmer colour temperature.
As an able bodied person, injuries had opened my eyes a little bit, but not being able to help host family during fire evacuations really hit hard. My sister hosted 11 people while we could barely host a couple since most of them couldnt handle the stairs and make it to any of our bedrooms. Accesability is needed for everyone and in all situations.
As someone who’s been in Physical Therapy for 15-ish years- rugs can be ok, for traction- but not having multiple small rugs- they are a serious trip hazard for those with any balance issues, those who use an additive device, and those with vision impairments. They are not worth having when they are part of the reason why we have so many repeat patients in skilled nursing rehabs. ❤ I do really love that you have made this effort Nick! Aging in place is huge and is not thought about or planned for remotely as much as it should be. ❤❤❤❤
I know a lot of people prefer hard floors, but consider the possibility of breaking bones in a fall, and it makes kneeling on the floor very painful for some. I am often grateful for a carpet in my apt for looking under the bed etc, and very aware of the hard floor in the bathroom that can force an awkward standing upchucking. A fold down seat and a hand held shower head would be wonderful after a knee operation. I made my father’s house over for disability, too late for him to get a lot of use out of it except for the ramp out front. We learned the hard way that a grab bar that isn’t attached to a stud will pull right out. We also learned that a tub is really hard to get out of. I had to step in on either side of my mother and lift straight up to rescue her, after my father couldn’t do it from the floor beside her. When my father was fully disabled the bathroom sink was made to the standard height for a wheelchair but it was too high for him to lean over to brush his teeth. It hit at his forearms. The smaller sink did allow his wheelchair to get to the toilet and wheel-in shower. Very importantly in tornado alley, it enabled him to get to a safer place, in the middle of the house without windows. Please consider that aspect of a disabled home.
I am 67 and my husband is 71. We have lived in our home for 34 years now. At the time we built it, the step-down living rooms and family rooms were very on trend. We are about to start a big reno of our first floor to bring those lowered rooms up to all one consistent level. We are also opening up a narrow hallway. This is being done with the intention of aging in place. Our first floor has a bath with a shower and a den that could be a bedroom if needed. For now, we still use both floors (bedrooms upstairs), but if we really had to, we could live on the first floor only with all the essentials needed and still have 1200sq ft of space. We have no mortgage left, love our neighborhood, and live in a very expensive part of the country. Selling and moving just seems not sensible when we can have our home changed for long term aging. We are also actively downsizing in place: releasing possessions that we no longer need or want for an overall simpler lifestyle, and to save our kids from having to deal with our “baggage” when we are gone.
Nick, this is really becoming a big part of the design business with an aging population. It’s so important to anticipate current needs and perhaps not to far off into the future needs. You are really helping people come to grip with reality and showing them that one doesn’t have to give up style to be safe. Wonderful article.
Thanks for making this article! And thanks for including us neurodivergent folk! As someone who’s AuDHD, the forgetting things you don’t see is definitely a problem with adhd. My autism makes up for some of it, but I still always forget about the vegetables I have in the drawers in the fridge and the like. I eat more of them if I can see them. Sensory issues are also something really important to take into consideration, like you mentioned with textures. More accomodations for this could look like: buying appliances with a silent mode for alarms/beeping, using soft lighting or having a way to turn the light level down, keeping earplugs or noise cancelling headphones accessible, having a way to control background noise, etc. You can also do the opposite and put things you like sensory-wise around the house. If you love leather, buy a leather couch. Love fleece? Keep a fleece blanket in the livingroom. Love music? Set up smart speakers around the house so you always have music while doing chores. Love cozy nooks? Make one. Do you need a quiet space to relax alone? Make one. Another thing is to allow yourself to accept accessibility over trends. If you like your swing chair but it’s going out of style, keep it anyway. Love your open shelving even though people are moving away from it? Keep it anyway. Love your collection of rubber duckies in your bathroom even though people say it’s childish? Happily live your life with your army of duckies anyway. Accessibility can look very different to different people, and that’s okay.
I worked in physical therapy for 25 years. It is heartbreaking to see somebody have to move out of their home because it is not accessible. If you plan on aging in place do the work now on your house, don’t wait until it’s absolutely necessary. It doesn’t have to end up looking like a nursing home. bathrooms almost always are the main culprit.
Great tips. One more that we decided on when we designed our new house – “25 year no-maintenance”. We’re in our early 60s and will be aging in place in what we hope is our last home. We built it assuming we’d be in wheelchairs or using walkers and that we’d not be able to do much of the maintenance ourselves. While that’s not true today, we’re only a slip or fall away from being less-abled. So we chose materials and designed so that we’d not need to do anything to it for 25 years. Our floors are a premium LVP that is waterproof, has a 25 yr commercial use warranty and we put it everywhere – no thresholds between the rooms. That means we’re not going to have to have hardwood floors refinished in 10 years. Same for the siding – we used vinyl, really nice vinyl but still not wood or Hardieboard which the builder wanted. But we’re not going to be repainting every 8-10 years. While we could hire it out, the house is built on a slope so in the back it’s 45 feet from the ground to the roofline. That means a lot of extra money to hire a painter. A friend told me it’s a 3X paint job – 3 times what the same job would cost if it were a 2-story house on a flat lot. Doors are all 36″ wide pocket doors so we’re not trying to swing open or close a door while leaning on a walker or sitting in a wheelchair. There’s a reserved space on the main floor that can be used for an elevator if we can’t navigate the stairs to the guest rooms and we want to be able to do that. BTW, for the smart house, try to make it automatic not just smart.
