Most of the time, when someone mentions or asks if a home is American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, images of misplaced ramps, metal grab bars in the bathrooms, or an awkward looking kitchen, come to mind.
However, that’s not the case anymore! As home builders are integrating what is known as a universal design, where a home can be comfortable for anyone whether they have a disability or not.
What is Universal Design?
The National Association of Home Builders specifically describes the universal design as: “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.”
Here are a few examples of this concept:
- Wide doorways – this not only makes access into the home easier for wheelchairs, but it also makes it easier to move large furniture in-and-out of the home.?
- Extra floor space – by making the rooms a little larger than normal, it gives the rooms a feeling of openness and provides more space for people in wheelchairs to move around.
- Wider hallways – this makes it easier to move things from room to room and gives the home a less-cramped feeling.
- Single-story homes – everything is located on the same level and makes getting around the entire home easier with fewer boundaries. This is a great option because it not only makes the home appealing to those in wheelchairs, but also for people that are elderly or anyone that has trouble with stairs.
As you can see, these ideas are subtle enough that they can actually work towards everyone’s benefit, without creating a space that is too specific toward any one disability.
Why it Matters in Selling Your Home
By either having your home built with the universal design concept in place, or remodeling your home later, these concepts open your home to a larger market of buyers; because you’re not limiting anyone due to restricted access to your home.
This universal design is completely ADA compliant and makes listing your home more desirable to more people and a larger market overall.
Many of the following concepts can be integrated into existing homes, and might be worth considering, even if you have no need to make your home ADA compliant:
- Good lighting – this can benefit people with poor vision and makes seeing things easier for everyone. Maybe a skylight in the kitchen would be nice?
- Non-slip surfaces – these are a great idea for everyone, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where water spills are more likely to happen. A decorative non-slip matt in the bathtub or next to the kitchen sink are easy and inexpensive options.
- Lever door handles – these work great for anyone that has poor hand strength or if your hands are full and you aren’t able open the door that has a round knob.
- Flush thresholds – these just make good sense and prevent people from tripping. They also make sweeping and cleaning easier since dirt won’t accumulate easily at the base of the door.
As mentioned in a previous post this month, if you are looking to make any improvements on your home, make sure you talk to a certified professional
Wishing you joy in your home!
~Sandy