Fact Sheet: Expanding Implementation of Universal Design Housing

Fact Sheet Expanding Implementation of Universal Design and Visitability Features in the Housing Stock

Full Report

Overview

According to an AARP survey, 90 percent of adults age 50 and older would prefer to stay in their homes while they age. However, as these adults continue to age, they may begin to face obstacles within their home environment that make living independently a challenge. This AARP fact sheet discusses home design issues that could arise as one ages and the possibility of implementing universal design and visitability features in the housing stock in order to combat these issues.

Key Points br

The fact sheet provides an introduction and brief overview of the importance of implementing universal design and visitability features, as well as examples of universal design features and strategies of how to promote such features. Universal design is defined as “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.”
Other report highlights include:
Universal design can be applied to different products and settings but visitability focuses exclusively on housing construction.
Visitability is concerned with three key features: easy entrance and exit, wide doorways, and first-level bathrooms.
The changes recommended by universal design and visitability enhance the sale and resale of homes.
Voluntary or incentive-based programs for developers and homeowners may increase the implementation of universal design and visitability features.

How to Use br

The fact sheet highlights universal design and visitability features for housing that improve safety and usability for older adults and people with disabilities. With the lack of a federal law requiring universal design and visitability features to be implemented, community leaders need to reconsider the residential building codes and ordinances in their area. City planners and local government officials can use this report to understand better the importance of implementing universal design and visitability features in homes to accommodate the needs of older adults wanting to age in place. View full report:

Stay Informed — For Free

The weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter provides local leaders with information and inspiration for making their town, city or neighborhood more livable for older adults and people of all ages.
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.