as a disabled person i really appreciate you talking about accessibility i don’t see it that often but it’s really necessary to discuss in our society and i really really appreciate you mentioning that everyone has different accessibility needs there isn’t one universal design that works for everyone and it’s important to take that into consideration. another thing that could be touched on especially for neurodivergent people and or people with migraines or epilepsy etc is lighting and being able to change the intensity of light and where light is coming from and also having appliances with silent mode. you talked a little about tech but that could be a whole article by itself lol just like having remotes for things is very important to me lol
I’ve not ever aimed for special or more grout – I JUST BUY ANTI-SLIP TILES for my shower floor. They are lightly rough – not enough to feel uncomfortable on my feet – but they don’t get slippery so it adds to the anti-slip vibe. Great ideas from your guest – she speaks with authority and clarity – have her back soon!!!
this might not necessarily tie into accessibility design as much, but my husband and I are both quite tall (over 6ft) and when we built our own home we finally had the chance to build kitchen counters, showers and sinks that didn´t require us to constantly stand hunched over. I know, being tall isn´t a disability, but it really helped to prevent constant back pain.
Yeeeeessss! Thank you for this! Accessibility doesn’t have to be ugly. We deserve to have beautiful functional homes! And unfortunately it’s so rarely covered. I’m neurodivergent and have just designed a small home around my ADHD and autism. LOTS of open shelving for my ADHD and things stored where the task that uses them operates. Like my clothes washer dryer unit (yes it washes then dries it!) is in my closet. But also storage that while open isn’t necessarily visible until you’re standing at a particular angle to help keep it from being too overwhelming. My home is as fully smart home integrated as I could afford to make it. Lights on dimmers, heated floors in the bathroom, bidet toilet seat, different alarms and sensors to remind me of things and in case of flooding. An alarm system that turns itself on and off depending on my location. And I am a person who wants ALL the textures. Lol, I find textures calming and a type of stimming. But still keeping them cohesive enough to make sense together. I love seeing everyone’s spaces and how it benefits them as a disabled person. Molly’s remodel is stunning! Her home is absolutely a textural treasure. It works so well for her disability and at the same time looks stunning. Why not have form AND function!?!?
Thank you. I have, unfortunately, spent most of my disabled life having to explain to people how hard it can be as a wheelchair user. Often, simple, considered planning can make a huge difference to everyday living. Which, in turn, makes a huge difference to independence and mental health. Thank you for such an informative and helpful article. X
Really, really appreciate you doing a article on this topic. As a single home buyer in my mid-40s with almost no family, age-in-place was my main priority when I bought my townhome. I was shocked when I started shopping that, depending on what area of the country you’re trying to buy in, it can be extremely challenging to even find a single-story, zero-entry house, let alone any additional considerations like a roll-in capable shower (first home reno on the docket in about 2 years), door and hallway widths, or height accessibility.
Thank you for addressing neurodivergent brains in this article!! Too often people who talk about disability & accessibility only focus on people who are blind or use mobility aids, which obviously are important, but there are so many different ways to be disabled, as you mentioned. The most frustrating thing about accessible design (for me, at least) is that what’s accessible for one person might make a space less accessible for another person, so having options and a customized ability to change things over time is ideal, but soooo expensive. Doesn’t help that a disability forces most of us into poverty, too.
We were able to design a home for ourselves and our adult daughter who uses a wheelchair. We incorporated so many of the suggestion you make. In addition, we used extra wide doors but also made them extra tall so the proportions we still pleasing. All bathrooms in the house are accessible and have roll-in showers. The garage is slightly wider to accommodate the ramp that deploys from the side of the van and the doorway from the garage into the house lines up with the ramp on the van. Hallways and walkways are a little wider. Her bedroom is slightly larger to accommodate all of the extra equipment. A door from her bedroom exits directly onto the back porch where the hot tub is for therapy. There’s more, but those were a few ideas we have had that work well for us and for the design of the house. Thanks Nick!
Living both blind and with a chronic illness leaving me allergic to the world and exhausted most of the time really got me thinking. Life moves slow for dusabled people but when I can finally get a home it’ll be designed for a ninety year old. I’ll age and thrive in place. I’ve been researching with disabled architects and elderly blind friends and I’m confident I know exactly what I need and have been looking at chronically ill people design ideas too.
We have a new build and it’s designed as a “two story ranch”. At first I was like ummm that makes no sense, ranches are only one floor! But basically it’s first floor living with a second floor for guests. Master bed, kitchen, laundry, living room are on the first floor. Second floor is a guest bedroom, loft, and full bath. I’m disabled (spine issues) and I really love this set up. This article was so amazing! So many wonderful tips.
Thanks, Nick! This was a great article and I appreciated Megan’s comments. I also recommend that shower doors open outward. A handheld shower should be installed so that a seated person can use it comfortably. Toilet and shower spaces should have enough clearance that an attendant can easily assist another person. Pocket doors can be easier to operate for a person using a walker or in a wheelchair. On a smaller scale, jars lids can be difficult to turn and medicine packaging can be hard to open. Refrigerators and dishwashers can be too deep and cookware can be too heavy.
