Disability is a complex phenomenon representing an interaction between one's physical impairments, the activities they need to perform, and the architectural barriers within the space in which this situation occurs. The terminology and jargon used for disabilities evolves regularly whereas, "handicapped" is no longer acceptable. It is no longer merely a description of intellectual or physical impairments. Each individual with similar impairments describes his or her limitations differently. The blind don't experience their world the same as a person with deafness and so on. Physically challenged has become the more socially accepted description of a person with an impairment providing a need for handicap remodeling contractors.
Physical limitations affect many more people than the daily users of walkers and wheelchairs. Many members of our society experience significant problems in dealing with their home environment due to various impairments. Today's conventional building standards conflict with most people's accessibility when you consider our created architectural barriers concerning cabinetry and door opening widths, individual strength, range of motion, movement, manual dexterity, balance, and coordination. Once the demands of our built environment exceed their capacities we become excluded from a certain room or even the entire home. The building world must work in unison to be sure the entire living environment meets basic needs in addition to affordability and structural integrity for the consumer and home owner. This includes both the home and the components within the home being accessible to all inhabitants. Privacy, sense of belonging, sense of control, and the sense of safety and security make up the quality of life for any home and should be considered for any design.
Designing for specific physical conditions for a handicap retrofit 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.
A revolution in building design standards is long overdue. Our current building design standards do not address the needs of more than one third of our existing population. Many more people can greatly benefit from accessible design versus conventional design. Our rapidly aging population is experiencing the limitations of our personal living environments. Any evolution in building practically always begins in the common areas of the commercial building sector. The American Disabilities Act of 1990 increased the attention needed for those people having the right to equally access their work place and any recreational or leisure facilities. These rules at least offer minimal solutions for those needing the most help with any building access. In Austin, we now must provide access to one bathroom on the first floor in new homes as deemed by our newly adopted building regulations. This basic right to an accessible bathroom is finally being enforced by the city's building inspectors. What a tremendous needed and basic design improvement!
Aging in place design, construction, and remodeling has become synonymous with handicap accessible home design and modification during our lifetime. Home modifications can be used to accommodate anyone from people with mobility impairments requiring a custom walk in shower with a low threshold to those with vision loss, hearing loss, or even cognitive or developmental disabilities. Accessibility home modifications or wheelchair accessible kitchen and bathroom remodeling in Austin will allow anyone with limited mobility within your home to feel more empowered and independent. The extent of a customized accessibility design is dependent upon the activity level of the person requiring the modifications.
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. David L. Traut, CAPS 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, training, and knowledge necessary to design and remodel or modify a home to meet the unique needs of the older population, disabled owners, or their visitors.
Aging in place home remodeling in Austin will be completely driven by the homeowner's desire to remain in their home for as long as it is physically possible. When disability strikes, that same home you have endeared for at least part of your lifetime can become a prison that presents barriers, frustrations, and perils at every turn. The lack of any preparation or access upgrades possibly is driven by our youth oriented culture that wants to believe we are all young, bullet proof, and fit and will continue to be so. Perhaps we believe as a society that accessible upgrades will decrease our home's property values. The contrary is the reality. Just try looking for a barrier free accessible home. Actually, don't even bother. There are none. Oh yes, there are retirement communities for the older "active" seniors but the key word here is active having nothing to do with accessibility and a lot to do with the money required to live there.
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 home modifications is 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.
The three main rooms involved in aging in place home modifications are the bathroom, the kitchen, and the family room in that order. These areas make up the most occupied spaces of any home and will be connected by a designated accessible route. Here we will need access through wider doorways, non slip floor surfaces, and adequate cabinet and plumbing fixture accessibility. What is more important is that we must observe safety for everyone as the baby boomers choose to age in place within their homes. Just remember one thing and dispel any myth that aging in place construction and remodeling must appear institutional or out of the ordinary. When the work is done with style and taste it will only compliment the home.
For additional information about the CAPS program, visit nahb.org/CAPS. For more information about T-Square Company, visit www.tsquareco.com or call 512-444-0097 to find out how we can assist you in gaining accessibility.
