Universal Design and Home Modification

1. This presentation will probably involve audience discussion, which will create action items. Use PowerPoint to keep track of these action items during your presentation • In Slide Show, click on the right mouse button • Select “Meeting Minder” • Select the “Action Items” tab • Type in action items as they come up • Click OK to dismiss this box • This will automatically create an Action Item slide at the end of your presentation with your points entered. Universal Design and Home Modification Tammy Richmond MS OTRL Tammyric@sbcglobal.net 310-612-1908

2. Definitions: • *Universal Design: The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design • Home Modification: Adaptations to products and environments that enhance comfort, safety, accessibility to increase functional independence and quality of life and decrease potential injury and safety hazards to all people w/UD principles *The Center for Universal Design; NC State University

3. Historical Impact Factors: • Aging in Place • Lifespan has increased to 76 • 40 million people over age 65 by 2010 • 8.6 million people have difficulty with one or more ADLS (activities of daily living) • 4.1 million need personal assistance • People want to stay in home/community • Legislative Changes • Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 • Mandated all buildings be designed, constructed, altered or leased w/federal funds be accessible • Section 504 of the Rehab Act of 1973 • Illegal to discriminate on basis of disability to all institutions or activities receiving fed funds

4. Factors continued: • Education for Handicapped Children Act of 1975 • Now called IDEA; guaranteed a free, appropriate education for all children w/disabilities • Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 • Required accessible units be created in all new multi-family housing w/4 +unit both public/private regardless of funding source • Americans w/Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) • Uniform nationwide mandate to ensure accessibility; ADA Standards for Accessible Design • Telecommunications Act of 1996 • Mandates that telecom. services, equipment and customer premises be accessible; I.e. assistive technologies

5. Factors continued: • Adaptive, ugly, expensive vs. attractive and marketable (“Good Grips” for kitchen ware) • Advances in Rehabilitation engineering and Assistive Technology (OT) • Demands of integration into mainstream by individuals (aging, physically challenged) • Globalization of marketplace • Therapeutic adaptations to Bill Gates house • Products readily available OTC vs specialty • Image vs function

6. 7 Universal Design Principles • Equitable Use • Provide the same means of use for all people • Provisions for safety, security and privacy • Design appealing to all users • Flexibility in Use • Provide choice of methods in use • Accommodate left/right, accuracy, users pace • Simple and Intuitive • Eliminate complexity • Consistent w/users expectations • Accommodate diverse literacy/language • Provide prompting/feedback

7. Principles continued: • Perceptible Information • Design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless or ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities • Tolerance for Error • Minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions • Low Physical Effort • Design can be used efficiently and comfortably and w/minimum fatigue • Size and Space for Approach and Use • Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility

8. Home Modifications Guidelines • Integration of the UD principles and features • Goals: maintain independence, privacy and control over environments • Safety, comfort, prevent injuries, facilitate access to community and social activities and services • Structural and non-structural • Both external and internal features • Assess, Modify and Resource

9. Implementation: • Professionals • Architects, contractors, designers, planners, agencies/organizations, health care providers, policymakers • Agencies/Organizations • AARP; www.aarp.org • National Research Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications; www.homemods.org • Rebuilding Together; www.rebuildingtogether.org • The Center for Unversal Design; NC State University; www.design.ncsu.edu/cud

10. UD/HM Assessments • UD Performance Measures for Products • See Handout of UD • Occupational Therapy • OT Evaluation • Home Assessment for UD • Home Safety • Written Report w/recommendations • Therapeutic Interventions • Modifications or add-ins of non-structural features • Therapy; ther-ex, balance, low vision, assistive technologies, community integration • Resource to professional services • Resource to support services

11. UD/HM Application • Safety, user friendly, therapeutic • Entrance/doors • Interior circulation • Vertical circulation • Hardware • Home Automation • Light and Color • Switches and Control • Room by Room

12. Overall Features: • Home automation • Motion detection lights • Remote controls for appliances, etc. • Doorbell intercoms connected to phones • Alarm systems that have sound/light • Hardware • Lever door handles • Loop handles on drawers/cabinets • Touch latches/magnetic latches • Push plates • Switches/controls • Light switches 44-48”; easy touch rocker or hands free • Electrical outlets at bed and desks 18” min • Display • High contrast graphics, redundant signals, alarms

13. Overall Features: • Light/Color • Color contrast between floor surfaces and trim. No glossy. • Color contrast between stair treads and risers • Color contrast between countertops, front edges • Lighting at key risk areas • Use of yellow or blue • Careful w/over stimulation • Color coding • Entrance/Interior • Accessibility of walkways, entrances, handrails, slopes, lighting, stops • Circulation routes of 40” • Non slip floors, low pile • Storage; adjustable, lights, shelving • No clutter, area rugs, level thresholds, safe textures

14. Specific Features: • Kitchen (common area of injury) • UD Clear knee space • UD Variable height work surfaces • Contrasting borders • Continuous countertops • Adjustable shelving • Full ext/pull out drawers, shelves and racks, lazy susans • Front mounted controls • Cooktop/range w/staggered burners • Glare free lighting • Side by side refrigerator w/pull-outs/bev dispenser • Built in oven w/knee space • Single lever water controls at all plumbing fixtures/faucets • OT: dycem, special utensils and dinnerware, special cutting utensils/board, added grips and safety items

15. Specific Features: • Bathroom (common area of falling) • Extra wide entry • Curbless roll-in shower (5x3) or transfer shower w/seat (3x3) • Grab bars where needed in shower, tub, toilet areas • Easy reach controls • Hand held showers w/60’ adjustable • Anti scald valves • Non slip bottoms • Toilet space (3x5) 18” from others • Toilet bowl height (18”) or raised seat • 30x48 free area in frt of bathroom fixtures • Tilted and/or extended mirrors • 32” sink height w/knee space • Extra lighting/night lights • Phone • Emergency pull cords

16. Resources: • See handout • OTs; www.otaconline.com • USC; Nat. Research Cntr • www.homemods.org; cert. Classes • California Dept of Aging • www.aging.ca.gov • State Independent Living Council • www.calsilc.org • The Center of Universal Design • www.design.ncsu.edu/cud