Yaaaassssssssss! As someone with MS who LOVES design, I can’t stress how important this type of content is! I’m currently painting my living room and IT. IS. A. PROCESS. when you are differently-abled, so being proactive in the design/building process for things that are WAY more difficult to change than paint is much appreciated! ❤❤❤❤❤
About the grab bars.. looking pretty is a bonus, but it’s supposed to hold your weight and help you stay upright. so the more weight a grab bar can hold, the better. My hubby ordered some heavy duty grab bars (a little more than double the weight of the heaviest person), and I’ve almost fallen, but caught the bars in time to stay upright. Also, the height of the grab bars is really important. Hubby measured where the door knob was against the wall, and kept the bars to that height, so not only is it tall enough, but it’s a natural grab
Fantastic article! Really appreciate you doing this! Also higher toilets, low maintenance for yard and home exteriors, dog door on back of house storm door leading into fenced in back yard, well-lit and natural light, and plug points at higher levels to keep from bending down (vacuums, phone, chargers, oxygen, tanks, lighting, etc.).
Great subject, Nick! I sometimes have to use a walker at home when I’m having an active gluten ataxia episode. I chose to not have a coffee table in our living room for that reason. Instead we have lightweight movable nesting tables we can spread around the room as needed. We also made our interior doors much wider. Bathroom door in main bedroom was only 28″. We had my niece’s husband (who is a manual wheelchair user), to help us with layout too. Particularly in the bathroom. Very helpful! Yes, rugs! Lots to consider. We put in all no slip tile for tile on the floors. This article was jam packed with excellent ideas!
I live in Portugal and new build homes have to have a ground floor bathroom and enough space for someone in a wheelchair to easily be able to use it. This is something that I recently found out about, my husband has a cycling buddy who built a house recently and had to comply with the building regulations for future proofing a home and not excluding any potential future buyers. We have 2 family members that are in a wheelchair and an aunt who is a thalidomide baby, she has had to come up with solutions for her day to day life that fit her specific needs. Her husband is in a wheelchair so they had to build a ramp going into their kitchen as it had 2 steps going down. Portugal is usually really good at having wheelchair access in all public spaces, including the beach ⛱️. Thank you for this informative article 🙏😊
Thanks for addressing this topic! I suggested it a while ago and I’m so glad you reached out to other designers for help. I Injured my back and have been using a walker for 7 years. Fortunately I had just bought a house with ADA compliant outer and inner doors as well as a wide hallway. My injury left me only 4’6″ tall so I can only reach the bottom shelf in the kitchen. I don’t really like open shelving but found an L shaped shelf to put on my counter for glasses, mugs and small bowls. I can get plates from the cupboard using a portable step. I have a living/dining area that has a flat rug in each section, with an aisle of bare floor between to walk on. It’s easier to use a walker on bare floor. It’s hard for me to sit on any couch, so I found a rocking chair that’s a modern style, and I use it with a pouf. I’m also autistic and find rocking is a great stim! I fall easily so I have furniture arranged so I can always hold on to something for balance. My brother installed a handrail made of copper pipe that’s been burned with a torch in my long hallway. Couple of things I’d add are no throw rugs unless they have rubber backing, and light switches that push instead of toggle.
Thank you for this episode! I’m an occupational therapist who is helping my parents age in place. It’s great to see universal design incorporated into attractive products instead of looking “8institutional.” There’s no need for it to be “ugly,” and it benefits so many people. Again, thank you for this episode!
I applaud you for doing this article,it’s so true that there are dozens of things to consider when someone has mobility issues or other needs .It’s something my husband and I have been dealing with for the last few months,since a stroke impacted his mobility .Things like the height of rug piles and furniture become incredibly important,as do little things like a detachable shower head .I think it’s brilliant that you are talking about this,it can be very difficult to combine having an attractive home with needing accessibility and mobility aids in place .
Thank you for highlighting that everyone has different accessibility needs, even within the disabled community. What works perfectly for one might be too difficult for another. I really appreciated you sharing the many different ways that you might incorporate accessibility to respond to similar needs so we can find the one that works for us. ❤
Great tips, one trick I used when planning to buy a ‘Forever Home’ was imaging how my grandmother would visit and use the space. Even though she passed away decades ago I knew my Mum/Dad/Family and I would all be getting older so it was much easier to buy a house with a accessable layout and wider doorways first – then need to try and fix everything if I or someone I love was suddenly disabled and needed to live there. A couple of features I added to make life easier/safer for me and guests is smart smoke alarms that ‘talk’ and double as a sensor light in hallways so you don’t need to find a light switch. Because asthma was common in my family I checked the tips for low allergy housing – which ended up being super important as I developed very serious allergies following a workplace accident. The last tip which is ‘free’ is to think about clutter and where you put furnature – if you have fragile, trip hazards or sharp edges put the item in a corner or in a spare room so that you our your visitors are not going to bump into them, trip or break it. Also don’t forget about the air quality and allergies – 1 in 4 people are sensitive to fragrance and it can trigger migranes, autism and asthma! So if you want to impress – buy fragrance free products and use a air purifier – I’ve had family members who suffer from chronic migranes ‘cured’ when they visit – because my disability required me to get rid of those smelly products and focus on cleaning vs ‘covering up’ smells.
I took an interior design course in college in 1974 and one of our assignments was to design an accessible space. It opened my eyes to some challenges that hadn’t occurred to 21 year old me! Now I’m 70 and, oddly enough, my 5’1″ self has a few issues other than kitchen cabinets and bathroom mirrors being installed to serve someone who is 5’8″!
Hi Nick. One thing to remember about aging in place is that as people get older their eyesight begins to diminish and they will need more artificial light in order to see properly. For example, older people may have trouble discerning where the edge of a countertop is because it is a similar color to the base cabinet door. In this situation it would be better to go with contrasting colors so older people can clearly see where the edge (and height) of the countertop is located.
