UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL HOME DESIGNHOME DESIGN

PROBLEM 1PROBLEM 1BEDS FOR DISABLE BEDS FOR DISABLE

PEOPLEPEOPLE Closet rods reachable from a seated or Closet rods reachable from a seated or standing position, or adjustablestanding position, or adjustable height rods.height rods.

Light switches reachable from the bedside Light switches reachable from the bedside and the door, and locatedand the door, and located about 36 inches about 36 inches to 40 inches above the floorto 40 inches above the floor..

Extra electrical outlets near the bed (for Extra electrical outlets near the bed (for medical equipment or rechargeablemedical equipment or rechargeable items, items, for example), placed 18 inches to 24 inches for example), placed 18 inches to 24 inches above the flooabove the floor.r.

PROBLEM 2PROBLEM 2WINDOWS WHICH ARE WINDOWS WHICH ARE

NOT USEFUL FOR NOT USEFUL FOR DISABLE PEOPLEDISABLE PEOPLE

Energy-efficient windows that are easy to open, close, and lock, and require little strength to use. (Crank handles are a good choice.)

Placement at a height that allows people to see outdoors while seated or standing – with the windowsills about 24 inches to 30 inches above the floor.

PROBLEM 3PROBLEM 3DOOR AND HALLWAY DOOR AND HALLWAY

WIDENESSWIDENESS SSpacious hallways and doorwayspacious hallways and doorways

must be widemust be wide for moving furniture as for moving furniture as well aswell as for maneuvering a for maneuvering a wheelchair or walkewheelchair or walker. r. Doors Doors must be must be 36 inches wide, to allow for a 34-36 inches wide, to allow for a 34-inch clear openininch clear opening and also handles g and also handles must be easy to operate.must be easy to operate.

PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 4 FLOOR IN HOUSEFLOOR IN HOUSE

For wheelchairs, carpeting should For wheelchairs, carpeting should be continuously glued to the floor,be continuously glued to the floor, ideally with no paddingideally with no padding (stone or (stone or ceramic tile holds up best ).ceramic tile holds up best ).

PROBLEM 5PROBLEM 5USAGE OF LAUNDRY IN USAGE OF LAUNDRY IN

APARTMENTAPARTMENT Front-loading washer and dryer, Front-loading washer and dryer,

placed on raised platforms to reduceplaced on raised platforms to reduce bending and kneelingbending and kneeling..

Folding table, attached to the wall, Folding table, attached to the wall, that lies flat when not in usethat lies flat when not in use..

Portable washer on main floor (can Portable washer on main floor (can attach to kitchen sinkattach to kitchen sink

REFERANCESREFERANCES

www.nus.edu.sg www.disabled-word.com www.disabledpeople.org