Advancing Accessibility- Creating through Design Symposium

Designing for Accessibility: A Compendium

Designing for Accessibility: A Compendium

A Companion to the Advancing Accessibility – Creating through Design Symposium Mount Royal University, Calgary Alberta Canada

November 25, 2010

Compiled and written by:Mark Iantkow, Accessible Housing Society

Janice Rieger, Department of Interior Design & Art History, Mount Royal University

Graphics and layout by:

Katie Attwood and Angela Mok

This vital resource document has been financially sponsored bythe Alberta Real Estate Foundation

Printed by Blitzprint, Calgary

3

The purpose behind the encompassing publication is three fold:

• To function as a valuable on-going synopsis for designers to reference as a basis for accessible and affordable housing design.

• To function as a catalyst of discussion during the Advancing Accessibility table break-out afternoon session.

• To illustrate a number of associations between some salient prominent and rapidly-emerging global design movements and paradigms.

4

For the Compendium Production:• Alberta Real Estate Foundation (Financial Sponsorship)• Katie Attwood (Graphic Design and Layout)• Blitzprint (Printing of Compendium)• Cheryl Clieff (Research Development and Editing Assistant)• Mark Iantkow, Community Development Specialist, Accessible Housing

Society (Conceptualization, Writing and Editing)• Angela Mok (Graphic Design and Layout)• Janice Rieger, Interior Design Instructor, Mount Royal University

(Conceptualization, Writing and Editing)• Tim Wild, City of Calgary (Editing Assistant)

For the Advancing Accessibility – Creating through Design Symposium• Accessible and Affordable Housing Working Group; Calgary, AB• Accessible Housing Society; Calgary, AB • Alberta Real Estate Foundation; Calgary, AB

(Financial Sponsorship of Designing for Accessibility – A Compendium)• Calgary Homeless Foundation; Calgary, AB

(Financial Sponsorship for Promotional Materials and Advertising)• Community Action Committee; Calgary, AB

(Financial Sponsorship of Part-time Educational-programming Assistance)• Gainsborough Galleries Ltd. (Donation of Framing for Honoraria)• Mount Royal University, Department of Interior Design & Art History

(Contribution of meeting facilities, Event Planning and Event Facilitation)• University of Calgary, Faculty of Environmental Design; Professor John Brown

(Keynote address on Visitability and assistance with advertising event) Keynote Speakers

• Professor John Brown; Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary• Mr. Geoffrey Olsen• Mr. Marlin Styner• Mr. Ron Wickman; Alberta Association of Architects

Symposium Planning and Implementation Committee Members• Anna Bata, Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta and Calgary Ability Network • Cynthia Burger, Community Development Professional• Cheryl Clieff, University of Calgary Environmental Design Student• Helene de Klerk, New Age Services• Mark Flores, Independent Living Resource Centre of Calgary• Mike Hambly, Canadian Paraplegic Association• Mark Iantkow, Accessible Housing Society• Deanna Kirk, Caresce Inc.• Janice Rieger, Department of Interior Design and Art History, Mount Royal

University• Tim Wild, City of Calgary

Acknowledgements

5

6

7

There is a quickly growing movement toward more functional and accessible housing designs in Calgary, in Canada and within North America. Why? There are several important contributing factors:

Access to housing for diverse populations - what’s the point?

The Emerging Movement

• Our aging Baby-boomer Population (and their caring for elderly parents).

• The growing demand for more sustainable housing (keeping one’s dwelling for greater lengths of time).

• An increase in social housing that accommodates people with diverse needs (e.g. the 2008 STANDATA on Adaptable Dwelling Units, Alberta Municipal Affairs).

• More of a demand for mixed housing environments, where people with greatly-varied housing needs will reside (apartment blocks, condominiums, and single-family dwellings along with social housing existing in more diverse, socially-inclusive communities).

• Transit-oriented Development, in Calgary, that is creating housing nodes in association with commercial nodes (all requiring basic levels of barrier-free access).

• Adaptability and flexibility are becoming cornerstones for future housing development (consider the Adaptable Dwelling Unit STANDATA adopted in 2008 for the latest Alberta Building Code, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s work with the Flexhousing model).

8

The cost of a new constructed fully accessible average-sized house in Calgary can vary greatly from $300,000 to $900,000.The average cost for renovations to adapt a home can be in the range of $175 per square foot.

A good example of some cost comparisons for affordable, adaptable and accessible housing, with a Canadian base, lie within CMHC’s analysis of “FlexHouse Costing Summary” (CMHC, 2002):

New construction costs for FlexHousing (while these figures are dated, and not specific to the Calgary market, one can associate a percentage cost for the current construction market):

• Benchmark house (basic) $143, 072

• Cost of upgrades (for an adaptable and accessible house) for new construction is $7,833

• The total for a FlexHouse with upgrades for adaptability and accessibility is $150,905

Consequently, the initial costs of designing for adaptability and accessibility into a FlexHouse would be 5.19%.Cost to renovate a house post-construction for adaptability and accessibility is $74,605 – the total cost of a Benchmark FlexHouse, through renovation, would therefore be $217,677 (the renovation, then, would amount to 52% of the total cost of construction if it were not adapted originally)

It is far less costly to devote some initial planning for future potential adaptations. With our aging population, the growth of diverse populations including people with disabilities, and more consideration for sustainable, life-long homes, it is advantageous to consider such predominant costing figures.

