About The Toolkit
DESIGN CHALLENGE
The features included in this Toolkit evolved from submissions to the Home Today, Home Tomorrow Design Challenge competition (watch the videos below for more on the competition and the winning design). The competition judges selected features they believe are interesting, innovative and can inspire designers, architects, engineers and homeowners. The Toolkit is not all-inclusive of every universal design feature or practice, but rather those interesting features submitted as part of the competition. Also, many of the features have corresponding cost and difficulty levels as well as how-to tips. These are intended to provide general direction; further exploration and execution will be necessary.
GOALS FOR THE TOOLKIT
- Every American should have access to affordable, livable and healthy housing.
- Make Universal Design a reality for more Americans.
- Seed ideas that are scalable and help organizations, real estate practitioners and low- and moderate-income households recognize that universal design can be a reality for them.
REPLICABILITY
While we don’t expect everyone to renovate their entire home using universal design, we know that many of the features included can be adapted to many different renovation projects. Homeowners may be interested in a graded yard, step-free routes to the deck, an outdoor deck that is the same level as the first floor, entrance weather protection, door hardware, interior doors, short and wide hallways, convenient laundry, curbless shower, spacious bathroom, kitchen conveniences and more. Through all parts of the home inside and out, you'll find inspiration.