Accessible Housing by Design: Universal Design Principles in Practice
The first-of-its-kind practical guide to integrating universal design features into all types of residencesThere's a large and growing market today for universal design in housing, but little information available to architects, builders, and developers on how best to achieve it.  In this first practical implementation guide for professionals, you'll learn how to incorporate the elements of universal design and barrier-free access easily, attractively, and at little or no additional cost.  Whether you're designing a single-family home or a large-scale retirement community, you'll be shown imaginative ways to seamlessly integrate into your plans such features as ramps, motorized stair lifts and elevators, hands-free controls, wheelchair access bathrooms and kitchens, roll-in showers, visual- and hearing-impairment aids, remote-control devices, and lots more.  Conveniently designed to place the information you need at your fingertips, the book contains:* Lavish color illustrations--including color photographs, plans, and detailed line drawings--of the best work* Eye-catching icons identifying the key accessibility features found in each project* Checklists for everything from entrances to landscaping* A directory of suppliers of accessible products* And much more!FLAP COPY Interest in--and demand for--universal design in housing has recently skyrocketed, due primarily to three factors: the changing demographics of an aging population, tough new state and federal mandates for providing barrier-free environments to disabled Americans; and the growing recognition that all people have differing physical and mental abilities.  But despite the interest and demand, there is surprisingly little guidance available to professionals on how to provide the elements of universal design in an attractive, cost-effective way.This book addresses that need.  It's the first practical implementation guide to designing residences that offer all the important features of universal design and barrier-free access, including:* Hands-free communications and controls* Ramps* Motorized stair lifts and elevators* Remote-control devices* Hearing-impairment aids* Visual-impairment aids* Bathroom and kitchen fixtures* Roll-in showers* Variable height countersThis one-of-a-kind book shows you imaginative ways that these elements and many more can be seamlessly integrated into a wide variety of residences boasting the highest standards of design quality--all for modest or no additional cost.  The lavish illustrations--which include 100 color photographs, architectural plans, and detailed line drawings--allow you to experience a wide sampling of the best work being done in residential universal design.  The examples include residences of all types and in all price categories, ranging from single-family homes to retirement communities.Designed with your convenience and ease-of-use in mind, this highly practical guide contains:* Eye-catching icons that immediately identify the key accessibility features found in each project* Checklists you can consult on everything from designing entrances to providing energy-efficient construction* A directory of places that supply accessible products and equipment for residential use* And much more!