Engage with the quickly-emerging movement toward more functional/flexible dwelling designs as a selling feature for our shifting demographics and more diverse housing needs.

Construction Cost Comparisons

9

Since the 1940s, Canada has expe-rienced incremental growth toward more inclusive and holistic housing-design practices. Eight decades of progress toward access to housing and structures for people with diverse make ups and needs have given us adaptable dwelling units (Municipal Affairs, 2008); FlexHousing (CMHC, 2002); Universal Dwelling Units (City of Calgary, 2010) and on-going incre-mental access to structures generally (National Building Codes 1965 – 2005; Alberta Building Code 1974 – 2006).

The 1930s - with perhaps Canada’s experience of most devastating un-employment and homelessness - wit-nessed the proclamation of the Do-minion housing act and the National housing act in 1935 and 1936 respec-tively. Such was the initiation of our federal government’s involvement with housing. The post-war/1946 founding of Central Mortgage and Housing Cor-poration (later to evolve into Canada Mortgage and Housing, was key to the creation of housing for veterans re-turning home from World War II, and for diverse populations, such as people with varied disabilities (Canada Mort-gage and Housing Corporation, Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation,

Background

1974; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1977; Ismael, 2006).

The 1950s and 1960s saw pivotal shifts in building code considerations and practices (such as Building stan-dards for the handicapped, supple-ment no. 5 to the national building code of Canada (Associate Committee on the National Building Code, 1965). People with disabilities, themselves were experiencing social attitudi-nal changes where such residents were beginning to consider their independent-living situations, moving away from total reliance upon institu-tional living environments (Kleinfield, 1979)..

There was a paradigm shift - during the 1970s and 1980s - from considering “handicapped access” not as “supplementary information” or “add-ons” to construction, but rather as an integral part of built environments generally (hence the inclusion of Barrier-free Design sections to the National Building Code and all of the corresponding provincial codes). But, what did “integral” mean? Great progress was made over the 1980s and 1990s to ensure prescriptive measures for barrier-free

History

10

access was incorporated within the building codes (and this continues today). During the late 1980s, however, the “Universal Design” paradigm was conceptualized to introduce a more flexible, holistic, and an even-more diverse-building-user design approach.

We have arrived, at the end of this first decade within our new millennium, at a tipping point, where a coalescence of several “parallel movements” is emerging. People with disabilities exist within sustainable housing, where aging in place must ensure adaptability and flexibility to adjust designs with both the age of the building and its inhabitants; where the “Green Building Movement” will ensure we reuse adaptive equipment and it makes financial sense for all to build with more permanent structures in mind.

Prior to the mid 1970s, physical access to - and functional use of - housing for owners or renters with disabilities in Calgary was “hit and miss.” Individual owners would adapt to specific physical access requirements, and the trend of the decades previous to the 1960s was to rely upon institutional care for Calgary residents with disabilities. While individual-house-adaptations and some institutional housing options continued into the 1970s, a group of individuals with physical disabilities created a new residence in Northwest Calgary in 1974. The “Fourth Dimension” group home established a new accessible

living environment, for the eleven residents to live in a semi-independent manner. After months of planning and design, in conjunction with a significant fund raising venture, the group home was constructed, and the residents moved in to a more independent-living environment where they hired their own staff people, and determined their futures as active citizens of Calgary.

This reaching out into community through the creation of such a semi-independent living environment sparked the beginning of the Accessible Housing Society. The society grew into a non-profit organization that continues to have a housing registry (matching people with disabilities who are looking for accessible and affordable housing with a range of housing offers in Calgary), a Residential Assessment and Design team (a group of professionals who assess the access needs of people with disabilities and recommend adaptive designs), and – within the residences owned and operated by Accessible Housing - coordinate daily living supports to ensure residents with disabilities live a life as independent as possible.

Accessible Housing Society retains a range of housing options for residents with disabilities, but is nowhere near meeting the demand of all those Calgarians searching for accessible and affordable housing. Many individuals with disabilities, as well, wish to live a productive life

11

on their own, to be included within their local communities. Accessible Housing Society, in conjunction with people having physical disabilities and the Accessible and Affordable Housing Working Group, continue to promote more adaptable, visitable and accessible/affordable housing offers in Calgary. The burgeoning movement toward more inclusive housing designs in Calgary is unfolding.

A corresponding “conduit-to-community” entitled the Accessible and Affordable Housing Working Group was established in 2008. The group was created to function as a catalyst for change, to educate, and to strategize on how Calgary communities can best address the needs for adequate, appropriate, accessible and affordable housing.

The working group’s vision is to stimulate the “creation of “accessible Housing in Inclusive communities,” and the group’s mission is to “build a strong foundation to promote accessible/affordable housing in Calgary.”

The Accessible and Affordable Housing Working Group meets monthly and welcomes the involvement of the

design and construction industries in a quest to build more inclusive communities.

The Advancing Accessibility – Creating through Design Symposium is not the first of its kind in Calgary – a larger symposium was conducted almost six years ago to the day. The symposium sparked much interest and involvement with a number of disciplines and people with physical disabilities in Calgary, and we wish to honour – along with building upon – this excellent foundational work.

12

Statistics and Demographics

• 4.4 million (14%) of Canadians with disabilities were living in Canada in 2006 (Statistics Canada, 2006).

