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In the late 1980's, Ron Mace developed the concept of Universal Design. It is time we followed through to implement this idea that would bring everyone together equally in ways that civil rights legislation has fallen short. With Universal Design, products and environments, such as homes, are usable by as many people as possible. Traditional designed homes have been the norm for decade, if not centuries. These homes with their built-in obstacles, such as stairs and narrow doorways, exclude many people from living in or visiting them. Universal Design features are for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. From a no-step, covered 36" entryway, into a 48" hallway, 36" interior doorways, 60" turnaround space in the bathroom and kitchen, the homes further accommodate everyone with accessible switches and handles: finally a Welcome Home.
Consider the real possibility that your major lifetime investment in a home will at some point evict you because it can no longer accommodate you. Disability occurs at anytime to anybody. As people age, the likelihood that some form of limitation or loss, mentally or physically, becomes more real. Common sense tells us that living in a home where we can Age in Place is the preferred mode of living out our lives. If not in a Home for a Lifetime before retirement, most seniors are looking for safer, more accommodating living situations for their latter years. Most older homes don't meet people's basic needs as they become more frail. Rehabilitating an older home to your changing needs may be too costly, or not possible. A Universal Design Home adapts to you, rather than the individual adapting to the home. Universal Design allows everyone to live independently as one ages. Nursing homes are not the preferred choice for our latter years.
The long-term segregation of people with mobility and other impairments from most neighborhoods is in good part due to obstacles, such as stairs, narrow doorways, hallways, and unusable bathrooms. Universal Design opens doors and arms to everyone. Is this not an opening for everyone to take the opportunity to come closer together? If we all have the same needs, why not universally bring people together by eliminating potentially hazardous obstacles, and opening our immediate world into cities of Universal Design homes?

All of us should have the option of living where we choose, within our financial means. More individuals need to learn that a better option is waiting for them. If more buyers demanded Universal Design, architects and builders could comply.

Join with the Universal Design Housing Network in making Universal Design the next generation of housing. Universal Design Housing will be more prominent as time passes. It is up to us to see that this great equalizer becomes accepted and adopted now.

Paul H. Levy, Founder