You did a good job hitting the important considerations. You might want to do follow up vids treating different areas in more detail. My husband’s 92-yr-old mother moved in with us last January. Before she did, we had to redo the downstairs 1/2 bath, which was down 2 steps! However, raising the floor gave us options (because the hal and original powder room were on slab) to replumb. The room was a generous size, so we ditched the 40″ vanity, kept the toilet in the same place but switched to a chair-height model, put a tiny lavatory sink across from it, and were able to add a 32″ shower in the corner where the vanity had been. Our builder was very conscientious about making sure we had clearance for the “rollator” walker between the edge of the shower enclosure and the sink for access to the toilet. Yes, you can find grab bars to match your fixtures — even some that double as shelving. Very nice. And I found a shower head with a dual head feature, with a repositionable movable head — the holder for it is on a suction cup, so each user can set the perfect height for them. At the moment, we’ve chosen not to install the shower door, because it’s easier for me to help her shower without it — with her sitting on a shower chair, a bath mat is sufficient to catch the overflow. (And we were able to add a ground floor laundry area in the hall leading to the bathroom, which is SUCH a convenience!) Anyway, keep up the good work!
Great article Nick. Maegan is a friend of mine and a fellow chair user. She’s awesome. Thank you for bringing universal design to YT. I think all new homes built should be built accessible since anyone can become injured anytime as well for aging in place. . I always encourage people to do roll in showers. They give a lot of room to move. . We had a small shelf built into the wall right above the wand for shampoo bottles. Pocket doors were installed too. Saves space and accessibility for me. Pedistal sinks work great for chair users. In our kitchen we had a pedistal built for our dishwasher that way the door could open all the way. Farm sink works great too. I can roll right under it. Only thing I wish we had done was to install the light and disposal switches into the side of the dishwasher cabinet so I could. reach them. Now I just use my reacher. Dishwasher broke and we didnt replace it so it makes a great place for the trash and recycle cans. Before that they were under the sink(which we left open) and had to move each time I needed to get to the sink. Lever door handles are great. For closing doors, Ive seen people install a drawer pull on the outside opposite side of the door level/knob so its easier to shut their door. I just use my reacher😊😊. Thanks again for having Meagan on. Congrat Meagan! You did great my friend.
I echo the many comments saying Thank you!! This is SUCH an important topic and one that really is strangely absent from most of the design content I see. As a neurodivergent person who also struggles with chronic pain (AS) and an Occupational Therapist I am just always thinking about how to make spaces better and more accessible. For me, that open/clear and labelled storage is a very important thing…also lighting (enough so I can see clearly but not so bright it gives me a headache) and sound management are huge. Making sure there are enough soft surfaces to keep sound down is really important.
9:44 YES, thank you! So glad to hear someone address this. As much as I love things to look tidy and clean, if I can’t see it, I won’t remember to use it, or hoard things by shoving it all in a drawer and convincing myself I have more space now, or won’t charge it regularly, or worst of all i end up with 2 or 3 because I thought I needed one but it was just in a weird place. I’d really like to see some designers instead of saying put everything out of sight, say ‘here’s how you can organize things to be in the open but still look nice, here’s how you can maximize the space you have to put things without shoving them in a drawer but also without looking cluttered’. I feel like it would help more than just adhd, too
I really appreciate this! I became physically disabled a few years ago and was lucky that most of the things in my apartment were mostly accessible to me or could be modified easily. The thing that I really struggle with still is doors with the auto-closing function that is required in Toronto which can make going in and out unassisted really challenging.
Great article – such an important topic. Even if you don’t need these features now it is worth considering as you renovate so those potential future changes are easier and cheaper. Our architect encouraged us to future proof our new bathroom, so even though we don’t have grab bars now we have the blocking for them behind the shower (and a diagram so we can find it when we need it). We also had the tile floor go all the way under the vanity so if we end up changing to a roll-in sink we don’t have to worry about a gap in the flooring. I have even seen some house designs where they build in an area that could be converted to an elevator shaft if second floor accessibility becomes an issue.
I had to look after my Uncle who was temporarily blind from eye surgery and stayed with me to look after him. A good idea was to make sure there were no pictures on a wall he used to place his had on to get around. I removed them so he could use the walls to get around. Just a quick tip to make sure pictues or other wall “items” do not interfere with someone using them for mobility in homes without anyone getting hurt. Higher pictures may seem odd but who cares if it helps people and avoid any accidents. Cheers Nick! This was an awesome article!!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT YOU DID THIS article!!! Raising awareness & sensitivity towards the topic is always amazing. You never know what your future holds. That could be a partner, child, friend, or family member who needs accommodating in your home, at least to some degree. I do want to point out, PLEASE Pay attention to where you put the toilet paper! That’s my biggest pet peeve as someone with limited mobility who is also short. It’s embarrassing to have to remove the TP from the holder when say, staying as a guest, or scope the room to make sure I’ll have access once I’ve sat down. I’ve seen it placed behind the toilet on the wall… it’s almost impossible for an adult male to reach, much less a short female with mobility problems. A TP stand is better. (My current home has this situation, so my spouse & I have both tested it out. We have TP baskets now.) Faucet styles are really important too. Not only that they can be reached, but that they can be turned on. Really hard to turn taps or the ones you have to pull out to turn on (these are usually in bathrooms) are tough on small hands, those with low muscle tone, low grip strength, nerve issues… I’d also say, don’t forget about the children too. I’ve seen too many kids who can’t turn the lights on and off in their own bedrooms. Oh! Another thing a lot of people don’t think about. How easily cleaned their floors are as well as how resistant to staining they are. Wheelchairs often leave marks. Some people have to wear shoes indoors.