• 3% increase in disability rates, and there is evidence that the incidence of disabilities increase with age (2001 – 2006) in all age groups (Statistics Canada, 2006).

• 1.75 million (43%) of persons with disabilities are 65 years of age or older (Statistics Canada, 2006).

• By 2036, the seniors population is projected to be more than double than the seniors population in 2009 (Statistics Canada, 2006).

• By 2036, the seniors population is projected to be 23% – 25% of the population (Statistics Canada, 2006).

• By 2036, the very old seniors population (80 years and over) is projected to grow from 1.3 million to 3.3 million (Statistics Canada, 2006).

• In 2006, Calgary retained a total disability population of 159,035 people; by 2013 the population is projected to be 185,414 (City of Calgary, 2008).

Seniors with Disabilities

In 2009, Presence of disability in the household that are in need of afford-able housing, by the age of the prima-ry household member – the number of units in Calgary was 31,345 (City of Calgary Community and Neighbour-hood Services Social Research Unit, 2009; Statistics Canada, 2008).

Homelessness & Poverty Poverty rate for people with disabili-ties is higher than that of the total population – according to Statistics Canada, 2001, 41% of Albertans with disabilities between the ages of 15 to 64 years had an income of less than $14,999 per year (City of Calgary, 2003; Poverty Reduction Coalition, 2008).

As people with disabilities have a greater likelihood of living in low in-come households, they are less likely to participate in daily activities, result-ing in isolation (City of Calgary, 2002; Poverty Reduction Coalition, 2008).

Housing for People with Disabilities

13

Outpatient Clinic: (Patients with chronic illnesses)

Approximately 25% of patients have mobility issues – obtaining affordable and accessible housing is often an is-sue for this percentage of people;

1. Living on a higher storey where individuals would need to use stairs (no elevators);

2. Financial limitations – some may be living in relatively accessible suites, but are unable to remain in their current living situation

Medical, Surgery and Ortho Units: (Total patients on units, approximately 128 people)

1. Approximately 25-30 people will be discharged per month;

2. Of these 25-30 people being dis-charged, 5-10 will have physical disabilities and mobility issues, and will mainly be discharged to the streets because of lack of access to appropriate housing;

3. In September of 2010, 3 people were discharged to shelters or other homeless situations

Heart Function Outpatient Clinic (Varies between 100-200 patients in the clinic)

1. During September of 2010, the clinic had 4 patients from the homeless sector;

2. One of the patients relied upon a wheelchair for mobility

(reported from the Peter Lougheed Hospital, September, 2010)

Hospitals & Housing for People with Disabilities

14

Holistic Approaches to Design and Construction: Some Best Practices

Case Study: Mike’s Place A Family Home with Full Accessibility

Vitals

• Background: the following reviews a single-family home that has been renovated for a family member who has a dual disability (totally blind and an individual who uses a wheelchair).

• General Contractor, John Woods -Woody’s Construction (and a separate contract with an interior designer for assistance with the kitchen designs).

• This is a single family dwelling, purchased in 2003.

Access Design Features

Overall

• Two entrances to the house exist from the paved-lane access - one side door, and the front, main door – both designed to be barrier-free from an exterior deck.

• Hardwood floors for an attractive appearance, but with good wear and serviceability for a resident us-ing a wheelchair.

• The kitchen adapted for physical and visual access.

• Audible enunciators for security and kitchen appliance (microwave) have been installed to accommo-date Mike’s visual disability.

• A fully accessible basement and garage are included with Mike’s home.

• The wooden decking is truly at-tractive and has a mild/natural appearance, but also retains subtle design features such as a side guard to prevent Mike’s wheels to accidentally float of the decking and protective handrails for ease in navigating and for wayfinding purposes.

15

fice/den, has been designed with a cul-de-sac for adequate turning radius so Mike can effectively and safely pivot to access the various rooms or to return down the hall-way.

• The hallway width has remained standard up to the cul-de-sac, so the washroom on the main floor has a wide pocket door opening (107 mm or 42 inches), allowing for good turning radius into the washroom from the hallway.

• A higher baseboard dimension is used for both an antique appear-ance to complement the door trim, and to function as a partial guard for Mike’s navigation throughout the house.

• A stair lift has been installed to provide Mike access to the base-ment in his house.

• There is adequate space for the other ambulatory family members to pass by on the left side of Mike if or when he uses the wheel-on stair lift.

Kitchen

• Includes ample storage space with pull out cupboards and drawers – each of the drawers and cupboards have effectively-designed/grasp-able pull handles.

• The kitchen with access from sink to stove to refrigerator is “L-shaped,” allowing for easy transfer of hot sauce pans and other items.

Garage and Related Access

• Mike has constructed his garage, where he operates a home-based business

• The concrete-sidewalk approach to the side entrance of the garage has brick side guards, similar to the wooden side guards on the deck.

• The pedestrian side entrance to the garage has a 107 mm (42 inch) metal/insulated door for both ease in access and for sturdy-construc-tion security. The threshold through the doorway has been carefully beveled for effective weather pro-tection, while still allowing for ease of wheelchair access.

• Natural lighting is well dispersed, with little interruption from harsh sunlight and no side-windows in the garage for security purposes.

