The subject of accessible housing comes by many names: handicapped housing, barrier-free housing, universal design, building for a lifetime, and so on. We have adopted the term accessible housing.

The simple truth of this idea is that buildings and outdoor spaces we live and work in have been designed for people who have full use of all limbs and all five senses. Unfortunately, over 43 million Americans do not fall into this category. With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the growing public awareness of the importance of accessibility, the barriers are beginning to vanish.

There is more to an accessible home than wider doors and hallways and a couple of grab bars. While these features are essential elements of an accessible design, there are many more features that can be integrated into a house to enhance the productivity of a disabled resident.