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Favorite Links Central - Home improvements
Universal & Barrier Free Design
Accessible Home Improvements
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Remodeling and
accessibility for
disabled persons
and the elderly
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Find great
deals and do all
of your
shopping online
without having
to stand in line
at the store!
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Universal Design is the Concept of designing buildings, homes, businesses, offices, commercial buildings, travel, communications, information
technology and policy to be usable by the widest range of people without special or separate design.
Most simply, Universal Design is human-centered design of everything with everyone in mind.
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Many of the features that are common in older building such as narrow doors, steps or curbs at entrances, crowded or
narrow store aisles, are all barriers that can effect access by people with disabilities.
Removing barriers by ramping a curb, widening an entrance door, installing visual alarms, or designating an
accessible parking space is often essential to ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
Removing these and other common barriers can sometimes be simple and inexpensive but in other cases it can be
difficult and costly. For this reason the regulations for the ADA provide a flexible approach to compliance. This practical
approach requires that barriers be removed in existing facilities only when it is readily achievable to do so. The ADA
does not require existing buildings to meet the same standards as for newly constructed facilities.
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The Center For Universal Design
Environments and Products for all people
http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/index.htm
The Center for Universal Design is a national information, technical assistance, and
research center that evaluates, develops, & promotes accessible and universal design in
housing, commercial and public facilities, outdoor environments, and products.
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Center for Inclusive Design And Environmental Access
http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/Services/HomeMods/index.asp
The IDeA Center provides design and consulting services for families and individuals,
social service agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. Projects include workplace
modifications, home modifications, home designs, renovation designs for group homes
and a building signage system
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Federal accessibility standards - Architectural Designs
United States access board
Facilities that are federally funded must comply with accessibility standards under the
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). The ABA applies to facilities designed, built, altered, or
leased with federal funds. Several agencies maintain ABA standards which are being
revised according to guidelines the Board jointly updated under the ABA and the ADA.
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Information and technical assistance on the Americans With Disabilities Act
http://www.ada.gov/
Locate information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, find design standards,
technical assistance, code certifications, new and proposed regulations, mediation
programs and more
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The Institute for Human Centered Design
http://www.adaptenv.org/index.php?option=Home
A 30-year-old international nonprofit organization, based in Boston, committed to
advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing strands for people
of all ages and abilities. Expertise in legally required accessibility
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United Design Accessible Home Plans
http://www.uniteddesign.com/accessible_plans.html
As a pioneer in the Universal Design arena for more than a decade, UDA now offers
alternate Accessible Versions of 77 Ideal Home Plans, all designed for comfort and
livability.
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Open Sesame
Remote control door
systems
http://www.opensesam
edoor.com/
At the touch of a
button, the Open
Sesame automatic
door opener gives
complete
independence to enter
and exit a building.
can be operated with
a variety of wheelchair
mounted remote
controls, wall push
pads and other
specialty controls
customized to
accommodate almost
any physical disability
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Private Door
Affordable door
openers for the home,
office and commercial
doors
http://www.privatedoor.c
om/
A Private-Door
automatic door opener
automates the entrance
doors to homes,
condominiums,
apartments and offices.
Can be installed on
virtually any existing
home or office door.
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Remodeling for accessibility can take on many different approaches depending upon the specific needs of an
individual. Some features such as wheelchair ramps may not be needed for a person without mobility problems.
Other options such as shower grab bars may benefit people with many different types of disabilities. When making
home modifications these options should to be considered in the pre-planning stages. Making changes in the
middle of a remodeling project can be difficult and costly.
There are literally thousands of modifications that can make safe and independent living at home a reality for many
people with disabilities. The majority of modifications address issues of entering or leaving the home, circulating
from room to room and between floors, bathroom and kitchen usage, and sleeping quarters. But any area of the
home may need to be modified to meet the needs of an individual.
There can be two reasons to include universal design features in a home. One is to meet an immediate need; the
other is to plan ahead to make the home better fit household needs now and for the future as part of normal home
up-grade or remodeling projects.
Home modifications required to meet an immediate need are typically undertaken out of desperation-to
accommodate an elderly relative, a special physical need, or a temporary disability. Planning is done quickly and
without adequate research. Budget limitations allow for few trade-offs. Work is accomplished in haste, without time
for cost efficiencies.
Planning for aging and potential market edge, comes from far-sighted homeowners who anticipate their own, their
family’s, and guests’ possible future physical limitations and changing needs. These individuals incorporate
select universal products and designs as they up-date or remodel their homes. The costs of their remodeling
projects are not necessarily higher as they create marketable, attractive, comfortable homes for a lifetime.
Although there are not specific guidelines established in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that addresses
residential single family homes there are specific issues that effect multi-family/apartment dwellings. Most
individual state and county building codes that effect single family home construction are required to meet or
exceed Federal standards. In some instances I have included references to specifications with-in the ADA or the
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) guidelines. These references are not meant to indicate a specific
guideline that must be followed. You should check your local building codes for exact requirements.
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