• The lack of side windows was an adaptation specific to Mike’s dual disability he had no need for a view of his property or the lane since he would not be able to perceive such views at any rate.

• The garage has a full-two-car door facing the lane for a private, quiet and easy delivery or pick up for Mike’s products in his home-based business.

House Interiors

Circulation

• The hallway along the length of the house, terminating adjacent to the two bedrooms and the family’s of-

16

Other Features

• Other technologies have been installed to accommodate Mike’s visual disability as well: audible an-nouncement of anyone opening the front or side doors to the house; audible controls for the microwave; and audible call display on the fam-ily’s telephone system.

Keys to Success

• Mike’s house clearly illustrates how one can incorporate access designs for someone with dual or mul-tiple disabilities in an aesthetically pleasing/unobtrusive way.

• The increase in hallway widths has provided for many other benefits such as moving furniture or ease in family members passing one an-other.

• The access features have become natural and integral elements of the home.

• The home has a spacious appear-ance without using an open con-cept.

• These have resulted in Increase in an increased value for the home.

Testimonials

From the builder: “These home adap-tations were common sense designs in many ways – yet one has to pay closeattentiontothespecificneedsofa person with – in this case – a dual disability.”

From a visitor: “One would not know a person with a disability lives within this home, unless a person noticed the stair lift, which is often disguised due to its being parked at the bottom of the stairs.”

From Mike: “I have never lived in such a comfortable environment, and this is a home that will suit both me and my family for years to come – more build-ers should understand the growing demand for this type of integral plan-ning and construction for access which includes unobtrusive and truly attrac-tive design and appearance.”

17

Vitals

• Background: the following outlines design intricacies of a dwelling unit in a subsidized-living complex in Southeast Calgary.

• The General Contractor is Summa SKMG Construction.

• The number of barrier-free units eleven (nine one bedroom and 2 two-bedroom – all situated on the ground level).

Access Design features

Entry and circulation

• This dwelling has an open plan, with view to major circulation area of dwelling (good for both access and security).

• There is ease in accessing all func-tional areas: washroom, kitchen, bedroom living area and exterior door to general patio area of the complex..

Washroom

• A roll-in shower has been designed with ample turning radius consider-ation.

• Back and side grab bars for toilet transfer are properly reinforced and situated.

Case Study: Deanne’s Place A Spacious and Secure Home

• There is ample wheelchair space under lavatory in washroom.

Kitchen

• Horizontal-swinging oven door at an elevation suitable for access from a wheelchair position has been designed into the kitchen.

Laundry room (Communal Facility)

• Front-loading washers and dryers have been installed, for ease in wheelchair access to both of these appliances by a person using a wheelchair.

• Wide hallways accommodate ease of circulation and entry into the laundry room.

18

Building Controls & Fixtures

• All light switches and thermostat situated at a lowered accessible height.

• There are an ample number – and good location – of electrical outlets.

Testimonials

From Deanne: “I love it here - It’s safe and it felt like home as soon as I moved in. I access virtually all parts of my living environment. I would not want to give it up

for anything.”

19

Case Study: Cal’s Co-op Unit Access to Outdoors from an Accessible Apartment

Vitals

• Background: the following is a review of a two-bedroom co-op living unit, situated in a Northeast Calgary complex with other acces-sible units on various floors of the complex.

• Three accessible units on every floor of this 54 unit complex have been designed for integration with community.

Access Design Features

Overall

• In approaching the main door of his dwelling, Cal has the ability to un-lock his door from a remote switch attached to his wheelchair.

• Each resident who uses a wheel-chair has a mailbox located im-mediately outside the main door of their own dwelling for ease in accessing their mail. Hallways are wider than standard to ensure adequate turning radii into barrier-free living units, and for passage of people who are am-bulatory alongside residents using wheelchairs.

• Graspable lever handle doors are standard for the entry doors to the units.

• Door handles are also situated in the middle of the door to assist with closure.

Washrooms

• The dwelling has two washrooms to help accommodate the two-bedroom facility – one washroom is used as a powder room and has minimal access for a person us-ing a wheelchair (allowing entry into the washroom only); the other washroom provides full access with a roll-in shower and a tub.

Bedrooms

• Both bedrooms provide ample space, and the furniture is to scale allowing for good circulation.

• Cal also uses a ceiling track lift for transfer in and out of bed (the ceil-ing must be properly reinforced for this installation).

20

Kitchen

• The kitchen provides a pull out mi-crowave oven and pull out tray for transfer of hot foods.

• Adequate wheelchair circulation space exists below the cooking range and the kitchen sink.

• Similar to the microwave, access to the oven is located at a wheelchair-accessible level and the oven door swings out horizontally with a pull out tray below for transfer of hot food.

• A side by side refrigerator and freezer for is used for ease to ac-cess from a wheelchair position.

• A switch for a light and fan exists under the kitchen range.

Other Features

• A wheelchair-accessible balcony has been designed with ample space for comfortable turning ra-dius.

• Cal also has a number of remote

control devices for both security and convenience that are well coordinated with his living environ-ment (e.g. remote-control light switches).

Keys to Success

• Multiple/coordinated living features that promote maximum indepen-dence in the home are a vital part of access design for this complex.

• Residents have the ability to access private outdoor space on their own balconies.

• There is an on-call attendant for Cal’s access 24 hours a day, to ensure safety and security – such daily-living supports are vital to complement the physically-accessi-ble living environment.

