Earl Gray and his wife, Joanne, in their “dream house” kitchen designed to be accessible to people with physical impairments. Photo by Stan Kaady/Wonderful Machine

Summary:
• Universal design standards make houses more livable and visitable by removing barriers to access.
• Homes meeting these standards can receive an EasyLiving Home certification.
• AARP supports the EasyLiving Home certification program.

Five years after Earl Gray and his wife, Joanne, moved into their “dream house,” it threatened to become a prison. Earl was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder that forced him to rely first on a cane, then a walker, and finally a wheelchair. Their home in suburban Atlanta had doors too narrow for Earl’s wheelchair and stairs he couldn’t climb.

Then the Grays, both 76, met builder Roy Wendt, who said he could build them a new home with “universal design” features. Now, their new residence in Snellville sports a no-step entry, wider doorways, hardwood floors, a roll-in shower and two bedrooms on the first floor.

While easy to incorporate during construction, these features would have forced a costly redesign of their previous house.

“We’re extremely happy here,” said Earl Gray. “I go anywhere I want on the first floor on my own—and when my wife’s bridge partners visit, they always tell us how much they like the wide doorways and the bathroom features.”

Earl Gray taking advantage of the lower vanity.

Photo by Stan Kaady/Wonderful Machine

The Grays were among the first Georgians to take advantage of the EasyLiving Home certification program begun in 2002 by AARP Georgia, the Homebuilders Association of Georgia and disability advocacy groups. In all, 52 homebuilders have constructed nearly 1,000 such homes in the state—from ranch-style quadplexes to multistory mini-mansions.

All include three principles: easy access via step-free outdoor entrances; easy passage with at least 32 inches of clearance in first-floor doorways; and easy use with a main-floor bedroom, bath, kitchen and entertainment area.

Other amenities may include lever faucet handles, safety rails in the bathroom, step-in tubs with fold-down seats, adjustable shelves, lever door handles, lower light switches and slip-resistant floor surfaces. Retrofitting is possible, but it is most economical to install such features during construction.

“The cost of adding basic universal design features is negligible,” said Jim Chapman, president of Jim Chapman Communities, which developed four EasyLiving subdivisions in the Atlanta area. But he said most builders aren’t likely to embrace universal design “until the market demands it.”

Kenneth A. Mitchell, AARP Georgia state director, hopes to increase that demand. He sees the EasyLiving program as meeting the needs of the aging boomer generation. By 2030, more than 1.9 million Georgians will be 65 and over, nearly 16 percent. Nationally, 20 percent of the U.S. population will be over 65. EasyLiving programs have been established in six other states. Surveys show that nearly 80 percent of all boomers want to live in their own homes past retirement age.

“This trend toward aging in place means that we will need many more homes that can accommodate residents of all ages and physical abilities,” said Mitchell. “We’re pleased that we have 1,000 EasyLiving homes built since the program began, but with 480,000 building permits in Georgia in the same period, we clearly have a ways to go.”

Voluntary EasyLiving Homes programs also have been established in Tennessee, Virginia, New Hampshire, Kansas and Missouri. Elsewhere, communities have adopted ordinances to require such features in new construction. Some are trying incentives like expedited permitting to encourage builders to use universal design.

An AARP Public Policy Institute report last year concluded, “Mandatory programs generally lead to better results,” but AARP is seeking a middle ground between mandates and voluntary programs.

“Universal design standards have been around for 20 years, but they still don’t have much public traction,” said Amy Levner, AARP manager of housing and mobility options. In 1960, AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus pioneered the design concept.

“We clearly need to find a way to push this at the national level,” Levner said. “The boomers are aging rapidly, and they have clearly indicated they want to stay in their homes.”

Mike Toner is a writer living in Atlanta.