Virginia Commonwealth University Masthead Logo VCU Scholars Compass Case Studies from Age in Action Virginia Center on Aging 2011 Universal Design in Housing Steve Hansler Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio (MAHO) Beth Glas Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio (MAHO) Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/vcoa_case Part of the Geriatrics Commons Copyright managed by Virginia Center on Aging. Recommended Citation Hansler, S. & Glas, B. (2011). Universal Design in Housing. Age in Action, 26(2), 1-5. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Virginia Center on Aging at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Case Studies from Age in Action by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Case Study Universal Design in of mobility and self-care limitations in this not-yet-built housing will Housing shows that people had one or both increase the likelihood that people limitations at a rate of 9.65% for will be able to remain in their by Steve Hansler, MSW and ages 60–64, 13.3% for ages 65–74, homes longer and function better as Beth Glas, MNO 25.8% for ages 75–84, and 49.8% they face aging-related disability. for ages 85 and older (NAIC, 1996). What is Universal Design? Educational Objectives It is important to consider the The housing concepts relevant to 1. Show how an aging population implications of these statistics for this discussion are visitability, increases the need for housing that housing and housing design. Smith, accessible design, and universal is accessible and adaptable. Rayer, & Smith (2008), writing in design. All three apply to any type 2. Define visitability, universal the Journal of the American Plan- of housing, although visitability design, and accessible design. ning Association, find that over the focuses primarily on single-family 3. Explain ways to approach uni- course of the lifespan of a new housing. Visitability is a newer con- versal design including key factors. house, there is a 25% chance that it cept emphasizing three elements 4. Illustrate how universal design will have a resident who needs full required for a person with a mobili- can be used in both renovation and accessibility, a 60% chance it will ty disability to visit a home: an new construction. have a resident who needs an adapt- accessible, no-step entry on an able house, and a 93% chance that accessible route; an accessible trav- Background the home will require visitability el path throughout the main level of features. A 2005 study by the the house; and a usable half or full The correlation between aging and Brookings Institution, as reported bathroom on the main level. Acces- disability has been well-document- by The New York Times columnist sible design refers to housing for ed. The U.S. Census Bureau reports David Brooks (January 19, 2006), with people with disabilities and that only 4.1% of Americans aged says that half of the homes in which usually assumes that the person 0–21 and 11.0% of those aged Americans will live in 2030 have uses a wheelchair or other mobility 21–64 had a severe disability, but not been built yet. It is also by 2030 aides; special design features are in the rate soars to 36.9% for those that the aging baby boom genera- place at the time of construction or aged 65 and older (US Census tion is likely to be experiencing renovation. Bureau, 2008). Among older adults, substantial rates of disability. Stud- disability rates continue to increase ies show that the vast majority of Universal design is on the spectrum with age. A study by the National people wish to remain in their of housing concepts between vis- Aging Information Center (NAIC) homes. The use of universal design itability and fully accessible hous- Inside This Issue: VCoA Editorial, 6 Legislative Breakfast Photos, 10 Age Wave Ready, 14 VDA Editorial, 7 VCoA Focus: Cecil Drain, 12 Aging, Obesity, Dollars, 16 Older Blind Grant, 9 Unequal Wealth Distribution, 13 Calendar of Events, 18 ing. Universal design is often mis- least 32 inches wide, 36 inches pre- maximum threshold is ½ inch understood; many erroneously ferred. The design must account for beveled and the entry door should assume it means that everything has a reach range of 18 to 54 inches, the be at least 36 inches wide. to be made accessible, regardless of low and high points a person using difficulty. Adaptive Environments a wheelchair typically can reach. Center, Inc. provides this definition: Any slopes, interior or exterior, “Universal design asks from the shall be no greater than one to 12: outset how to make the design work for one inch of rise, the length of beautifully and seamlessly for as the walkway/ramp needs to be one many people as possible. It seeks to foot (12 inches) long. This ratio is consider the breadth of human easiest to remember as “inches to Grading is the best way to achieve diversity across the lifespan to cre- feet,” thus a nine-inch rise requires an accessible travel path with a ate design solutions that work for a ramp at least nine feet long. minimal slope. If a ramp is neces- all users” (Valerie Fletcher, execu- Slopes greater than one to 20 sary, consider incorporating it into a tive director of Adaptive Environ- require handrails. There are many deck. Finally, automatic door open- ments, Inc., 2002). An academic other important measurements in ers are preferred for those who have definition of universal design, used terms of switches and controls, trouble with opening and closing by design professionals, includes space at doorways, and other items. doors. Lifts are an option, but are Seven Principles as developed by not preferred for the primary entry. the Center for Universal Design at When applying universal design to North Carolina State University. housing, the best approach is “Out- Next, we move inside to look at the They are: Equitable use; Flexible side In.” This approach examines general interior design elements. design; Simple and intuitive use; the design elements, ensuring the This refers to the housing itself, not Perceptible information; Tolerance necessary features are in place, common areas in a multi-family for error; Low physical effort; and beginning from the exterior and setting. Doors should have lever Adequate space for approach, reach continuing into and throughout the handles and be at least 36 inches and comfort. housing. Visualization of how a wide. Halls and openings should be person with a disability would man- at least 36 to 42 inches wide and Universal design makes housing age each part is often helpful. provide easy travel paths that avoid safer and easier for everyone trip hazards. Transitions should be throughout a lifespan, while antici- Let us begin with the exterior smooth with no more than ¼ inch pating and designing for future design elements. The site should be beveled. Consider the users both in needs. Any single home may con- as level as possible and avoid any layout and in materials and prod- tain various universal design ele- major grade changes. An accessible ucts used, e.g., low level carpet ments; there is neither one universal travel path with no steps must con- may be better for a person who design home nor a strict set of rules nect to all necessary amenities, walks with a cane and may slip, to build for. This flexibility is both including parking, sidewalks, while smooth flooring is easier for an opportunity and a challenge. streets, and public facilities like a person in a wheelchair. laundry rooms and building offices. Universal Design’s Key Elements Slopes on the accessible route shall We now get to the most challenging be within the limits previously area: the bathroom; it illustrates the The essential universal design mea- described. The entry to the building distinctions among the three levels surements are: Rooms must include itself should be covered and light- of design. Visitability only requires a 60-inch (five-foot) turning radius ed. The level (no-step) entry is one a usable toilet, which necessitates a for a wheelchair to turn, as well as a of the most important design ele- wide door and adequate space to 30 x 48 inch clear space next to ments and is also a part of visitabil- approach the toilet. Universal items that a person in a chair may ity. There must be adequate room to design and accessible design need to use, such as appliances. All maneuver at the doorway and a require those basics but also a sink doorways and openings must be at place to set down packages. The with a single-lever handle faucet 2 and adequate turning spaces. Both ering all aspects of how a person was conducive to a stair lift and design concepts require blocking in functions in the housing helps Gary is able to transfer from his the walls for grab bars; however, ensure that all elements are includ- wheelchair to the stair lift. accessible design would have the ed, whether one is a design profes- grab bars installed at the outset sional or simply someone wanting The main floor presented several while universal design would have housing to meet needs. challenges. The kitchen is small them installed as needed. Similarly, and, although Gary would not be the sink area would be open under- Case Study #1 cooking, he would need to travel neath in accessible design, while through the kitchen to get to the universal design would simply After a year in a rehabilitation facil- dining area and would need room to make it possible for the sink area to ity following a brain injury, 58- be in the kitchen with Ann when be open underneath with the initial year-old Gary had made significant she cooked.