Bathrooms
- Grab bars to grasp whether using a toilet or getting into and out of a shower are essential and designs today look sculptural. If homeowners aren't yet ready to incorporate this feature they can have blocking installed behind walls, which will cut the expense later.
- Abundant lighting for overall ambience as well as tasks is essential and special waterproof incandescent lights should be placed in the ceiling of a shower and over a tub for extra care.
- Showers should have a step-free entry and many tub models are available with a door that allows a person to enter. Both should be fitted with a seat, hand-held sprayers, anti-scald valves and niches to hold soap and shampoo at a level that can be reached.
- Floors should be slip-resistant wood, vinyl or tile with a lot of grout for traction.
- The height of counters should be flexible, but 34" allows someone in a wheelchair to pull up to a sink. "That counter also should have a kneehole for comfort," says Markman-Stern.
- All cabinets and drawers should be fitted with levers rather than knobs.
- A comfort-height toilet model should be selected that's 2" higher than normal and easier to transfer onto from a wheelchair; a wall-flush valve makes flushing easier.
Landry Room Equipment
- Front-loading appliances are easier to reach than top-loading models.
- Access among levels. In multi-story homes, an elevator can be installed for those not able to climb stairs, or if not needed a space the size of a closet can be left to finish later.
How much does it cost to make these types of changes in the home?
While some developers, builders, architects, designers, and even homeowners have resisted incorporating universal design from fear that it will increase costs, most in the field say the expenses are fairly small, compared with overall housing costs and paybacks.