These tips are important in making your home safer and more accessible for visitors, as well, such as older parents. Doorways are often problematic, especially bathroom doors that open inward, with the toilet behind the door. Navigating with a walker, crutches or wheelchair is nearly impossible. Task lighting, stair tred lighting, and color contrast is crucial, as are stair railings you can actually grip and hold (vs a thick banister). Good lighting and grab bars/rails at garage entrances is often overlooked, where there are typically 1-2 steps to navigate.
Great topic choice! As someone who is legally blind, I’d also like to add that having good (and strong) task lighting options in rooms is very important. In so many design situations I see soft / low lighting and single fancy light fixtures used… Have extra (stronger) lighting that is an option on a light switch (like recessed spots) can be very helpful.. Good bright lighting inside closet spaces, etc..Even lighting options inside storage areas like closets and pantrys is very helpful.
About dining chairs: it is a fine balance between them being light enough that a person with limited strength can move them according to their needs and them not being flimsy, cheap stuff that can break easily. My advice in general: let the person who will use it, test it in the shop before buying it. Or at least at home before installing it for good.
This was so informative and appropriate for me right now…I’m 5’0″ and just had a total hip replacement. I could definitely relate to a lot of the recommendations presented. Over the course of my recovery, I’ve become quite aware of the kinds of accommodations my hubby and I may need in the future. Thanks to Maegan as well for all the great design tips!
Thank you Megan and thank you Nick! This is a spectacular episode; I learned so much! For those taking care of children, elderly, bed-bound, etc., it helps to have a fairly open space plan because it allows the caretaker to keep any eye out on the other other person or even have conversations with them while they do chores around the house.
Along with actual steps, door thresholds are also really important, especially if someone is still walking but prone to falls. Also, I know bedskirts aren’t trendy right now but they can be a trip hazard if they pool on the floor at all. My grandmother actually broke her hip like that. My mom found a headboard with horizontal slats that she could hang onto to help lever out of bed helpful as well. And contrasting colors can help those with diminishing vision see corners better. We also found a lot of benefit to reversing hinges on doors. I can’t tell you how many doors we changed from opening on the right to the left or swinging in to swinging out. Overhead ceiling fan lights were also a problem. We actually put duct tape over the wall switches to prevent people from messing with them out of habit. We could get longer chain pulls but some of those switches were in places mom couldn’t even get to, let alone reach.
This is such an important topic. It took us 4 years to find a condominium in our price range that was wheelchair accessible. In our area, almost all new apartments and condos are built over garages, making them completely unworkable for anyone who cannot or doesn’t want to deal with stairs. Under the “smart home” category, we also have a smart lock on our front door that works with a phone app. Fantastic! Next step is making the bathroom/kitchen sinks and the shower accessible.
The segment about designing for the blind YouTuber was illuminating. I’m not blind, but just took a look around my kitchen, and it now dawns on me that only one of my appliances, the stand mixer with its manual switch, would be useful at all. My current coffeemaker has a single knob with no tactile settings whatsoever; there’s no way a vision-impaired person could use it at all. So much non-inclusive design 😠 that I’ve just never thought about!
I work deaf a lot of deaf individuals and one aspect that gets overlooked is lighting and space planning. Such as having doorbells that flash a light in addition to sounds. A lot of people talk about how open floorplans are dated and out of fashion, that type of layout is more helpful when you’re speaking ASL or need to be able to see a flashing light notification throughout the house.
Thank you for making this article! I’m 21 and I have a chronic illness. I’ve been looking at buying my first home and finding one that fits my needs is so hard. Its inevitable that I’m going to fall over (I pass out a lot) and we couldn’t figure out what would be best to protect me and my floors. Vancouver homes are full of tile and cement and I don’t love the look of carpet, but I didn’t even think about rugs! This was a super helpful article to make accessibility beautiful! 💜
What a great, timely article. Thank you to Megan as well. Something in my own work that I think a lot about – guided meditations, imagery etc – is that many of the recordings say things like “imagine the light traveling down your knee, now to your toes” when MANY people from veterans, to kids with cancer, to others, simply don’t have legs, or both legs. Thinking about accessibility is everyone’s job because when we don’t, we are handicapping individuals. ❤
Additional thoughts: built in shower seat to transfer to from wheelchair; accessible low-level light or fan switches, outlets, home security keypads; extra width of hallways and doorways and alternatives to swing in-out doors like pocket doors for wheelchairs; extra outlets for easier room transitions of a person with plug-in oxygen support equipment; more braille labeling of appliances; push button alternatives to knobs for people with arthritic hands. Thank you both- great design ideas!
I am so happy you brought up ADHD as I feel like we are sometimes left out of these discussions. For me I do not have access to that much open storage but what I do have is great. It is just not a lot of room. I usually put stuff in my few open storage areas in my dorm room so my desk usually gains a stack of papers and books on it very quick when I am not careful. I am planning on maybe getting a few more shelves this year to help with that so i get a bit more space as it is something that quite helps me. Also one thing I found that helps (at least for me. ADHD is different for everyone and not one thing will work for everyone) is that no matter what happens the room will get a bit cluttered and will never look perfect so I put that into the design. This is not the same as just allowing myself to be messy. But having a lot of decoration and random items around the room, makes it so other stuff that I have out there for more of a purpose fits more in with the look. Also my design style is kinda the opposite of minimalist anyways empty walls and empty space makes me feel uncomfortable I like being in a room of stuff that comforts me and is fun. Also as it is part of the look to be a bit cluttered there is a slightly lower threshold I have to meet to be clean compared to more minimalist decor which helps makes everything a bit easier. ALSO at least for me having an open area is a bit of a must. I like having at least some space in where ever I am with no furniture or stuff in the way to pace.
