Habitat for Humanity in Indiana embraces universal design

From The Journal and Courier in West Lafayette, Ind.:

Brian Sholty's new home (pictured) in Lafayette, Ind., was built to be accessible to everyone.

"It's better for anybody in a wheelchair or with a cane," the 30-year-old said. "As far as accessibility in the house, I couldn't ask for anything better."

Sholty's home was built by Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette using a universal design concept, or the idea of making a home "user-friendly" for anyone -- the elderly, disabled and those without disabilities.

Habitat for Humanity and the Universal Design: Housing Solutions for All Ages and Abilities committee within Purdue Extension is hosting an open house for the public Wednesday to showcase the house's universal design.

"Universal design is building for all ages and abilities," said Steve Swain, co-chair of the universal design committee. "So universal design is the idea that if the home is built with accessibility features, it enables the person to stay in the home from cradle to grave."

Members of the universal design committee and the Breaking New Ground Outreach Program, a part of Purdue Extension that helps farmers with disabilities, helped consult on design features of the house.

Students from Purdue University's Habitat for Humanity chapter also helped build the home, Swain said.

Features of Sholty's home include an entrance with no steps, hand bars in the shower and near the toilet, wider doors and no steps to enter the garage.

The home also has a wider space under the vanity, outlets are at a higher height than normal and light switches lower than normal to be accessible to someone in a wheelchair.

Rocker switches on the lights and single lever water controls in the kitchen and bathroom sinks allow a person without finger dexterity to control the lights and faucets, Swain said.

Although Sholty is not wheelchair-bound, he has mild cerebral palsy, which affects his balance and ability to stand for extended periods of time.

He fears that he might be in a wheelchair one day from either aging or cerebral palsy or both, so he wanted a home that would be accessible to someone in a wheelchair.

Sholty also wanted his home to be accessible to his mother who uses a cane and can no longer climb steps.

"As far as aging and getting older, everybody is going to do that," he said. "It's designed universally for anybody and everybody to make it more accessible and more convenient."