New Hampshire magazine focuses on universal design

From New Hampshire Magazine's August issue:

Have you ever noticed that most homes seem to be just right for a young, fit, six-foot tall male? But for those who don’t fit that description, daily routines can be difficult. Light switches are too high for children. Electric outlets are too low for those who have trouble bending. Doorknobs are almost impossible to turn, especially for someone who has arthritic hands or who has two bags of groceries in one arm and a fussy toddler in the other. Steps become a seasonal hazard for all, and for some a year-round barrier.

It doesn’t have to be that way. In the 1970s architect Ron Mace began to design homes that were comfortable and adaptable to a wide range of physical abilities. The term “universal design” was used for this new approach. Mace called the houses he designed “homes for everyone.”Fast forward to the 21st century — key elements of universal design are the law of the land for public buildings. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public buildings must be accessible. We have come to expect level entry doors, ramps, wide aisles, accessible toilets and other design features that make it possible for almost all citizens to move about in the community with greater ease and safety. Home design, however, has not moved forward at the same pace.

Trinka Russell wants to change that. Russell speaks to the issue of home design from both personal and professional experience. After 18 years working as a hospital nurse, she decided to take time off to develop a new career. She studied art and design at the New England School of Design. She expected to use her new skills to design more comfortable and efficient hospital units. But life intervened. Seventeen years ago she gave birth to twin boys, both of whom have cerebral palsy.

“Our Cape-style home was totally inaccessible,” she says. “We realized that we just couldn’t continue living this way. I designed our new house and the results were profound. Life became so much easier and the boys could be more independent as they grew. But you can’t tell by looking that this is home to people with severe mobility, vision and balance impairment.”

Looks are important, say proponents of universal design. A house that conveys “impairment” may stigmatize the occupants and will be harder to sell. And being visibly different is simply not necessary.

Russell taught a graduate course in home design at Suffolk University for seven years. Then she launched her own business as a design consultant. Two years ago she was elected to the N.H. House, representing Stratham. She has put her professional work aside to “learn the ropes” of legislation and better serve her community. She sees a growing need for homes that meet the needs of elders.

“If more money went into making such homes, elders could remain independent for longer,” she says. “We would save money in the long run. There would be less need for chore services and home care.”

Many of the needed adaptations are inexpensive to make. She gives examples: Loss of hand strength is common among older people. That, plus arthritis, can make it impossible to turn a doorknob. Replacing knobs with levers (purchased at a hardware store) usually solves the problem. Use color contrast to help a person with low vision locate essential areas. A section of brightly colored tiles on the bathroom floor, in front of the door, the sink and the toilet, help the resident locate the right spot. For
low budget cabinetry, use drawers instead of pull out shelves.

The starting point for universal design is accessibility. Can a person with physical impairment get in and out of the house? If not, there are safety issues, but perhaps even more damaging is the isolation of the resident. The most desirable solution is to build with ground level entry, back and front. When working with an existing home, however, a ramp is often the only solution. A ramp is essential for wheelchair users and helpful to many others. People who use canes, crutches or walkers, who have joint problems or are temporarily impaired will find life easier without steps.