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Community and Internet Resources


Housing: Universal and Accessible Design


National

Alpha One offers much information on low cost and low tech home modifications. Such information includes commonly used definitions, as well as modifications to consider in rentals' and existing homes' entrances, interior rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers a very comprehensive discussion of Universal Design Home Modification on their website. This web section offers interactive home tours, including modification designs for the kitchen, bathroom, doors and doorways, electrical, as well as for the home exterior. This section also offers a discussion of how one can go about finding solutions to individual needs. They offer a great checklist for use in determining if a home meets individual needs.

Center for Universal Design is a national research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products. The center completes design usability studies, finds solutions to design issues and accessibility needs, and offers universal design training. For more information, call (800) 647-6777.

Concrete Change is an international effort to make all homes visitable. Their website includes construction guidelines to make your home accessible, myths and facts about accessible housing, constructions costs, products, housing laws, and more.

Design Linc is an online resource offering information on accessible design products and services available to people with physical disabilities and their caregivers. Their website features design tips for the interior and exterior of an accessible home, links to government resources regarding accessible design, including ADA standards and specifications as well as links to other related websites.

Iowa State University's Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers information on community housing data and assessment, universal design and home accessibility information and links to other disability and housing information.

National Ag Safety Database (NASD) has developed a document that offers simple home modifications for individuals with disabilities. The document discusses modifications for wheelchair maneuvering, ramp-building, as well as accessible kitchen and bathroom design considerations.

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification offers extensive resources and information regarding home modification. Their website features a list of resources and national programs related to supportive housing and home modification. The site also offers a frequently asked question section, covering such topics as funding, construction, mortgages, etc. In addition to these offerings, there is also an online newsletter, a message board, an event calendar, and a list of helpful publications. For more information, visit their website.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers several resources on accessibility design. Information is offered on accessible housing designs, home accessibility modification funds, accessibility guidelines, and accessibility analysis of model building codes.

WheelchairNet offers a number of helpful accessibility tips for wheelchair users. Specifically, they offer a number links to helpful home modification and funding resources and articles.

State Listings

New York

Unlimited by Design, a program of the University at Buffalo in New York, develops resource materials and programs on accessible design, universal design, facilities management, as well as ergonomics and building regulations. They also provide design and consulting services for families and individuals, social service agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. To learn more about the center's programs and activities, call (716) 829-3485 ext. 329 (Voice) or (800) 628-2281 (TTY). You can also e-mail idea@ap.buffalo.edu.

Minnesota

Robinhood Corporation seeks to provide state-of-the-art accessibility products and consultation services to residential and commercial/institutional customers. Their goal is to offer products and services that promote healthy, dignified, and independent living for all customers, and to provide access solutions for the home and office. Robinhood Home Access Consultation and Design Services has been providing accessibility consultation to Hennepin County's Long Term Care programs for over three years and has developed a practical, affordable, and innovative approach to accessible housing. They further support the disabled community by giving back a portion of it's profits to research and charitable organizations which also promote dignity, independence, and equality for people with disabilities. For more information, write to Robinhood Corporation, Dan Augustine Accessibility Specialist, 3042 48th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406. You may also call (612) 724-1911 or e-mail dan@robinhoodcorp.com.

Wisconsin

Welcome, H.O.M.E. (House Of Modification Examples) is an accessible demonstration home located in Newburg, Wisconsin, just 30 minutes north of Milwaukee. Welcome, H.O.M.E. is a bed and breakfast where guests are encouraged to explore numerous and varied accessible home design ideas and adaptive equipment in a leisurely setting for only $50.00 per night. Welcome, H.O.M.E. provides two guest rooms and baths as well as a kitchenette, all fully wheelchair-accessible and featuring numerous accessible design ideas. Welcome, H.O.M.E. offers free tours to day visitors. If you intend to visit the Milwaukee area, we encourage you to stay at Welcome, H.O.M.E. To visit this unique wheelchair accessible country home, contact Welcome, H.O.M.E. at P.O. Box 333, 4260 West Hawthorne Drive (Hwy. Y), Newburg, Wisconsin 53060, call (262)675-2525, fax (262)675-0817, or visit their website.

Canada

Universal Design Institute is a non-profit organization offering comprehensive information on and training in the concept of Universal Design. They offer a number of helpful publications for sale via their website and also offer access consultant workshops to those interested in forwarding the concept of Universal Design. For more information, call (204) 474-6450.

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[Updated September 30, 2008]
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