• The accessible elements are un-obtrusive/well-integrated design features in the dwelling.

• Spacious door widths and hallways provide good turning radii and pre-vent accidental intrusions into walls or doors.

Testimonials

From Cal: “This has been my home for a good number of years, although I was on a waiting list for some years prior to being able to apply for the unit. I feel safe and have ample living area, along with accessing my balcony whenever I desire.”

21

Case Study: Norfolk Place Communal Garden

Vitals

• Background: the following de-scription illustrates a second-level terrace garden area in a mixed-housing multi-storey complex in an inner city Calgary neighbourhood.

Access Design Features

• Access to the garden is available to anyone in the building, via elevator.

• While there are varied levels to ac-cess different parts of this garden, gently-sloping ramps have been incorporated to allow wheelchair access to virtually all areas.

Overall design hints for additional access considerations:

• When horizontally-hinged oven doors are used for increased ease of access, ensure the door swings in the direction to allow best flow of traffic from the oven to a counter and the rest of the kitchen.

• When designing an oven with a horizontally-swinging door for ac-cess by a person using a wheel-chair, an adjacent counter or table to receive hot items is extremely advantageous.

22

Vitals

• Background: the following de-scription illustrates a second-level terrace garden area in a mixed-housing multi-storey complex in an inner city Calgary neighbourhood.

Access Design Features

• Access to the garden is available to anyone in the building, via elevator.

• While there are varied levels to ac-cess different parts of this garden, gently-sloping ramps have been incorporated to allow wheelchair access to virtually all areas.

Overall design hints for additional access considerations:

• When horizontally-hinged oven doors are used for increased ease of access, ensure the door swings in the direction to allow best flow of traffic from the oven to a coun-ter and the rest of the kitchen.

• When designing an oven with a horizontally-swinging door for ac-cess by a person using a wheel-chair, an adjacent counter or table to receive hot items is extremely advantageous.

• Even with the existence of ad-equate turning radii designed for a kitchen, it would be advantageous for toe kicks and lower portions of kitchen appliances to allow further room for wheelchair foot supports (minimizing chipping and scratch-ing of lower cupboards and kitchen appliances respectively).

• Even with the existence of ad-equate turning radii designed for a kitchen, it would be advantageous for toe kicks and lower portions of kitchen appliances to allow further room for wheelchair foot supports (minimizing chipping and scratch-ing of lower cupboards and kitchen appliances respectively).

23

• Ergonomics is even more vital for people using wheelchairs when it comes to circulation and functional-ity within a dwelling - plan for the direction of door swings in order to minimize difficulties in navigating around doors and through door-ways or hallways.

• Landscaping can play a big role with access and egress to houses – level entrances can be created through berming up to a landing level access to the main door of a dwelling.

• A potential wheelchair access alter-native is to have barrier-free ac-cess from a front-drive garage (the installation of a lift or ensuring a level entry from the garage into the house can be incorporated).

• There is more thought being com-mitted to adaptable house designs – people are considering their future retirement years, and are more likely to consider planning for future home modifications that may include barrier-free components.

• Good widths of hallways for resi-dents in wheelchairs to comfortably pass ambulatory people are also functional for moving furniture – similarly, protection on corners can apply not only to residents using wheelchairs, but for toddlers and children safety, and for other circu-lation needs in the home.

• When installing stair lifts in a house, it is advisable to purchase a lift with battery back up in case of power outages; or to have a man-ual crank back up if the owner has good upper-body strength.

General Access Design Considerations (when initiating plans for functional, yet attractive accessible and afford-able designs)

• Physical access• Sensory access• Functional access• Dual and cross-disability consider-

ations• Aging and disability considerations• Visitability• Daily living support requirements• Community inclusion

24

Case Study: Foundation Place A Comfortable Communal Living Offer

Vitals

• Background: the following liv-ing environment is a duplex that has been recently renovated for accessible living by eight people who have varied types and levels of physical disability. There are four bedrooms on each side of the duplex, with access to shared washrooms and shared kitchens. The majority of residents are from the homeless sector; and Founda-tion Place is the first permanent residence a number of them have experienced for years.

• General Contractor: Stahle Con-struction – contractors for renova-tions

Access Design Features

Overall

• Unobtrusive designs for the porch lifts on both sides of the front exte-rior of the duplex have been incor-porated.

• Adjustable shelving in the clos-ets allows for functional storage for residents with different access needs.

• Ample circulation space to enter and use roll-in showers exists.

Access to Entry & Circulation

• A public sidewalk curb ramp has

been constructed for access from designated/placard parking on the street.

• A porch lift is located on both sides of this residence, and is subtly in-tegrated with the façade of duplex.

• The veranda deck surface is con-structed of a durable and well textured finish for safety and dura-bility.

• A touch pad security system for each entrance of the duplex has been installed.

• An automatic door opener also ex-ists on each main entry door.

• An adjustable peep hole exists within each main entry door.

• Circulation on the upper floor pro-vides ease in accessing bedrooms, the bathrooms, the kitchen and the one office for the residential man-ager.

25

Washrooms

• A roll-in shower with minimal lip at the threshold provides an easy shower entry.

Testimonials

From a current resident: “I have a number of life issues and stressors, including my physical disability, and it is so reassuring that I have a welcoming/physically acces-sible and affordable place I can call home.”

