Text for Universal Design

Aseer Intiser
Text for Universal Design

The Universal Design Concept in our Military Retirement Village provides accessibility to both the able bodied and the physically disabled. Our village contains amazing features that a desirable home needs, that will give our veterans a sense of belonging and a place to call home. We want nothing but the best for our heroic veterans so we incorporated the latest in universal deigns.
We have included abundance amount of concepts, such as: Radiant-heated bathroom floors. No longer are water-filled pipes required under your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom floors, with pre-made mats make installation much simpler and less expensive. On demand water heater. The Rheem Pronto is a good example of an on-demand heater that mounts in the wall and helps you avoid wasting energy for hot water stored in pipes and tanks. Glass tiles in colors, that will let the light in and brighten up your home. Dual flush toilets, that can save 6000 gallons of water per year for a family of 4. Low-flow shower heads which uses just 1 gallon per minute vs.3.5 for standard showerheads. Yet performance feels the same. Water re-circulator, if you don’t upgrade to an on-demand heater, a re-circulator gives you instant hot water, so no more waiting for the hot water to arrive through your cold pipes. Folding patio-door, which lets you easily open up an entire wall(s) to your deck or patio. Central vacuum, so our retirees can stop lugging a heavy vacuum around, just plug the head and hose into convenient wall outlets. Doesn’t cost much more than a deluxe vacuum cleaner if installed in a new home. Excellent insulation for the walls and the ceiling. First floor master bedroom, for obvious reason, why put a 60+ veteran to travel to a bedroom upstairs. Built-in Trash/Recycling stations, it will be a built-in kitchen drawer with multiple compartments for trash and recycling makes your kitchen more attractive and simplifies collection. Solar hot water heating, which is much more efficient and cheaper in most climates than photovoltaic systems. Small wind turbine, it’s a new and quieter systems, can save money if installed properly in a location with good wind potential. Large open shower, a shower that isn’t claustrophobic and its opens or is windowed to a private garden which makes bath time a lot more of a pleasurable. Second sinks in kitchen to make it much easier for many purposes.
We also had an individual checklist for all the room in our homes, which will described the components we put more in depth. In our bedrooms we included; 36-inch-wide doors for easy access or pocket doors, Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor, Closet with multi-level or pull-down shelving and clothes rod, we avoided bi-fold or accordion closet doors, which can be difficult to open and close, Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor, for easier access, and extra electrical outlets to accommodate technology or future medical-equipment needs. In our Kitchen we included; 36-inch-wide doors for easy access or pocket doors, multi-height, rounded-edge countertops to enable residents to work standing or seated, color-contrast front edges on countertops to help prevent spills, clear counter space next to sink and all appliances, space for a chair under sink or cook top for seated users, easy-access storage, such as pull-out pantry or adjustable-height shelving, stove-top water access to fill pots, bright, non-glare task lighting over sink, stove, and work areas, anti-scald faucet with lever-style handle, D-shaped or pull-style cabinet and drawer handles, easy-glide drawers that close automatically, drawer-style dishwasher or raised platform under dishwasher to reduce bending, easy-access side-by-side refrigerator/freezer or under-counter, drawer-style refrigerator, front-mounted appliance controls that are highly visible or can be operated by touch, built-in storage space for easy-access and removable recyclables and trash, electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor, extra electrical outlets for small appliances; some outlets located under countertops for easy access, rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor, easily accessible garbage-disposal switch, laundry on main floor, front-loading washer and dryer, stacked or on raised platform to reduce bending, with accessible controls on front, laundry sink and countertop no more than 34 inches above floor with knee space below for seated users, bright task-lighting in laundry, wall-mounted folding table that lies flat when not in use, and very crucial for retirement homes, non-slip flooring. In our den and living room we have included; 36-inch-wide doors for easy access, or pocket doors, level flooring throughout the house, easy-touch, rocker-style light switches 42 inches off the floor, electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor, seating at least 18 inches off the floor, extra electrical outlets to accommodate future technology or medical-equipment needs, rearranged furniture and remove any clutter to allow for clear, wide passageways. In our stairways and halls we have included; handrails on both sides of stairs, interior and exterior, no open, see-through risers on stairs, deep stair treads, to accommodate entire foot, contrasting color at front edge of steps, to provide visual orientation, or non-slip adhesive strips, 4-foot-wide stairway to accommodate future chairlift, bright, non-glare lighting in hallways and stairwells, easy-touch, rocker-style light switches at top and bottom of stairs, 42 inches off floor, electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor, replace or remove any worn or torn carpeting. In our entrances and exits we have included; at least one no-step pathway into the house, ample and level maneuvering room, 5 feet by 5 feet, in entryway, 36-inch-wide entry door with lever-style handle, zero-threshold doorway, covered entrance to protect from inclement weather , shelf near entrance to put packages while opening and closing door, bright lighting inside and outside entries, lighted doorbell at an easily reachable height, easy-open door locks, such as keyless locks with remote or keypad codes, high-visibility house numbers, handrails on both sides of steps, railings on porches, slip-resistant walkways and entryways.
We have taken various precautions so that our veterans have a safe and happy stay at our village. We have incorporated the latest in design technology to insure our honorable veterans enjoy their time in their home and feel a sense of belonging.