Universal Design Universal design is intended to benefit everyone, not just the elderly or physically challenged.

1. Universal DesignUniversal design is intended to benefit everyone, not just the elderly or physically challenged.

2. Choose a single-level house. Try not to have stairs.A one-story house will be more convenient for you, your family and visitors. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

3. Slope the entrance to your house. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

4. Make all doors and hallways wide. Wheelchairs require 36 inches of clearance. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

5. Provide plenty of adjustable lighting. Vision often declines with age. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

6. Opt for levers, not knobs, wherever possible. Levers are easier for most people to grasp. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

7. Build closets in the same spot on all floors, if you have a multi-level house . The closets could eventually be converted to an elevator shaft, if needed. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

8. Create smart kitchen storage. Make sure you can access the items you need and have room to open cabinet doors without knocking into a wall, cabinets or island . Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

9. Install grab bars in your bathrooms. Or, at least prepare the walls to easily accommodate grab bars in the future. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

10. Consider locating the heating and air-conditioning unit on the main floor. Stairs leading to the basement might become inconvenient. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

11. Wire for the future. Your home's wiring should be able to accommodate flashing emergency lights, which could be installed if a hearing impairment renders sound -based smoke detectors less helpful. Here are some universal design strategies to consider:

12. The more integrated the design elements are, the less visible they become.

13. A convenient pull-out counter beneath a built-in oven allows for easy transfer of dishes.

14. An adjustable-height sink raises and lowers at the push of a button, and is loaded with easy-access features.

15. A contrasting tile border aids those with limited eyesight and adds visual appeal.

16. A raised, front-loading washer and dryer set makes doing laundry easier for those in wheelchairs.

17. A large open space under the sink allows for the positioning of a wheel chair, and faucets located near the front edge of the counter make them accessible

18. Pull-out cabinetry makes reaching to the back of cabinets unnecessary Notice the wide, uncluttered floor space and the space allowed between the floor and bottom cabinets.

19. Windows are arranged so that the views can be enjoyed from a sitting position. The transition from inside to outside is made easier by avoiding steps and bumps at the doorway

20. Design the floor so that a wheel chair could easily roll into the shower. Provide ample support bars. Choose levers, not knobs.

21. This shelving unit rises and lowers at the touch of a button for easy access.

22. Ironing board slides out and can then be adjusted for height.

23. Tub has wide ledges, several support bars, easily accessible faucet controls and ample floor space.

24. Sink height is adjustable, faucet has levers, toilet is raised off the floor making cleaning easier, sliding pocket door means less room is required for clearances.

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26. Living Areas

27. Adaptations for Special Needs - Entryways • Improve accessibility to entryways and foyers: • Provide enough space to permit the door to open a full 90°. • Use lever handles instead of doorknobs. • Use an entry door at least 34" wide.

28. Adaptations for Special Needs – Living Areas • Make living areas accessible to everyone who uses them. • Improve accessibility to living and family rooms: • Place living areas at grade level. • Provide a clearance of 4' to 5' around furniture for wheelchairs. • Provide firm seats and cushions for wheelchair transfer. (Continued)

29. Adaptations for Special Needs – Dining Room • Improve dining room accessibility: • Provide clearance for wheelchair armrests and sufficient leg space. • Choose widely spaced table legs or pedestal supports. • Allow at least 32" around furniture for wheelchairs. • Choose hard surfaces or low-pile carpet. (Continued)

30. Adaptations for Special Needs – Outdoor Living • Improve accessibility to patios, porches, and courts: • Provide a ramp with a slope between 1:12 and 1:20 for wheelchair access.

31. Sleeping Areas

32. Adaptations for Special Needs – Sleeping Areas • Make sleeping areas accessible to everyone who uses them. • Improve bedroom accessibility: • Place shelves 18" to 45" above the floor. • Use shelving no deeper than 16". • Have clothing rods 40" to 48" high. • Provide a 5' x 5' clearance in front of closets for wheelchairs. (Continued)

33. Adaptations for Special Needs – Sleeping Areas • Improve bedroom accessibility (Continued): • Have doorways at least 3' wide. • Use a firm mattress level with the wheelchair seat to allow easy transfer to the bed. • Allow a clearance of 10" to 13" under the bed for wheelchair footrests. • Place a phone and light controls at bedside.

34. Adaptations for Special Needs - Bathrooms • Improve bathroom accessibility: • Provide a 5' x 5' turnaround space for wheelchair users. • Tilt the mirror slightly forward for better viewing or install a full-length mirror. • Mount medicine cabinets so the top shelf is no higher than 50-1/2" from the floor. • Provide sufficient knee space beneath lavatories. (Continued)

35. Adaptations for Special Needs - Bathrooms • Improve bathroom accessibility (Continued): • Allow 26" to 30" of vertical clearance under the sink for wheelchair armrests. • Provide a 36" space for the water closet to accommodate wheelchair users. • Have the water closet seat 20" high. • Consider special-made shower stalls that are accessible to wheelchairs. • Install temperature-control devices.

36. Service Areas

37. Adaptations for Special Needs - Kitchen • Make service areas accessible to everyone who uses them. • Improve kitchen accessibility: • Lower the work areas and adjust the heights of sink and cooking areas. • Provide space for wheelchairs. • Provide a space of 6" deep and 8" to 11" high for wheelchair footrests. (Continued)

38. Adaptations for Special Needs - Kitchen • Improve kitchen accessibility (Continued): • Add an overhanging counter to provide knee space measuring 28" to 30" wide, 27" to 30" high, and 21" to 24" deep. • Consider if an electric range is safer than a gas range with an open gas flame. • Have drawers, not shelves, in base units. • Install ovens at convenient heights. (Continued)

39. An Accessible Kitchen WhirlpoolCorporation

40. Adaptations for Special Needs - Kitchen • Improve kitchen accessibility (Continued): • Consider lazy Susans for corner cabinets. • Make the bottom shelf of a wall cabinet no higher than 17" above the counter. • Use adjustable shelves and wall cabinets. • Use roll-out bins, racks, baskets, and shelf trays to make base cabinets more usable. (Continued)

41. Accessible Storage WhirlpoolCorporation

42. Adaptations for Special Needs – Laundry Room • Improve accessibility to the clothes care center: • Consider stacked appliances for someone using a cane, walker, or crutches. • Have washer and dryer openings at armrest height for people in wheelchairs. • Use sturdy platforms under appliances to achieve ideal height. • Select appliances whose controls are easy to see and reach. (Continued)

43. An Accessible Dryer WhirlpoolCorporation

44. Adaptations for Special Needs - Garage • Improve garage accessibility: • Provide a minimum length of 24' to move around a vehicle. • Plan a minimum of 5' on the side of the car for a wheelchair. • Allow a width of 12' to 14'-6" for one car and a wheelchair.

45. Adaptations for Special Needs – Dining Room • Improve dining room accessibility: • Provide clearance for wheelchair armrests and sufficient leg space. • Choose widely spaced table legs or pedestal supports. • Allow at least 32" around furniture for wheelchairs. • Choose hard surfaces or low-pile carpet. (Continued)

46. Adaptations for Special Needs – Outdoor Living • Improve accessibility to patios, porches, and courts: • Provide a ramp with a slope between 1:12 and 1:20 for wheelchair access.