Kitchen

• Electronically-height-adjustable stove and sink have been incorpo-rated into the design for ease in ac-cess by the range of residents with varied physical disabilities.

• Lever faucet controls for the kitch-en sink exist.

• Good color contrasting oven con-trols are situated near front edge of the range.

• Height-adjustable upper cupboards are also part of the kitchen design.

Keys to Success

• The duplex is a unique and offers a transitional home for people with disabilities that have also experi-enced homelessness.

• The exterior design is in keeping with the community surroundings, with only a curb ramp and desig-nated parking to hint of residents with physical disabilities.

• A holistic/universal design renova-tion philosophy allows for access by residents with a wide range of physical disabilities.

26

Accessible Housing

Housing Options & Mixers

Apartments

Condominiums

Co-op Housing & Co-Housing

Group & Communal Living

Mixed Housing

Single Family Dwelling

Subsidized Housing

Range and Type of Physical & Sensory Disabilities

Hemiplegia

Paraplegia

Quadriplegia

Cerebral Palsy

Multiple Sclerosis

Spinal Cord Injusry

Brian Injury

Developmental Disabilities

Multiple Disabilities

Sensory Disabilities (complete ranges of blindness and hard

of hearing or deafness)

Daily Living & Inclusive Living

Independent Living Supports (home care, access to adaptive technologies,

income supports, etc.

Transportation (accesible taxis, access to mass transit, own adapted vehicles,

intra & inter-city tranporations, etc.

Access to urban builtenvronments

Adaptive Equipement & Designs

Education

Employment

Health

Housing

A Coordinated Approach to Designing for Accessibility and Affordability

UniversalDesign

BarrierFree

DesignVisitability

27

Accessible Housing

A Coordinated Approach to Designing for Accessibility and Affordability

Partners & Collaboration

Building Owners &Building Managers

Committee and Coalition

Contractors & Construction

Designers

Developers

Educational Institutes:School of design; vocational schools; planning instructions

Government - 3 Levels

Professional Associates

Real Estate

Social Service & Non-profit Organizations in relation to housing, people

Parallel Movements

Adaptable Design

Affordable Design

Aging in Place

Biophillic Design

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

Flex Housing (CMHC)

Green Building Movement (LEED - Neighborhood Development)

Housing First Model

Human Centered Design

New Urbanism

Smart Growth Communities

Sustainable Development & Design

Transit Oriented DevelopmentComplex/Dynamic Interrelations &

Interactions

Appreciative Inquiry

Communites of Practice

Generative Thinking & Strategic Thinking

Learning Organizations

UniversalDesign

BarrierFree

DesignVisitability

28

The following listing of some salient movements and design paradigms are entitled “parallel movements and paradigms” due to how such movements have evolved in a number of parallel ways, and due to how they have formed different “design camps” of people from varied disciplines, design backgrounds and personal or design interests. Such “parallels” may connect on occasion, but often describe their principles or basic criteria in isolation of one another.

If one could concentrate on the associations and strengths of such movements, to function in full concert with one another, our North American society could potentially witness a transformational shift that would ultimately surpass the significant turning point of the creation of suburbia following World War II.

Some of the parallels one may note within the following listing (of this not-totally-comprehensive list of parallel movements) may be perceived to be:

• They share a holistic-design conceptual foundation

• They rely upon iterative reasoning, rather than linear forms of reasoning for design

Synergy with Parallel Movements

• They permit greater creativity, rather than assuming “one size fits all”

• They are often community based, in that communities are evolving in complex ways, with these design paradigms responding to such evolution

• They all appreciate the complex and dynamic nature of our exponentially-growing urbanized world and the related need for complexity and flexibility in design

• They all involve diverse/multi-disciplinary perspectives and coordinated practices

But how does this relate to accessible and affordable housing? Such flexibility, adaptability, complexity of design and diversity all relate to what we are aiming at for truly accessible and affordable housing. It is strongly suggested how accessibility and affordability have the same cornerstones of design that all of the following underline as their foundational principles. It is also suggested with accessible and affordable housing, we can contribute to the synergy that could be created through a “trans-disciplinarily” of all

29

of the listed movements. Accessibility and affordability housing may even be integral with all of these design paradigms and movements.

A list of some salient design paradigms and movements (not a comprehensive listing)

• Accessible Housing• Adaptable Housing• Affordable Housing• Aging in Place• Biophilic Design• Crime Prevention Through

Environmental Design• Flexhousing• Green Buildings• Housing First Model• Human Centered Design• New Urbanism• Smart Growth Communities• Sustainable Development and

Design• Transit Oriented Development• •Universal Design• Visitability

30

There are a greet variety of walker styles with different functional designs: some have hand-brakes and wheels as illustrated above, while others retain simpler designs. The general dimensions are very similar (refer to Anthropo-metrics).

Valuable Resources and References

Mobility Aides

Walker

Power (motorized) Wheelchair

Manual Wheelchair

CrutchesThis illustration relates the most ubiquitous style of crutches, but it should be recognized there are a great number of other crutch/support systems that may be used for semi-ambulatory people (in both temporary or permanent situations)

Designed for bariatric situations (people who are obese)

The size of these wheelchairs can vary significantly, and are generally longer in depth than the average manual chair – they can also be extremely heavy in weight

31

Centre-wheel Powered WheelchairThis power wheelchair design allows the user to turn with a minimal turning radius required. Such a design, how-ever, does not always provide the greatest power, trac-tion, stability and mileage prior to recharge compared to a rear-wheel-powered chair.

