A traditional home builder or remodeling contractor has never truly considered the special needs of the disabled or aging within any home design. Unfortunately the design emphasis is always put on aesthetics and takes for granted everyone's mobility. There certainly are no guarantees or clauses within any home's sales contract that will prevent our future personal life experiences from introducing us to at least a temporary disability. Accidents will always happen and you could find yourself having to utilize a wheelchair or walker to facilitate your independence for mobility. Limitations in our mobility or constantly changing needs experienced by both the disabled and the elderly have sprung a new dimension in construction known as ADA remodeling to accomplish increased accessibility like roll in showers. Our homes have always been exempt from any and all of the accessibility regulations that have been put in place since 1968 when our Viet Nam veterans were returning home. The new evolving concept known as Universal Design for home remodeling is catching on nation wide and has been for several years as a sign of the times. Universal design techniques used in building makes a home more accessible to all regardless of their mobility or adaptive abilities. An evolution of new products used for disability access baths and home modifications are making those homes more accessible and has finally come about in the remodeling industry. These new advances in accessible home remodeling in Austin not only keep the living environments safer but will not compromise the home's aesthetics.
Designing for specific physical conditions concerning elder construction will lessen the impact of say arthritis, restricted mobility, or loss of vision by using combinations of products, concepts, and techniques available today. Working as a team, a trained CAPS specialist along with any family caretakers or therapists is able to identify the day to day problems weighing on those with health limitations. If you are considering an aging in place remodel for your home don't just contact any local remodeler in your area and expect a satisfactory accessible home modification. A professional design/build accessibility project can only be created for your specific needs by a qualified home remodeler having a nationally accepted CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist) certification. This credential is backed by the NAHB. Only a CAPS home remodeler possesses the specific knowledge that will insure a successful outcome for your accessibility or aging in place project and what's more, keep you in your home longer.
Many people find themselves needing accessible homes for themselves or family members. There are approximately 30 million Americans using wheelchairs and the number of people who need accessible homes will continue to increase as disabled and aging people are finding more ways to remain living in their homes. One important way to increase independent living is making a home accessible to an individuals personal needs. Universal design ideas and home modifications can increase safety, accessibility, and independence for people who want to live independently.
The National Association of Home Builders, in partnership with the AARP and Home Innovation Research Labs, created the CAPS program, which includes training and education on the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to compete in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry--home modifications for aging in place and ADA accessibility in Austin, Texas. David L. Traut, CAPS the owner of T-Square Company in Austin, Texas is one of the select group of professionals nationwide to earn the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, identifying him as a home remodeler and builder with the skills and knowledge necessary to remodel or modify a home to meet the unique needs of the older population, disabled owners, or their visitors.
Kitchens have evolved because fewer cabinets are needed within the more open designs. Fewer wall cabinets are needed because of personal reach limitations in a wheelchair accessible kitchen. For those that are used, they can be installed at 14" above the base cabinet work top instead of the standard 18" spacing. The cabinet top is now lowered by two inches and installed at a universal 34" height. This makes a net 6 inch lower installation height for the bottom of the wall cabinet. All types of cabinet inserts like pull out shelves and specialized drawers are now available for installation in both base and wall cabinets. These devices will certainly help solve the reach problem. Base cabinet kick spaces can be raised to 9" and deepened instead of the standard 4" to accommodate wheelchair access. Knee spaces can be incorporated into the design for roll under access at the sink, prep area, and cook top.
The lack of bending motion and decreasing reach distances is changing the way we purchase and install appliances at comfortable heights. Placing dishwashers higher by a few inches to limit bending has become a reachable fad and the new height is changing the old look of our kitchens. Refrigerator drawers, dishwasher drawers, and double ovens that are no longer stacked are just a few changes within the present day appliance marketplace. Cooking ranges with the controls located on the front represents another metamorphosis helping with reach problems. Microwaves can be installed on the now lowered 34" height counter top or within the lowered base cabinet according to the consumers need for adequate reach.
The lack of doors represents a change in the cabinet market. The new open look lets homeowners access what is stored within the cabinet without an open door blocking their clear path for approach. No matter in what manner the doors are hung they always interfere with accessibility. The open cabinet look is seen in both the bath and kitchen.
Accessible bathrooms today contain stylish ADA compatible vanities set at a universal height of 34 inches with clear knee spaces. The sink faucets are easily controlled by either wrist handles or levers. Toilets are available in comfort heights eliminating the deep knee bend needed for seating. Toilet seats are available with a heat feature and some have the ability to self close or have a night light. Curb-less roll in showers are advised for everyone involved in disability access baths. The shower should contain at least a shower wand on a sliding bar for varying heights of use along with a regular shower head and control if desired. Folding seats are useful if caretakers are ever involved. A low profile or roll in shower base will provide wheelchair or walker access. Grab bars around the bath and especially in the shower should be used while non slip floor covering should always be considered.
For additional information about the CAPS program, visit nahb.org/CAPS. For more information about T-Square Company or remodeling for a disability, visit www.tsquareco.com or call 512-444-0097.
