What is Universal Design Housing Network

Why Universal Design Housing Network

Our Concept

General Guidelines for Residential Construction

 

 

What is Universal Design Housing Network?

Universal Design promotes safety, comfort and convenience. Above all, everyone profits from and enjoys the luxurious feel, ease of movement, and simplicity of design.

Safety:

We are six times more likely to have an accident at home than at work. Universal Design minimized the possibility of accidents. The design of the home is easy to understand regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills or concentration level.

 

Examples of safety features are:

§         No-step entryways reduce likelihood of tripping

§         Slip-resistant flooring in kitchen and bath prevent falling

§         Front loading washer and dryer raised for access minimizes straining and injuries

§         Offset water controls on shower and tub eliminate burning or freezing

§         Bench or wide tub edge offers safety for children and others

§         Integral or portable tub seat permits relaxed, safe bathing

 

Convenience:

Appropriate size and space are provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use of appliances, sinks, bathrooms and other areas. This is true despite the user's body size, posture or mobility. Controls facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.

 

Features that promote convenience are:

§         Entry door of 36" minimum width permits moving large objects

§         Interior doors of 32 - 36" width make movement easier, safer.

§         Hallways of 48" width allow ease of movement of large objects.

 

Comfort:

Physical effort and repetitive actions are minimized. Reach to all components in the home is comfortable for any seated or standing user. Lever or loop handles are used on doors and faucets. Such handles allow operating when hands are full, or hand movement is limited.

 

Comfort features include:

§         Switches and thermostats less than 48" above the floor for everyone to use.

§         Outlets placed more than 15" above the floor reduces bending.

§         Removable cabinet fronts at sink with insulated pipes for seating access.

§         Varied height counters accommodate seated, tall or short people.

Why Universal Design Housing Network?

Selecting the right home is one of the most important decisions a person makes. Often people faced with having to live with built-in obstacles think that all houses have the same limitations.

Traditionally, homes have been designed for individuals with average physical attributes only. A Universal Design home responds to recurrent problems by opening up pathways and making areas more functional for everyone. The concept of Universal Design is to plan products and environments to be usable to the greatest extent possible by people of all ages, sizes and abilities.

It only makes sense to design homes that can last a lifetime. Remaining in a home should be our option. We should not be evicted by our house when it can no longer accommodate us. Everyone wants to continue enjoying all aspects of their home, as they age.

Traditional housing often fails to respond to people's basic needs as their mobility and skill levels lessen. Friends, family members and others with physical or mental limitations feel more welcome to visit a home if it is accessible, Further, rehabilitating older homes my be impossible or too costly. Universal Design eliminates potential emotional or financial headaches by creating home anyone can use.

Our Concept

For as long as The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City has been providing medical, rehabilitation and vocational services to people facing disabling conditions, the same problem has persisted. After services are completed here, many people return to an inaccessible home that no longer accommodates them. Now an answer enters the picture, Universal Design Housing.

The concept of Universal Design is to provide environments and products that are usable to the greatest extent possible by people of all ages, sizes and abilities, while promoting safety, comfort and convenience. No step entry, wider doorways and hallways, more space in bathroom and kitchen are minimal changes that make a big difference. It only makes sense to design homes that can last a lifetime. Remaining in a home should be each person's option. People should not be evicted by their house when it can no longer accommodate them. Friends, family members and others with physical or mental limitations feel more welcome to visit a home, if it is accessible. Further, rehabilitating older homes may be impossible or too costly.

In 1998, the Universal Design Housing Network begin to reach out into the community of agencies that provide housing and services to people with disabilities and the aging. Also included were architects, designers, attorneys, builders, City and Federal agency representatives, and other interested persons. . Today many agencies and individuals are regular participants in educational, advocacy, and model home building efforts. Tax exempt status was granted in the fall of 2001. The Universal Design Housing Network's Mission is to positively affect the public's knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of Universal Design in home construction; and to promote construction of more homes utilizing universal design features.

The Network's process is a series of steps:

§         Education about what Universal Design is and its numerous advantages over traditional housing. In addition to talking about Universal Design, literature, videotape, and this Website all explain Universal Design and the work of the Network.

§         Advocacy to promote Universal Design Housing as a preferred choice for future homeowners, and builders. This is accomplished by small group meetings, seminars, conferences, and public displays.

§         Model Home Building brings to life vividly what we are explaining by means of video, seminars, and literature. The Universal Design Housing Network builds at least one model home each year for tours, demonstrations, seminars, news media coverage. The home is held open for up to a year, then sold at or below cost. The two-fold objective is to educate about Universal Design, while revitalizing the City's urban core.

§         Replication: What works for the Network is definitely worthy of repeating elsewhere. Universal Design is the next generation of Housing everywhere. The National Association of Home Builders, and others have been saying this. Legislation across America is steadily entering Universal Design on the books as the preferred mode of housing for everyone regardless of age, size, or ability. The Universal Design Housing Network has been very successful in seeing Universal Design homes built in other areas near and not so near the Kansas City metropolitan area. What the Universal Design Housing Network creates as a successful model is to be replicated in cities across America and beyond.

General Guidelines for Residential Construction

Zone Locations are Whole House Zone, Entry Transition Zone, Kitchen Zone, Bathroom Zone.

Whole House Zone

§         Switches and thermostats less than 48" above floor

§         Outlets between 15" and 24" above floor

§         Walk-in closets with adjustable height rods

§         Window height at 36" above floor or less for sill height. 5.7 sq. ft. min. egress in bedrooms

Entry and Transition Zone

§         Covered entry

§         Threshold less than 1/2". No step and a max. 1:20 slope on walks

§         Door width to be 36" min. with lever type handles

§         Door approach to have 12" push clear and 18" pull clear on lever side of door

§         Hallway to be 48" wide and 36" access to both sides of bed

§         Wheelchair turning space to be 60" clear

§         Slip resistant flooring in kitchen and bath

§         Parallel and forward approach maneuvering space in front of appliances and plumbing fixtures

Kitchen Zone

§         Stove to have front mounted controls

§         Vent hood to be switched at wall

§         Multiple level countertops and work spaces (or adjustable)

§         Removable cabinet fronts at sink with insulated pipes

§         Dishwasher raised 6" to reduce bending

§         Single lever faucet controls on plumbing fixtures

§         Pull out shelves in base cabinets with additional full length pantry shelves

§         Front loading washer and dryer raised for access

Bathroom Zone

§         Wall mounted lavatory with insulated pipes

§         Integral or portable tub seat

§         Blocking for handrails at tub and toilet

§         Lower mirror to backsplash

§         Hand held shower head and offset control area to outside

§         Toilet seat at 19" above floor

 

 

 

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