Tilt-in-Space WheelchairThere are situations where a wheelchair user must be either able to adjust their sitting position or to be perma-nently oriented where their back or legs are lowered to some extent (hence the need for a larger turning radius than other manual wheelchairs)

ScooterThere are many designs and configurations of scooters – some are of a light-weight design that can be collapsed and fit into the trunk of a vehicle, while others can be very heavy and extend well beyond the turning radius for a manual or power wheelchair.

Designing with Adaptable Equipment

Lowered CounterLowered counters, or even height-adjustable counter tops (controlled manually with a crank or electrically, with an electric motor) are good for access to working surfaces – it must be acknowledged, however, that such counters must be properly designed for both approach and to wheel under the counter with varied sizes and con-figurations of wheelchairs.

32

Wheel-in ShowerShowers with only a sloped threshold for entry (no lip) are extremely useful for people using wheelchairs – note this design retaining a gently-sloping floor surface for adequate drainage.

RampWhile ramps are one of the most ubiquitous and obvious access-design adaptations, it should be recognized there are situations where installing a ramp is not the correct solution. It is also important to understand proper ramp design for effective safety and functionality (type of construction, width, slope, providing properly-de-signed side guards, surface finishes, proper hand rail design etc.).

Porch LiftMany porch lift designs are very unob-trusive and, with proper planning, can blend in with the overall façade of a house or building.

33

Hoyer LiftWhen a dwelling is not structured for a track lift, residents who use wheel-chairs use a Hoyer lift to effectively and safely transfer.

Track LiftWhen planning ahead for the construc-tion of an accessible dwelling, or when conducting extensive renovations, ceil-ings can be reinforced for track lifts – these can provide for access to major rooms within the dwelling, without the resident having to constantly transfer or use their wheelchair.

Stair LiftStair lifts can be extremely advanta-geous (albeit often expensive) for adapting or retrofitting a home for a resident who uses a wheelchair or who is semi-ambulatory. There are a wide variety of designs for people using wheelchairs and for individuals who are still able to transfer.

34

Accessibility Makes necessities in the home such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms accessible for people of all ages and mobility levels (City of Edmonton, 2010).

Accessible Design Products and environments designed and constructed to be readily acces-sible to, and usable by, persons with disabilities (e.g. providing such access to public accommodation, commercial facilities, and transportation systems through the installation of ramps, curb cuts, grab bars, Braille signs etc.).

Adaptive Design Products and environments originally designed for use by the general public that have been modified or adapted to the special needs of those with dis-abilities (e.g. slip-on grips for eating utensils and writing instruments, jar and bottle openers, raised toilet seats, and add-on handles and grab bars).

Affordable Housing Describes dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed “affordable” to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is in the financial means of those within the lower in-come ranges in geographical area, the concept is applicable to both renters and purchasers in all income ranges. In the United States and Canada, a commonly-accepted guideline for

Glossaryhousing affordability is a housing cost that does not exceed 30% of a house-hold’s gross income.

Anthropometry Greek man, and measure, literally meaning “measurement of humans;” in physical anthropology, refers to the measurement of living human individ-uals for the purposes of understanding human physical variation.

Assistive Technology Includes devices for personal use created specifically to enhance the physical, sensory and cognitive abili-ties of people with disabilities and to help them function more indepen-dently (e.g. flashing door bells or TTY technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing).

Barrier-free Design Design is said to be “barrier-free” when an environment contains no architectural, design or psychological features that might prevent anyone, able-bodied or with a disability from using eh environment to the full ex-tent of his or her abilities. The entry ramps, wider parking spaces, and amplifying telephones are among the most obvious attempts to make the environment more accessible to peo-ple with functional limitations.

35

Barrier-free Housing ContinuumThe range of housing that encom-passes Visitability, Accessibility, Flex-housing and Universal Design (City of Edmonton, 2010).

ErgonomicsFrom Greek: ergon (work); nomoi (natural laws) is the study of opti-mizing the interface between human beings, and the designed objects and environments with which they inter-act; usually in the work environment. It is an applied science of equipment design intended to maximize produc-tivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.

FlexHousing (CMHC) Flexhousing incorporates features at the design and construction phase that allow people to adapt their homes to meet changing needs (City of Edmon-ton, 2010). Flexhousing is affordable, adaptable and accessible housing. It takes extra planning time, but the payoff is a comfortable home that will satisfy special needs for the future. (Sunridge Group & Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2002 p. 1).

Rehabilitation Engineering Rehabilitation Engineering is the sci-ence of studying scientific principles and engineering methodologies to address the mobility, communication, and transportation needs of people with disabilities.

Transgenerational Design Transgenerational design is the prac-tice of making products and environ-ments compatible with those physical and sensory impairments associated with human aging which limit major life activities. It rejects as discrimi-natory and stigmatizing, specialized products or devices targeted directly at older consumers. Rather, it insists products and environments be de-signed at the outset to accommodate “transgenerational” population, which includes the young, the middle aged, and the elderly without penalty to any group.

Universal Design(from a housing perspective) Creates housing that can be used by people of all ages, abilities and mobility levels, without adaptation or specialized de-sign (City of Edmonton, 2010).

