1. Building or Remodeling a Farmhouse for a Lifetime of Living
The image at the bottom of the page is the symbol or logo for universal design – a stylized house with a no-step entrance.

2. Universal Design
Universal design is 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.
Ron Mace

3. Definitions Accessible Design – usable by people with disabilities
Universal Design – appealing & usable by all people, including people with disabilities
Visit-Able Design – essential features of universal design

4. Universal Design for Better Living Program
Situation: People want to “age in place” – but homes not designed for changing needs
Purpose: Universal design can facilitate “aging in place”
Funding: Iowa Department of Elder Affairs

5. Program Components Gadget Kits Display Trailers
Web Site: Universal Design & Home Accessibility
Teaching Guides

6. Five Lessons: Universal Design: Better Tools for Everyday Tasks
The Easy-Visiting Home
The Essential Bathroom
Update Your Home for a Lifetime of Living
Planning a Community Event

7. Lesson Components Background readings Teaching materials Activities
PowerPoint presentations
Handouts
Set mini-goals
Participant evaluations
Instructor feedback

8. The Easy-Visiting Home
The universal design logo image is shown at the bottom of the page – a stylized house with a no-step entrance.

9. Start with the Basics (Easy-Visiting or “Visit-ability”)
Can visitors get in the house?
Can visitors get through the doorways?
Can visitors use the bathroom?

10. Benefits of no-step entrances
Easy to carry groceries
Easy to push a baby stroller
Easy to move furniture
Easy to visit

11. Easy-visiting entrance
The image shows a house with a no-step entrance. There is a roof overhang to protect visitors from rain. There is a shelf near the door for setting down packages. The house numbers have large lettering and there is a light above to illuminate them. The door has a lever handle.

12. A ramp is an ugly solution
Photo shows an unattractive ramp that has been attached to the front porch to provide access to the house for wheelchair users. The ramp barely fits between the porch and a tree in the front yard.

13. A home with a no-step entrance can be beautiful
(And look like any other home in the neighborhood)

14. Photo shows an attractive new home with front entry porch.

15. Photo shows the entry drive on the new home that provides easy access to front porch and no-step entrance.

16. No-step entrance
Photo shows another view of the no-step entrance at the front porch. The sidewalk connects smoothly with the front porch.

17. Lighting above address Lever door hardware Doorbell with light
Photo shows no-step entry. The street address has large numbers with a light above to illuminate it. The front door has lever door hardware. The doorbell is lighted.
No-step entry

18. Threshold transition less than ½”
This photo shows the front entry door open with a very low threshold transition – less than ½ inch. The front entry has non-slip flooring.
Non-slip flooring

19. What about no-step entrances on challenging sites?

20. Let car climb steep driveway to no-step porch entry
Photo shows a steep driveway in front, but a car or van can do the climbing to provide access to the no-step entry at the front porch.

21. A “bridge” can stretch across a ditch
Photo shows how a wooden “bridge” can be used to stretch across a ditch to make a no-step entry.

22. What about remodeling an older home?

23. Before: 1870s house with steps
Photo shows the front porch of an 1870s house with five steps in front – a difficult challenge for wheelchair accessibility.

24. After: 1870s house with no-step entrance
This shows an “after” photo of the same front porch with a graded earth-berm on the side to provide a no-step entrance. This is much more attractive than putting a ramp on the home.

25. Low-cost access in rural Iowa
After: No steps
The two photos show “before” and “after” illustrations on the front porch of an older farm home. The “before” photo shows several steps leading to the front door. The “after” photo shows how a raised circle driveway has been created to make it level with the floor of the front porch. The lift on the wheelchair van can be unloaded directly onto the front porch to provide easy access for the wheelchair user. The porch roof provides protection from rain and snow.
Before: Steps

26. Full-sized bath on main level
The illustration shows a 5-foot turning circle of open floor space – the minimum that is required to make a bathroom accessible for wheelchair users.

27. An Easy-Visiting Bathroom
This
Not this
The first photo shows a bathroom with adequate floor space for wheelchair accessibility. The second photo shows a wheelchair that can barely squeeze through the bathroom door, but it will be impossible to close the door and use the facilities because of the inadequate turning space.
Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family & guests

28. The Essential Bathroom
The universal design logo appears at the bottom of the page – a house with a no-step entrance.

29. Start with full-size bathroom on main level
The illustration shows a 5-foot turning circle in a bathroom, the minimum that is required to make a bathroom accessible for wheelchair users.

30. Essential Features (universal design features)
Open floor space (5-foot turning circle)
32 inch doorway (preferably 36)
Shower (usually) or tub
The illustration again shows the five-foot turning circle that is required to make a bathroom accessible for wheelchair users.

31. Open floor space & wide doorways
This
Not this
The first photo shows a bathroom with adequate maneuvering space for wheelchair users. The second photo shows a bathroom that is too small for a person who uses a wheelchair to be able to get in, close the door, and use the facilities.
Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family & guests

32. Shower (36” x 36”) Shower usually more convenient than tub
36 x 36 size -- easy to reach controls from seated position
Can sit or stand to shower
Adjustable shower head
The photo shows a “transfer shows” which is 36 inches by 36 inches in size. The shower contains an adjustable shower head and a removable seat.
Removable seat

33. Bathtub Alternative Hand-held adjustable shower head
Faucet controls off-set for easy reaching from outside tub
Anti-scald controls
The photo shows a bathtub that is an alternative to a “transfer shower.” It features a hand-held adjustable shower head, faucet with off-set controls that are easy to reach from outside the tub, and anti-scald controls.

