Accessible housing is
not just a good idea for those who need it - it is also a requirement to live
independently. Some newer houses are built with accessibility in mind and there
are many products available to make your home more accessible.
Universal
Design
Universal design
features are very user friendly and intended to meet a variety of access needs.
This is a popular approach to modern building design, and although some features
may be more expensive in the short run, they are usually very cost effective
when it comes to overall accessibility.
Easter
Seals, Easy Access Housing
Easter Seals assists more than one million children and adults with disabilities
and their families annually through a nationwide network of more than 450
service sites. Each center provides top-quality, family-focused, and innovative
services tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular community it
serves. This resource page from the Easter Seals website, offers a simple
checklist as a guide for what to look for in an accessible home, and to help
point out what features are necessary for homes to be adapted to accommodate
persons with many different kinds of disabilities.
The
Center for Universal Design
The Center for Universal Design is a national research, information, and
technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal
design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products. This
website is helpful for architects and other professionals that design homes for
persons with disabilities and their families.
Disability
Resources, Inc.
Disability Resources, Inc. is a nonprofit organization established to promote
and improve awareness, availability, and accessibility of information that can
help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work, and play independently.
There are a number of accessible design resources on this valuable web page.
AARP
AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs
and interests of persons 50 and older. At this link, you will find valuable
resources on universal design.