Building or Remodeling a
Farmhouse for a
Lifetime of Living
Universal Design for Better Living
Universal Design
Universal design is 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.
Ron Mace
Universal Design for Better Living
Definitions
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Accessible Design – usable by people with
disabilities
Universal Design – appealing & usable by
all people, including people with
disabilities
Visit-Able Design – essential features of
universal design
Universal Design for Better Living
Universal Design for Better Living
Program
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Situation: People want to “age in place” –
but homes not designed for changing
needs
Purpose: Universal design can facilitate
“aging in place”
Funding: Iowa Department of Elder
Affairs
Universal Design for Better Living
Program Components
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Gadget Kits
Display Trailers
Web Site: Universal Design & Home
Accessibility
Teaching Guides
Universal Design for Better Living
Five Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Universal Design: Better Tools for
Everyday Tasks
The Easy-Visiting Home
The Essential Bathroom
Update Your Home for a Lifetime of
Living
Planning a Community Event
Universal Design for Better Living
Lesson Components
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Background readings
Teaching materials
Activities
PowerPoint presentations
Handouts
Set mini-goals
Participant evaluations
Instructor feedback
Universal Design for Better Living
The Easy-Visiting Home
Universal Design for Better Living
Start with the Basics
(Easy-Visiting or “Visit-ability”)
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Can visitors get in the house?
Can visitors get through the doorways?
Can visitors use the bathroom?
Universal Design for Better Living
Benefits of no-step entrances
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Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
to
to
to
to
carry groceries
push a baby stroller
move furniture
visit
Universal Design for Better Living
Easy-visiting entrance
Universal Design for Better Living
A ramp is an ugly solution
Universal Design for Better Living
A home with a no-step
entrance can be beautiful
(And look like any other home in the neighborhood)
Universal Design for Better Living
Universal Design for Better Living
Universal Design for Better Living
No-step
entrance
Universal Design for Better Living
Lighting above
address
Lever door
hardware
Doorbell with
light
No-step entry
Universal Design for Better Living
Threshold transition less
than ½”
Non-slip flooring
Universal Design for Better Living
What about no-step entrances
on challenging sites?
Universal Design for Better Living
Let car climb steep driveway to nostep porch entry
Universal Design for Better Living
A “bridge” can stretch across a
ditch
Universal Design for Better Living
What about remodeling an
older home?
Universal Design for Better Living
Before:
1870s house with steps
Universal Design for Better Living
After: 1870s house with nostep entrance
Universal Design for Better Living
Low-cost access in rural Iowa
After: No steps
Before: Steps
Universal Design for Better Living
Full-sized bath on main level
Universal Design for Better Living
An Easy-Visiting Bathroom
This
Not this
Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family & guests
Universal Design for Better Living
The Essential Bathroom
Universal Design for Better Living
Start with full-size bathroom on
main level
Universal Design for Better Living
Essential Features
(universal design features)
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Open floor space
(5-foot turning circle)
32 inch doorway
(preferably 36)
Shower (usually) or
tub
Universal Design for Better Living
Open floor space & wide doorways
This
Not this
Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family & guests
Universal Design for Better Living
Shower (36” x 36”)
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Shower usually more
convenient than tub
36 x 36 size -- easy to
reach controls from
seated position
Can sit or stand to
shower
Universal Design for Better Living
Adjustable shower
head
Removable
seat
Bathtub Alternative
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Hand-held adjustable
shower head
Faucet controls offset for easy reaching
from outside tub
Anti-scald controls
Universal Design for Better Living
The Extras
Other universal design features to
add convenience and comfort
Universal Design for Better Living
The Extras
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Lowered mirror
Non-slip flooring
Removable base
cabinet front
Continuous flooring
under lavatory
Raised toilet
Universal Design for Better Living
The Sink
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Color contrast
between counter
& sink
Single-lever faucet
Large, low mirror
Low energy
nightlight
Universal Design for Better Living
Gadgets & Gizmos
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Shampoo & soap
dispenser
Universal Design for Better Living
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Easy-change toilet
tissue holder
Plan for the future
By including universal design features
now, you won’t be forced to move or
remodel if needs change in future.
