Adapting a Home for Independent Living

In addition to information on accessible housing design, these web sites provide specific tips, guidelines and resources for adaptive housing projects both new and modified.

Infinitec.org has a useful section on home modifications that includes possible modifications room by room.

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Housing Modification. This university-based research and advocacy group provides information including resources for designing and building housing or modifying housing that enables aging individuals and individuals aging with disabilities to live independently. Much of their information is useful for persons and families of all ages.

Universal Design: Solutions for your Home. This section from AARP discusses universal design modifications appropriate for each room of a home including a checklist for each room.

Home Changes: Accessible Home Modifications Can Make Your Life Easier. This article by a contracting firm specializing in adapting homes discusses the types of modifications possible, particularly for wheel chair accessibility, and provides links.

Universal Design Facility at Kansas State University offers planning pointers and resources for creating accessible kitchens, bathrooms, and work stations.

The Design Linc presents design tips for creating accessibility to both the exterior and interior of a home. The site also has samples of accessible and adaptive products and fixtures for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and laundry. There are links to other organizations, resources and product manufacturers.

The National Easter Seals Foundation. Provides information and resources for shopping for accessible housing, for adapting housing including tips and a home checklist. Easter Seals promotes increased awareness and availability of accessible housing, and also provides information on making a home more safe and accessible.

The Accessible Kitchen and The Accessible Bathroom. These articles by Leon A. Frechette from asktooltalk.com provide an overview of criteria, resources and products for creating accessibility for these areas of the home.

Accessible Landscapes: Designing for Inclusion. This design booklet, available online, covers the principles of accessible outdoor landscapes and provides examples of inclusive paths, plazas and furniture. Directed primarily to public spaces, it also has useful ideas for homeowners.

Here's a sampling of design firms and architects who feature universal and/or accessible house plans. You can browse or review numerous plans on these sites.

UDHomes.com. Provides access to almost 10,000 home plans that can be viewed online (plans are for sale)

United Design Associates Ideal Homes. Accessible versions of 77 home plans

Cool House Plans. Scroll down to select "wheelchair accessible plans" under Unique Home Plan Styles to view over 35 plans.

Turtle Homes: Barrier Free Independent Living. Illustrations of several accessible home models and specific adaptive features. Includes plan for an accessible suite for an individual with a disability that can be added to existing home.

Updated April 2005