Universal Design (UD)
If universal design is to succeed, builders must embrace the concept. The following sites provide information about universal design for builders. It is vital that contractors understand the need to embrace the concept of universal design so they can build housing for all members of society. That being said, there are many different interpretations of what Universal Design should include.
The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University was a longtime leader in the field of UD. According to their website, "The Center for Universal Design was established in 1989 under a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) as the Center for Accessible Housing with a mission to improve the quality and availability of housing for people with disabilities, including disabilities that result from aging. Guided by the vision of founder Ronald L. Mace, FAIA, the Center developed a successful program of assembling and disseminating existing information and created new, landmark materials on accessible housing." Even though the Center is no longer funded, the principles established by the Center are still widely recognized, especially through the RL Mace Universal Design Institute.
The RL Mace Universal Design Institute is a respected nonprofit organization, providing a information concerning the removal of barriers for those investigating the concept of universal design. The Housing section of their site includes information about:
Also, on their site, you will find a helpful Universal Features List.
Additional Information for Builders
Building and Preparing a Safe Room: In the wake of the tornado in Joplin, this page from FEMA provides a variety of information on how to make a safe room a part of an UD home.
The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University was a longtime leader in the field of UD. According to their website, "The Center for Universal Design was established in 1989 under a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) as the Center for Accessible Housing with a mission to improve the quality and availability of housing for people with disabilities, including disabilities that result from aging. Guided by the vision of founder Ronald L. Mace, FAIA, the Center developed a successful program of assembling and disseminating existing information and created new, landmark materials on accessible housing." Even though the Center is no longer funded, the principles established by the Center are still widely recognized, especially through the RL Mace Universal Design Institute.
The RL Mace Universal Design Institute is a respected nonprofit organization, providing a information concerning the removal of barriers for those investigating the concept of universal design. The Housing section of their site includes information about:
- Multi-family Housing
- Accessory Dwellings
- New Homes
- Adapting Homes
- Older Adults
- Accessible Housing
Also, on their site, you will find a helpful Universal Features List.
Additional Information for Builders
Building and Preparing a Safe Room: In the wake of the tornado in Joplin, this page from FEMA provides a variety of information on how to make a safe room a part of an UD home.