Accessible and Universal Design in Housing

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Accessible and Universal Design in Housing
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• Universal Design Visitability Conference
• Columbus, OH
• July 14, 2006

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Maximum Independent Living History

• Started in 1981
• In 1984, opened the first accessible, affordable
  housing for people with mobility disabilities in
  Northeast Ohio
• Developed, own, and manage 5 apartment
  communities for people with physical
  disabilities.
• Received Maxwell Award for Excellence in 1999.

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Presenter

• Stephen Hansler
• Executive Director of Maximum Independent Living
  since 1984
• Has served on numerous advisory boards including
  the Ohio Governors Council on People with
  Disabilities.

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Laws Governing Housing

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has
  virtually nothing to do with housing.
• The Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) applies to
  all housing of four or more units including
  for-sale townhouses in clusters of four or more.
• There are no federal or state laws mandating
  accessibility for single family housing.

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Visitability Laws are Here

• A number of communities have adopted visitability
  laws.
• Typically, they require that new homes have
• At least one no step entry
• Wide doors throughout the main level
• A toilet and sink on the main level that is
  usable by a person in a wheelchair.

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Accessible vs. Universal Design

• Designed with people with disabilities in mind.
• Usually assumes that the person uses a
  wheelchair.
• Special design features are installed immediately.

• Designed with everyone in mind.
• Assumes that people will have varying abilities
  and disabilities throughout their life.
• Special design features are planned for but not
  installed until needed.

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Universal or Accessible?
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Universal or Accessible?
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Universal or Accessible?
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IMPLEMENTING ACCESSIBLE AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN
THE BASICS
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BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS

• Both Accessible and Universal Design in housing
  have similar basic design elements
• A Practical way to design is to use an Outside
  In Approach
• This mean starting from the exterior and making
  sure the design elements are in place as you work
  your way into and through the housing

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Exterior Design Features

• Site should be as level as possible
• Level (No-Step) Entry
• Wide entry doorway (at least 36)
• Accessible Travel Path
• Cover at entry
• If a ramp is necessary, consider incorporating it
  into a deck

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Exterior Elements

• Accessible Travel Path No Step Entry
• Level Site Wide Entry Door
• 
  Cover at Entry

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Ramp incorporates deck
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General Interior Design Elements

• 36 inch doors throughout
• Lever door handles
• Easy travel paths and avoid trip hazards
• Think about lighting and contrast
• Lowered light switches and raised outlets
• Consider the users in both in layout and in
  materials and products used

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Doorways and hardware
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Thinking about the user

• Window slides side to Thermostat
  set
• side for easier opening at a
  reachable
• 
  height

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Key Interior Elements

• Lever Door Handle Wide
  Hallway
• Lower Lockset No Trip
  Hazards
• Handrail on Wall
• Lower Peephole

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Alternative to a Closet Door

• Closet Doors are often a problem for people with
  disabilities. Using a curtain as shown solves
  that problem
• Accordion Doors are easier to use than bifolds

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Kitchen Design Elements

• Good turning spaces
• Cabinets and work surfaces of varying heights and
  having some pull out shelves
• Good lighting
• Sinks open underneath or can be made that way.
• Movable carts as part of work space
• Hardware and pulls that are easy to use

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Kitchen Design Example

• Good turning spaces
• Space for Microwave
• Usable Sinks

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Kitchen Cabinetry Basics

• Pull out Shelving
• Sink Open Underneath
• Easy to Use Pulls
• Lower Upper Cabinets

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Kitchen Cabinetry Options

• Moveable Cart Pull Down Racks
• flush with counter above open
  workspace

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Multiple Use Kitchen Island
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Kitchen Appliances

• Side by Side Refrigerator
• Range that has front controls and flat cooktop
• No clear answer on ovens- both wall mounted and
  under counter have pros and cons
• Shelves for hot foods on near cooking areas
• Dishwasher mounted higher
• Good space for a microwave

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Recommended Appliances
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Shelves to put hot food on
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Critique these kitchens 1
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Critique these kitchens 2
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Bathroom Features

• Blocking for Grab Bars
• Sink open underneath or can be made that way
• Roll In Shower
• Adequate turning spaces
• Door that can be made to open out or a sliding
  door

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Bathroom Elements

• Door that opens out Blocking for Grab
  Bars
• is easy to
  put in before
• 
  the wall goes in

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Sink Options
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Roll In Shower
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Prefab Roll In Showers
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Bathroom Details
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Some Bad Examples
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Miscellaneous Features

• Picnic Table made accessible simply by leaving
  off one bench
• Mailboxes mounted at a lower height

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So Why Use Universal Design?
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Universal to Accessible

• Moving from Universal Design to Accessibility
  would be a small step- but since we dont want to
  use steps lets call it a smooth transition
• Most fully accessible design is also universal
  design as it is usable by everyone
• And remember that

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Accessible Design is for PEOPLE with disabilities
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THANK YOU