34. Other universal design features to add convenience and comfort
The Extras
Other universal design features to add convenience and comfort

35. The Extras Lowered mirror Non-slip flooring
Removable base cabinet front
Continuous flooring under lavatory
Raised toilet
The photo shows a bathroom vanity with open space under the counter for easy wheelchair access.

36. The Sink Color contrast between counter & sink Single-lever faucet
Large, low mirror
Low energy nightlight
The photo shows a large vanity with green countertop and contrasting white sink. The faucet has single-lever control.

37. Gadgets & Gizmos Shampoo & soap dispenser
Easy-change toilet tissue holder
The first photo shows a shampoo and soap dispenser with push-button controls. The second photo shows an L-shaped toilet tissue holder that is easy to change with one hand.

38. Plan for the future
By including universal design features now, you won’t be forced to move or remodel if needs change in future.

39. Convenient now—and in future
The photo shows a large bathroom with L-shaped vanity area. There is open space under the counter to provide easy access for seated users.
Open knee space for seated users

40. Open knee space under counter
Convenient for wheelchair or seated users
Electronic faucet – no handles to turn
Large, low mirror
Lighting from top to bottom
The photo shows a wheelchair user who is able to reach electronic faucets because open knee space is provided under the counter.

41. Grab bars can be added later
Fold-down grab bar
Grab bar in vertical position 
The first photo shows a fold-down grab bar next to the toilet that is in the up, vertical position. The second photo shows a woman folding down the same grab bar into a horizontal position.

42. Remodeling an existing bathroom for wheelchair users
Tub with transfer seating area
“Transfer shower” (36” x 36”)
Tub replacement shower (36 x 60”)
Roll-in shower (60” x 60”)

43. Electronic toilet seat lifter
No remodeling required
Remove existing toilet seat & bolt on lifter
Plug into electrical outlet
Push button to raise & lower seat
The photo shows a woman demonstrating an electronic toilet seat lifter.

44. Update Your Home for a Lifetime of Living
The universal design logo – a house with a no-step entrance – is shown at the bottom of the page.

45. Can your home pass 3 tests?
Easy-visiting
Easy-living
Easy on the budget

46. 1. Easy-visiting test No-step entrance
Full-sized bathroom on main level
Bedroom on main level

47. Easy-visiting entrance
The image shows a house with a no-step entrance. There is a roof overhang to protect visitors from rain. There is a shelf near the door for setting down packages. The house numbers have large lettering and there is a light above to illuminate them. The door has a lever handle.

48. New entrance No steps Covered entry Package shelf Lever handles
Motion lights
Chair for resting
The photo shows an older woman at her front door. She has set down shopping items on a nearby package shelf.

49. Remodeled entrance Front entrance with steps Side entrance no steps
Photo shows the front porch of an 1870s house with five steps in front – a difficult challenge for wheelchair accessibility. The second photo shows an “after” photo of the same front porch with a graded earth-berm on the side to provide a no-step entrance. This is much more attractive than putting a ramp on the home.

50. Easy-Visiting Bathroom
This
Not this
The first photo shows a bathroom with adequate maneuvering space for wheelchair users. The second photo shows a bathroom that is too small for a person who uses a wheelchair to be able to get in, close the door, and use the facilities.
Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family & guests

51. Full-sized bath on main level
The illustration shows a 5-foot turning circle of open floor space – the minimum that is required to make a bathroom accessible for wheelchair users.

52. Bedroom on main level Convenient for guests
Place to recuperate after an illness
Future main bedroom if steps become problem
The photo shows a bedroom with generous space on each side of the bed so that wheelchair users can maneuver easily.

53. 2. Easy-living test Space for activities Safety and security
Convenience and comfort

54. Plan quality space for hobbies
Art room for active artist
Seated work area
Extra storage space
Good lighting
Clean-up sink
The photo shows an older woman sitting in her hobby room that has a lowered counter with open knee space underneath.

55. Plan for security and safety
Power-failure lights
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Motion-detector lighting
Security system
Photo shows smoke detector with flashing lights mounted on wall near ceiling.

56. Plan for convenience & comfort
Light switches at waist level
Rocker switches
First photo shows woman reaching rocker light switch at waist level. Second photo shows rocker light switch that it easier to use than traditional toggle switch.

57. Doors 36 in wide Lever handles
Photo shows older woman using lever handle on door.

58. Laundry Room Laundry on main floor Raised access laundry
Front loading machines
Built-in ironing board
First photo shows washer and drive that are raised above the floor approximately 12 inches. The second photo shows an ironing board that folds down from a compartment in the wall.

59. Garage Entrance Handrails on both sides of steps
Extended handrail at top and bottom of stairs
Shoe bench near garage
The photo shows a bench near the garage entrance. An older woman is sitting down to take off shoes that she wore out in garden.

60. 3. Easy on the budget Home energy audit Energy Star® appliances
Energy-efficient replacement windows
Passive solar (new windows on south)
The illustration shows the Energy Star registered trademark logo.

61. Universal design invites a lifetime of living
The photo shows an older woman walking out the no-step entrance of her home to greet a friend.

62. Learn more about universal design
Iowa State University Extension Web Site on Universal Design & Home Accessibility:
Visit Universal Design Learning Lab on ISU campus:
Call to make appointment

63. Teaching Tips Computer access is essential
All materials available on Web site:
Gadget kits available from Area Agencies on Aging or selected ISU Extension offices
Adapt lessons to suit your needs
Ask questions
Send feedback

64. Planning a Community Event
Universal Design Display Trailers
Bathroom Trailer (2 bathrooms)
Kitchen Trailer (kitchen prototype modules)
The photo shows two Iowa State University display trailers with the back doors open and ready to host visitors.

65. Contact Mary H. Yearns Extension Housing Specialist
Iowa State University
Ames, IA