This is such an important topic. My mother has been disabled her entire life and has mobility issues. As my siblings and I were often called upon to assist her in settings that did not accommodate her needs, generally in public buildings, I have always been super aware of accessibility. Thank you for highlighting this topic and a creator that has expertise in this area of design.
This is a really important article as the bulk of our population (the post WW2 crowd through to those born late 60’s to mid 70’s ane older) is aging into that part of their lives where mobility challenges become very real. Design in general tends to be heavily focused towards the 20 to 40 year olds (but very clearly not towards the 10 and unders) which leaves out a large percentage of the population. We have to develop design frames that meet the needs of the whole population, and not segmentize it and thereby making some essentials unavailable (financially or otherwise) to many ordinary humans with a wide variety of challenges.These kinds of articles address these issues.
Excellent article, Nick. We don’t talk enough about accessibility within a home. I think most people think accessability means “for people with physical dissabilities”, so it doesn’t apply to them. Truth is, we are ALL exposed to becoming slightly, partially, temporarily or long-term impaired at some point in our lives: an accident, broken arm/leg, surgery, illness, aging, etc., and we don’t think about these design issues until something happens. Designing accessible homes should go hand in hand with establishing 401k, saving for retirement, setting up wills, and advanced directives (though don’t get me started on the last topic because I think that’s another one we don’t talk about enough, either). Congrats on the article and thanks!! ❤
Love all your articles Nick, but especially this one. I’m building a new house and previously would not have thought about accessibility. Until i spent 12 weeks unable to walk. Never appreciated little things like aider doorways so you don’t crush your fingers as you wheel through or how utterly frustrating it is when you can’t get up a little stupid step. It didn’t take much or cost much to make the changes you talk about. Thank you for helping with awareness ❤
Nick, this is such an important topic. Even if you aren’t ever in a wheelchair, most people will use a walker or have a brace at some point (knee, hip, shoulder surgeries/replacements) Having a handheld shower is also a must as well as an ADA compliant toilet. You also must eliminate all trip hazards. Get rails for your bed. Falls can be deadly as you age. Thank you for covering this.
WOW this is the first time i’ve seen sooo honest commercial of a partner’s product on yt! I’ve played this game for some time now and I really enjoy it. But I have never seen someone say – I’m not a big fan of games but this can be valuable to you, so check it out. Everyone says stuff like “I’ve been addicted to this game”, or “i’ve been playing this game for a year on the throne”, but not Nick. Nick is honest and if I haven’t been playing this game already I would definitely start to.
I appreciate that you acknowledged the limits of your knowledge of the subject and took the time to seek out an expert! I’m glad you and Maegan stressed that good design is accessible, and that everyone’s needs are different. Too often I see folks think there is a one-size-fits-all solution to design and that’s just really not the case. Your design should work for *you*, both aesthetically and functionally!
I’m in my late 30’s and I’m designing my own home to be built soon, and this article (and all topics) are so useful! Even if ageing might still be a long way for me, having awareness about making my home accessibility and disability-ready is very important. You just helped me redesign my floorplans before I finalize them. Thank you so much, Nick and Megan! More power to your website! 🥰🥳😘
Great article! Thanks Nick for adressing this important subject. These modifications arent just for the disabled but also great for seniors! When we built our bungalow, we had my current chronic illness needs in mind but also prepared for a worsening of my condition as I got older.. Sometimes i use a wheelchair so the builder made the doors wide, ooen concept floor plan, all one level etc. We even had the electrical outlets put to knee height so I could reach them while sitting in my chair. One of my favorite things is the main floor laundry closet ! Its perfect and the best part is that it doesnt LOOK like a house built for a disabled person. Noone would even realise if we didnt point it out.
Now that my mom is older and her needs are changing, I’m very attentive to practicality in my home. My mom is on the short size and is also losing hearing so she can’t reach upper cabinets and can’t use a ladder to reach higher or bend over too low because she loses her balance. I bought her a reachable wall mount task light so she could see her thermostat as he eye sight is not good. We replaced her queen bed with a twin so she had more clearance around the bed so as to not trip on anything. If home builders could just automatically start making some of these adaptations, life would be so much better for everyone.
This is so so important, people please consider these things. I had an accident that left me bedridden for about 6 months and could only move on a wheelchair in spite of being a healthy person in my mid 20s. The hallway to the bathroom and my bedroom was too narrow for a wheelchair so getting around was impossible. You never know when something will happen that could cause you or your family to not be able to go around inaccessible spaces you now think it’s not a big deal because you’re “young and healthy”
Thank you for covering this topic. I became disabled in 2017 and my home is really not accessible. I do have an elevator to get in to and out of my home, which is wonderful. I do wish I had an accessible shower though. Unfortunately, I’m only able to shower if someone is available to assist me in to and out of our unusually tall bathtub. In the bathroom, you did miss one subject…the toilet. Toilets are traditionally ridiculously low. I strongly recommend upgrading to a “comfort” toilet, even if you aren’t disabled. Your knees will love you for it and it makes it much easier for disabled people to sit down and get up again. And yes, beds are getting ridiculously high. I travel with a stepper like the ones you use at the gym to get in and out of hotel beds. I have a second stepper at home to assist with getting in to and out of the bathtub.
