Housing to Meet Special Needs of Families Competency 1.03

Universal design: is a concept that makes houses, buildings and their contents easier for every person to use regardless of age, physical characteristics, and abilities Developed by Ronald Mace at NCSU

Special Needs for Children Install gates at top AND bottom of stairs Store all household (cleaners, medicines, etc) behind locked doors Put plastic outlet caps over all unused electrical outlets Tie cords of blinds high so children cannot reach them Keep children away from any area that may have toxic or lead-based paints

Elderly Change all floors to be of one type (all wood, all vinyl) for better mobility. Remove all rugs so not to slip Provide safety bars in the bathroom near toilet and bathtub Provide safety seats in tubs Provide additional lighting in hallways and night lights Provide lever handles on doors

Impaired Mobility and/or Wheel Chairs Trim doorway thresholds so they are flush with floors Provide handrails on both sides of stairs and hallways. Should extend at least 18” beyond last step Grab bars in bath and rubber or non-slip flooring Seat in shower/tub, chairs with arms, place to sit while preparing meals, varied height counters, room for knee space

Impaired Vision Mark the flooring changes with wide strips of contrasting adhesive tape Use large type or Braille on any product that would be considered poisonous (household cleaners) Remove all furniture with sharp corners, glass tops, or that can turn over easily Telephone should have large numerals or Braille. Preprogram all emergency phone numbers

Hearing Impaired Install lighting to flash for doorbell, smoke alarms, and telephone Use portable vibrating timers in kitchen. TTY telephone (can type message into phone to be received)

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