Universal Design - Beginnings

The very basics to help facilitate aging in place and accommodating people with disabilities throughout a building.
Do it right the first time so you don't have to redo it
Look to CSA standards which exceed the Ontario Building code
Parking for people with disabilities close to the entrance of the building*
Curbs: No curbs beside parking spots - curbs eliminate spots for people trying to exit cars with side loading ramps. Curb cuts beside parking not in front of it - do not make people have to go behind parked cars to get to curb cut*
Broom surface cement is a good surface for everyone. No bricks, cobblestones or Mexican tile.*
Absolutely flat entrance - even ½ inch can stop a wheelchair*
No weather proofing strip at door. Either recess it into floor or put it on door bottom. Weatherstripping can stop a wheelchair.
Automatic front door, if possible. Automatic inside doors if money not an issue.
Long vertical opener on door inside and out of front door. Allows short, tall and/or seated person to open door almost equally but seated is always going to have more trouble.
If door is glass have it etched with a pattern or buy one with a pattern so people with vision impairment will know if it is open or closed
Good task lighting at door for safety and security*
Absolutely flat floor inside. No steps or lips to mail boxes or out of lobby.*
Contrast colours of floors and wall so vision impaired can tell where they are easily.*
Braille on elevator inside and out, on front, sides, and buttons Stainless or some kind of reflective back on elevator so people in facing back can see what floor they are on. A talking elevator might be bothersome to apartment owners near it. See what is available in elevators taking blind and deaf and otherwise physically disabled into consideration before ordering. Buttons must be low for kids and people using mobility devices.
Lowered windows throughout.*
Halls to give 5' turning radius.
All doors 36 inches wide.*
No lips on interior doorsills.*
Lever handles on all interior doors including closets.*
Easy turn deadbolts on all doors*
Lowered and regular peepholes on doors.
D-shaped handles on cupboards everywhere.*
Pot drawers if possible
Raised electrical outlets*
Lowered light switches or dimmers. Low thermostat placed so it is not blocked by furniture.*
Plenty of low electrical outlets in bathroom and bedroom for any equipment needed.
Five foot turnaround space in bathrooms if shower is complete roll in with no lip, space can be used for turnaround,
Transfer space beside toilet 3" (one side and front will do).
Lever handles on sink, tub and shower, no knobs. Think about not having bathtub but large total roll-in tiled showers in all units. This automatically gives more turnaround space in bathroom.*
Lowered mirror over sink - mirror should begin at sink.* Great for kids and people using wheelchairs, etc. No wall-mounted medicine cabinets - drawers instead.
Reinforcing material in walls beside and behind toilet and around tub/shower area so that grab bars can be installed at various heights and handheld shower head can be installed at any time and wall doesn't have to be taken apart.

* Doesn't necessarily cost more, just takes pre-planning

For further discussion, names of suppliers, etc. contact:
Linda Crabtree, CM. O.Ont., O.M.C., B.A., LL.D.(hon)
linda@lindacrabtree.com or (905)685-0496 May/2005