This is such an important issue with our aging population. I think a wall oven is a great choice for someone who can’t bend over to use a conventional oven. Don’t forget to make all of the doorways within the house wide enough for a wheelchair or a walker. A lot of people have storm doors and screen doors for practical reasons, but they make it very hard for a wheelchair to get in and out of a house. Thanks for the article, Nick!
I really appreciate this article. My parents are elderly (in their 90s) and I’m very aware of the difficulty they have navigating their home, which they bought over 20 years ago when they were both still very mobile. I’m no spring chicken myself and I’ve been remodeling my own home, building in accessibility where I think I might need it. This article was very helpful with this quest.
We had a house built after my husband wound up in a wheelchair. After twenty five years living in it, I have two suggestions to add to your well done article. First, check that the wheelchair can go under the sink(s) without the plumbing hitting the wheelchair users knees. Very important as they can injure themselves without knowing. A good plumber can tuck the plumbing up out of the way so this does not happen. Second, when it comes to storage in the bathroom and kitchen, drawers beat cabinets with doors hands down. Also, upper cabinets are not going to where you store the majority of your items. Down play these and put in windows instead, if you can….
I’m 60 and live alone, but with no mobility issues until 2 years ago when I slipped on mud and broke my leg in two places. Suddenly I found accessibility limited for months, and I decided that when I buy my retirement home in a couple years I will focus on the issues you address. Thank you for doing this article.
One of the reasons we bough our current home, is that if my disability gets worse and I will not be able to use the stairs, it will be possible to move our bedroom downstairs. Then I wouldn’t need to go up the stairs at all. Our house isn’t suitable for a wheelchair user but a walker would work fine. My father is disabled, but he uses a walker or a cane. One of the things I’m certain we need to change is adding a railing to our front steps. There are just 3 steps, but I have close familymembers who need the support to be able to get up. I also want to add a support railing next to our bathtub, because right now I’m just barely able to get out without one.
I work in home healthcare. I’ve seen a ton of homes that run the gamut in terms of style. Prolly the prettiest home I’ve ever worked in was a house that a couple built after the wife found out she had Parkinson’s. The level of care that was put into making sure that she’d still be able to be at home as her disease progressed was stunning. They had countertops that could be lowered to accommodate someone who was wheelchair bound, wide hallways with big pieces of artwork that made it feel almost like a museum, floors with traction for a wheelchair or walker, a gorgeous front yard with a ramp and hanging flowers that could be lowered so the wife could get to them to take care of them, a big, screened in patio with more live plants in vases chosen to be easy to reach from a wheelchair, a big bathroom with a high toilet that has space around it so we could help her, a walk in shower with a soft bench so she could easily get into the shower and have a comfortable place to sit, bright rooms with lots of natural light to keep her oriented to time and reduce hallucinations, their microwave was a drawer at waist height so she could reach down into it instead of up, no bumps in doorways for floor materials changing. Just everything was made with her condition in mind. There’s no need to sacrifice beauty for accessibility. And there is something truly beautiful about design that empowers people to stay in their homes with maximal autonomy.
Having watched my grandparents age in place and helping my parents as they transition to that as well, I can say that most people don’t consider that when considering home purchases. Case in point: My grandparents had moved from a home that was mostly all on one level to a two-story house and now they can’t really access the top half (they’re in their 90s so all in all, not bad.) My parents also live in a two-story house and now my mom can’t really access the top half anymore due to mobility issues that have gotten worse over the years, but she’s only in her 60s. Thinking about this ahead of time is something that should be encouraged more. I’m likely neurospicy myself – I know I have sensory issues and get “forgetful” (not that I forget something exists but if I’m not mindful about where something is I’m not necessarily going to recall where something is when I need it) and having lapsed on proper upkeep I now need to work on organizing again. While I like things behind drawers and doors (too visually stimulating otherwise), bins and labels are something that is helpful for lots of people with ADHD and other neurodivergencies with similar working memory issues. Of course, minimizing mental inventory by minimizing physical inventory is also key – you don’t have to be a minimalist to take advantage of decluttering excess that gets in your way.
Hey Nick! I used to be a rehab teacher for the Blind and visually impaired. I find your article was so helpful for so many people with disabilities and aging issues. Thank you so much for doing this article, I haven’t seen anyone else go into this subject matter. I love your website, and your personality. Keep up the great work!! ❤
Thank you for this article. My house is single story, for which I am now grateful as my knees are a problem. To think i used to envy people with 2 story homes! I have also realised the shortcomings of my house in relation to accessability. My sister lives in an assisted living facility which is totally designed for wheelchair access (both manual and electric). Last Christmas she came to my house with her support worker and was in her manual chair. We found that even though my house seems spacious enough, the doorways are barely wide enough for the chair – we would not have gotten her electric chair throught the front door!, the toilet room was way too small, and the space to manouver from room to room was cramped. It was an eyeopener, and made me aware of potential problems in the future, though hopefully not.
as someone with adhd I find that making sure everything I own has a specific station, and keeping similar themed items generally together when it comes to things less decor focused can help in lessening clutter. All my fiction books are together on one shelf, all my textile crafts have a shelf or a basket, all my art tools are together. So when I get to putting things away that there’s less mental pressure to decide on where to put it. Baskets and shelving units where containers can be labeled are also very useful in keeping categories together as well as having a ‘I’ll deal with it later’ basket for when the person is too overstimulated or too low brain energy to be able to put the items away (since putting away one thing usually means discovering more and more tasks which become quickly overwhelming, rather than merely looking at the small singular task one at a time). Really appreciate you making this article, Nick <3
Great article! Definitely some things to consider. There are adjustable shower heads where the bar that you slide the shower head up and down on is also a grab bar. We had our walk-in shower made with solid surface material with grooves cut into it like tile, smaller on the floor. Because, when you need a walk-in shower, you don’t need to be scrubbing grout!
