Universal Design Consulting, ADA Architectural Accessibility Consulting

Universal Design Consulting Services

Home/Environmental Modifications
Job Accommodation Consulting & Referral
Product Review

In commercial alterations and renovations, the building code and accessibility standards are there because they have been determined to meet the "average" needs of most people with disabilities. In home modifications, the choice of the consumer is the key factor to the layout of the renovations. I'm sure the writers of accessibility standards were considering the average height of the seat of a wheelchair when they specified 19" as the maximum height of an accessible toilet. However, this height may not necessarily be best in a home modification. I have seen several home modifications where the contractor ordered and installed an "accessible" toilet where a "standard" height toilet had been used by the customer for years. The contractor assumed that because the person used a wheelchair, that an accessible height toilet must be installed. The customer was very upset to find that for him or her, the new toilet was too high to comfortably, and therefore safely, transfer from their wheelchair.

Before giving recommendations for changes to a customer's home, a thorough tour of the area of the house to be modified should be
made with the customer to note their daily activities in the area about to be changed, to ensure that the characteristics of that room that
the customer was accustomed to, remain. A handhold that was always there should still be there. If the customer is used to a standard toilet, they may not be comfortable with an accessible height toilet. The choices and needs of the consumer are the key factors to the layout of any home mod.

The theory of wasted space - almost every home has it. A good accessibility consultant can find it and put it to work. The great accessibility consultant can design it to fit into the architecture of the home, while keeping the home modification a selling point to the house for the future. Every mod should be first and foremost useful, secondly it should be designed so as to be integrated into the home. The idea is to walk into every design situation with an open mind to the possibilities, and a good knowledge of accessible products that
are available, while having an understanding of the principles of construction to keep the costs within reason.

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