By Lynn B. Johnson, MFA, APR
Universal Design is when products and spaces are specifically designed to be usable by all people.
When updating your home for a resident with disabilities, Universal Design is one option to consider, but this design principle may not be all you need, says Daniel Lemaster, Home Modification Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD).
“Universal design is a way of making sure the home can be used easily by most everyone. But, this may not meet someone’s individual needs. With any home modification,” Daniel said, “you must look at the whole person and the entire space they want to use.”
“That’s why it’s so important to talk to an expert before you adapt your living space for safety and accessibility,” he says.
Daniel is an Occupational Therapist certified in CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist). Last year, he and his Cuyahoga DD colleagues received 540 referrals for home modification evaluations.
While planning home modifications for increased accessibility, think ahead. If you’re modifying your home to help your child with a disability, think about how those spaces will be used once that child reaches adulthood.
Getting Clean, Easily
Bathrooms bring many modification options. “Sometimes, if it’s just a balance issue, our therapists would recommend a walk-in shower with a bench or grab bars, or a roll-in version with a shower chair. We can also do ceiling tracking from the bed to the shower, using a sling, which is a great option for smaller homes,” he says.
Consult the Experts
Daniel recommends people who want to update their home for better accessibility reach out to experts. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has a list of certified Aging in Place specialists. You can also hire a general contractor with a CAPS certification.
Daniel recommends that you consult one more professional to ensure great results. “An Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physical Therapist (PT) staff can evaluate your home and offer personalized recommendations, to make sure it suits your family’s needs.”
“Adaptations and home modifications are part of their education,” he said.
Every Project’s Goal
Ultimately with home modifications, safety is the need, but independence is the want.
“It’s all about being able to do what you couldn’t before,” Daniel says. “With our home-modification project designs, we’re looking for reactions of joy.”
Accessible home modifications may include:
- Door handles instead of knobs
- Light (rocker) switches at 4-feet or lower
- Lighting that meets your needs for each room
- All door widths at 32”or greater
- 5-foot x 5-foot minimum radius on landings or between furniture and walls
- ADA Toilets: 18-19” seat height (instead of 15-16”)
- Modular ramps from driveway to front door, with 5’-radius at doorway landings
- Hand rails and grab-bars firmly anchored where you will use them
- Bedroom and full bathroom on the ground floor of your home
- Removing rugs and other tripping hazards
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