We have an 1830s-ish family homestead that I’ll inherit, but my 80-year-old uncle currently lives in it. We’re planning a major renovation with the idea of him aging in place there, but there’s an issue with the old house having narrow doorways. perusal this article has made me consider all the kitchen cabinetry we bought last year that probably won’t be aging in place-friendly (although my uncle doesn’t cook, and he’s planning for in-home care). We’re converting a full bath on the first floor to a half bath laundry room combo, but maybe an area can be set off to accommodate a roll-in shower. Thank you for the food for thought on this subject!
Thank you for covering this subject. A lot of mobility accommodations are not made aesthetically because by the time people need them, they don’t have the time or money to make it beautiful. Better to design accessibly when you are young/healthy/employed, etc. if at all possible. I have a disability and am moving back to my childhood home, and my father suffered a stroke this year, so we’re working on how to make it all work.
Hi Nick, THANK YOU for this overview on accessibility in home design. There are so many ways that even one person can be disabled over time, for example hanging up a blouse when you have a frozen shoulder can be SOOOO much easier if your closet includes at least one low-hanging bar, or placing furniture or “towel bars” (including a cleverly reinforced bar that matches the real towel bars) within reach of a commode can make it much easier to sit and rise, or placing some kind of hinged cover on a low light switch can make it easy for a disabled adult to reach, while making it more difficult for children/pets to switch the lights off at an inopportune moment. It is a complex issue and each family is different (e.g. my relative who has eight grandchildren versus me living with two naughty dogs, including one who taught herself how to open the safety gate into the kitchen within about ten seconds!) High microwaves can be super dangerous when petite elders try to remove a bowl of boiling-hot soup from a microwave installed above their heads! Waterfall granite counter ends can be so pretty, but offer nothing to grab/grip when feeling weak/dizzy and trying to avoid a fall. Giant sectionals may offer only two places where an elder could use an “arm” to help hoist themselves up and out of a seated position. Invite all four grandparents over and suddenly only two of them feel welcome to join the family in perusal a movie. Empathy, compassion, and paying attention are all key.
Thanks so much! Thnx Meghan!These solutions are so often hideous and demoralizing for an already difficult long term situation. Grip bars on corridors and at stumble landing! Tactile difference for ID objects! (Severe bicycle rehabbing + 1 athletic still vertical MS lifer couple here. But as committed renters, this is/will be a challenge.) Could you address this type situation for non visually offensive degrading solutions? My in-laws had not addressed this for mom and with red carpet it was a nightmare. Soothing, lovely, easy-minimal surroundings are SO precious w/24/7 Pain, etc!
Thank You! As one of your viewers with a disability that impacts my home design and is dealing with adapting a home to accommodate parents aging in place; I really appreciate you covering universal design. Also thank you from someone who’s worked in the field of Human Factors. Accessible/universal design is just easier to use and safer for people without disabilities. “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman should be on the required reading list for anyone going into any aspect of design.
Thank you for making this! My boyfriend is a paraplegic wheelchair user, and prior to our relationship I had never thought about these things. But now that we live together, trying to find an accessible apartment (in an older US city) was rough. And finding a place with no stairs to enter/an elevator was SO expensive, since in our city apartments with these features are almost exclusively luxury high rises. Accessibility is for everyone <3
Minimalist design is perfect for handicapped people as it’s much easier to clean & get around stuff. Slab on grade is great for avoiding ramps & stairs, but a concrete floor is horrible for your joints & health long-term & especially if you’re prone to falls. Carpet or vinyl tile with a thick pad does well there. Having wide, uncluttered hallways & doorways helps for when emergency personnel have to come & get you, especially if they have to pick you up off the floor & move you around. Another issue if you’re prone to falls & injuries is to have push-pop openers for drawers & cupboards. Those modern, rectangular pulls & handles can be lethal! Even knobs & rounded handles can be dangerous too. Another thing that’s handy is if you’ve got the bathroom space, keep a bucket or trash can handy when you’re on the toilet & can’t reach the sink, otherwise keep those close in case of emergencies. Curbless showers are fantastic, especially if you can avoid having a door or glass walls which can pose safety hazards if you fall into the glass & it shatters – as well as for ease of cleaning. No handicapped person wants to waste their precious time & energy cleaning unnecessary things.
I love that you did this article! I have a son on the other side of this. He is able bodied however he has a different issue he is 6’8″. So many things are not built for him. It’s more than he’s just tall. Not having the right height counter tops and sinks are painful to work at/brush your teeth at. The standard height of the shower head, he has to squat down to get under to wash his hair, he has to watch ceiling fans and lights, etc. So this is a great topic for so many reasons. Always enjoy your articles.
Thank you for making a article like this! I think for many neurotypical and/or abled people something like accessibility is an afterthought. Not because they’re mean or want to discriminate, but because they have no need for it until something happens to them or a loved one (whatever that may be). As a plus sized individual I’ve always taken great care of having enough space for everything and everyone has a good way to navigate every space. At the same time I have been diagnosed with MS so a multitude of limitations may affect me in the future, for which I’m always planning ahead. Really loving the tips in this article as well as just the overall awareness it raises <3