Visitability Focuses on zero-step entrances, wider doors, and a main-floor bathroom that make a home’s main floor accessible to all (City of Edmonton, 2010).

36

Alberta Labour, Building Standards Branch. (1987). Barrier free design guide.Edmonton, AB: Author.

Alberta Labour, Building Standards Branch. (1992). Barrier free design guide.Edmonton, AB: Author.

Alberta Municipal Affairs (2008). Adaptable dwelling units (STANDATA).Edmonton, AB: Government of Alberta.

Associate Committee on the National Building Code. (1965). Building standardsfor the handicapped, supplement no. 5 to the national building code ofCanada. Ottawa, ON: National Research Council of Canada.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2002). Cost of FlexHousing.Ottawa, ON: Author.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (1977). Housing disabled persons.Ottawa, ON: Author.

Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (1974). Housing the handicapped.Ottawa, ON: Author.

City of Calgary. (2008). City of Calgary census. Calgary, AB: Author.

City of Calgary. (2003). City of Calgary fact sheet, poverty in Calgary, 2003.Calgary, AB: Author.

City of Calgary. (2002). A profile of persons with activity limitations in Calgary.Calgary, AB: Author.

City of Calgary Community and Neighbourhood Services Social ResearchUnit. (2009). Research brief #14, table 1, target income renterhouseholds with the presence of disability in the household that areoverspending on shelter, as a percent of all presence of disabilities in thehousehold. Calgary, AB: Author.

City of Edmonton. (2010). Making our houses lifelong homes, accessible housingfor seniors (derived from the Mayor’s Roundtable on Accessible Housing,2009). Edmonton, AB. Author.

References and Resources

37

Ismael, S. T. (2006). Child poverty and the Canadian welfare state: Fromentitlement to charity. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta Press.

Kleinfield, S. (August, 1979). Declaring Independence at Berkeley. Psychology today. pp. 67-78.

Poverty Reduction Coalition. (2008). Disability myths – get informed. Calgary,AB: Author.

Safety Codes Council & Alberta Municipal Affairs. (1999). Barrier free designguide. Edmonton AB: Author.

Safety Codes Council & Alberta Municipal Affairs. (2008). Barrier free designguide, design for independence and dignity for everyone. Edmonton, AB:Authors.

Statistics Canada. (2006). Participation and activity limitation survey, 2006.Ottawa,ON: Author.

Sunridge Group & Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2002). The costof flexhousing (Final Report).

38

Kuehn, V. S. (2005). Making what difference? How intergenerational programshelp children and families. Baltimore, MY: Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Owen, M. (2006). Housing for assisted living in the inner city Winnipeg: A socialanalysis of housing options for people with disabilities. Canadian Journalof Urban Research, 15, 1, 1-18.

Accessible Housing by Design — AppliancesLearn how to select appliances which can be easily used by people of differing ages and abilities.PDF Version

Accessible Housing by Design — BathroomsThis fact sheet provides the detail on how to successfully design a universally ac-cessible bathroom.PDF Version

Accessible Housing by Design — Fire Safety for You and Your HomeThis About Your House provides tips on how to plan for fire and emergency situ-ations in your home. It presents many quick and easy steps that you can take to prevent fires in your home and advises on measures to be taken to prepare your household including those with mobility or cognitive limitations, to respond to a fire or emergency if either should happen. Information is provided on how to plan safe evacuation strategies and designate accessible evacuation routes which are easy to use for people with activity limitations and which are flat, stable and have no stairs or steps.

Accessible Housing by Design — Home AutomationHome automation systems, or smart home technologies can control elements of your home environment, such as lighting, appliances, telephones, and home secu-rity.

Accessible Housing by Design — KitchensFunction, usability and flexibility are some of the latest trends in kitchen design that people are demanding so that kitchens work for themselves and their families as people’s needs change.PDF Version

Resources Available Through Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation

39

Accessible Housing by Design — Lifts and Residential ElevatorsThis fact sheet tells you about the types of residential lifts and elevators that are commonly available in Canada.PDF Version

Accessible Housing by Design — Living SpacesThis About Your House fact sheet provides an overview of planning and design guidelines to con-sider when creating, renovating or redecorating living spaces in your home where people meet, sleep, relax, watch TV, read, play cards, listen to music, and so on. These guidelines reflect the principles of universal design which is safer and more accommodating to everyone who lives or visits there, regardless of age or physical ability.

Accessible Housing by Design — RampsLearn about ramp design, and other issues to consider before building a ramp for your home.PDF Version

Accessible Housing by Design — Residential Hoists and Ceiling LiftsThis fact sheet tells you about the types of residential hoists and ceiling lifts that are commonly available in Canada.PDF Version

Adapting Low-Rise Residential Buildings: https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/b2c/b2c/init.do?language=en&shop=Z01EN&areaID=0000000123&productID=00000001230000000001

Design Options for Barrier-Free and Adaptable Housing: https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/b2c/b2c/init.do?language=en&shop=Z01EN&areaID=0000000123&productID=00000001230000000011

Garden SuitesWith municipal approval, a garden suite is a self-contained unit, set on relative's property with an existing single family house. This publication provides introductory information on garden suites for seniors or persons with disabilities.PDF Version

Printed by Blitzprint, Calgary