Universal Design for Better Living
Convenient now—and in future
Open knee space for seated users
Universal Design for Better Living
Open knee space under counter
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Convenient for
wheelchair or
seated users
Electronic faucet –
no handles to turn
Large, low mirror
Lighting from top to
bottom
Universal Design for Better Living
Grab bars can be added later
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Fold-down grab bar
Grab bar in
vertical position

Universal Design for Better Living
Remodeling an existing bathroom
for wheelchair users
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Tub with transfer seating area
“Transfer shower” (36” x 36”)
Tub replacement shower (36 x 60”)
Roll-in shower (60” x 60”)
Universal Design for Better Living
Electronic toilet seat lifter
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No remodeling
required
Remove existing toilet
seat & bolt on lifter
Plug into electrical
outlet
Push button to raise
& lower seat
Universal Design for Better Living
Update Your Home for a
Lifetime of Living
Universal Design for Better Living
Can your home pass 3 tests?
1.
2.
3.
Easy-visiting
Easy-living
Easy on the budget
Universal Design for Better Living
1. Easy-visiting test
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No-step entrance
Full-sized bathroom on main level
Bedroom on main level
Universal Design for Better Living
Easy-visiting entrance
Universal Design for Better Living
New entrance
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No steps
Covered entry
Package shelf
Lever handles
Motion lights
Chair for resting
Universal Design for Better Living
Remodeled entrance
Front entrance with steps
Universal Design for Better Living
Side entrance no steps
Easy-Visiting Bathroom
This
Not this
Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family & guests
Universal Design for Better Living
Full-sized bath on main level
Universal Design for Better Living
Bedroom on main level
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Convenient for
guests
Place to recuperate
after an illness
Future main
bedroom if steps
become problem
Universal Design for Better Living
2. Easy-living test
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Space for activities
Safety and security
Convenience and comfort
Universal Design for Better Living
Plan quality space for hobbies
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Seated work
area
Extra storage
space
Good lighting
Clean-up sink
Art room for active artist
Universal Design for Better Living
Plan for security and safety
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Power-failure lights
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide
detectors
Motion-detector
lighting
Security system
Universal Design for Better Living
Plan for convenience & comfort
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Light switches at
waist level
Rocker switches
Universal Design for Better Living
Doors
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36 in wide
Lever handles
Universal Design for Better Living
Laundry Room
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Laundry on main floor
Raised access laundry
Front loading
machines
Built-in
ironing board
Universal Design for Better Living
Garage Entrance
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Handrails on
both sides of
steps
Extended
handrail at top
and bottom of
stairs
Shoe bench near
garage
Universal Design for Better Living
3. Easy on the budget
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Home energy audit
Energy Star® appliances
Energy-efficient replacement windows
Passive solar (new windows on south)
Universal Design for Better Living
Universal design invites a lifetime of living
Universal Design for Better Living
Learn more about universal
design
 Iowa State University Extension Web Site
on Universal Design & Home Accessibility:
 www.extension.iastate.edu/universaldesign
 Visit Universal Design Learning Lab on ISU
campus:
 Call 515-294-6568 to make appointment
Universal Design for Better Living
Teaching Tips
Computer access is essential
 All materials available on Web site:
www.extension.iastate.edu/universaldesign
 Gadget kits available from Area Agencies on
Aging or selected ISU Extension offices
 Adapt lessons to suit your needs
 Ask questions
 Send feedback
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Universal Design for Better Living
Planning a Community Event
Universal Design Display Trailers
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Bathroom Trailer (2 bathrooms)
Kitchen Trailer (kitchen prototype modules)
Universal Design for Better Living
Contact
Mary H. Yearns
Extension Housing Specialist
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-8520
yearns@iastate.edu
www.extension.iastate.edu/universaldesign
Universal Design for Better Living