Universal Design: 

At Ralph Jones Home Plans, we incorporate many of the aspects of Universal Design while designing a new home especially when families desire to age gracefully in their new home, regardless of their current age and physical abilities (or disabilities). As needs arise in any family dynamic, regarding accessibility issues within a home design, if you are building a new home and if you don’t want to move again, there are some simple things you can do to plan ahead for future accessibility needs you may experience later in life or as a result of some type of accident or disease. 

A true Handicap Accessible design is a bit more in depth and will vary depending on the accessibility needs of the disabled individual and what their roll is within the family. The house is literally designed around the needs of the handicapped individual. Our goal in regards to Universal Design is most often, simply put, “planning ahead for inevitable accessibility issues.” Not everyone will become permanently disabled, but most of us will experience seasons of life that include periods of weakness, balance issues, walking problems, sight and hearing deficiencies, so lighting, use of space and ease of movement through the home are at the heart of the design. 

Universal Design in our line of work incorporates elements in the design where all spaces can be used by each member of the family regardless of ability or disability, now or in the future. It’s that simple. For the typical family, one doesn’t need roll-up sinks or lowered counters and cabinets in order to reach items to cook a meal. One might equate Universal Design to a “Handicap Lite”, or “Handicap Friendly” design. The whole idea is to make the spaces convertible to full handicap accessible should the need actually arise, but otherwise, to make it ready for handicap helpful products as one ages in place.

We can do that gracefully.

If you are not currently disabled in any way, just imagine what it might be like to be unable to walk well, maybe you are in a wheelchair temporarily, or need a cane or walker for a while during an injury recuperation season.  Maybe you have a balance issue and occasionally need something to hold onto until a dizzy spell passes. What if you are a left-handed person in a right-handed world. What if, as a former athlete, you have had multiple knee surgeries and it is difficult to stand up from a seated position (such as in the bathroom). Imagine if you have a difficult time standing for long lengths of time, so standing in the shower becomes a quick necessity as opposed to an enjoyable, warm, relaxing experience where you could bask forever in the flow of warm water to regenerate mind and body after a long day’s work. Providing grab bars, a seat in the shower, wider hallways and doors so that anyone, regardless of their physical health status, can enjoy the home easily and without frustration. THIS is living.

We can help you with all of these design issues. It does not need to look industrial. It doesn’t need to feel like a hospital, it can be homey yet with simple additions it can be easily planned to provide just those things you need at the time you need them. It also doesn’t need to be expensive. If you don’t need grab bars now, but you plan to stay in this home for a long time or even forever, we can specify bracing in the walls prior to sheet rock so that when the time comes for hand rails and grab bars, they are simply installed for the cost of the products themselves, rather than a whole renovation. Spend a tiny amount of money on the front end so that you don’t have to spend a LOT of money later. 

To make wider hallways and doors, this does add cost to your new home, but again, it is much less expensive to plan for these things in advance, rather than to try to retrofit unique items into your home after construction. 

If Universal Design is something that concerns you, we will help you realize your goals.