Universal Design: Design for Every Body

Universal Design Design for Every Body
Universal design is an approach to making homes livable for anyone; aging baby boomers are expected to make such demands.

Home accessibility improvements for the disabled may come from an unusual quarter in the future -- youth-oriented baby boomers who are starting to feel the physical aches and pains of aging.

The oldest boomers are approaching 60. If history is any guide, this generation isn't likely to tolerate many restrictions on their active lifestyles. They will demand and receive not only better drugs and medical care, but improved home designs and features to accommodate their bodies' changing needs, say San Luis Obispo County home builders and disability advocates.

Many of the changes will come under the guise of universal design, an approach to making homes livable for anyone -- not just for disabled residents. Some features, such as wider halls and doorways and no-step entries, will be largely unnoticeable. That's the point, say supporters of the concept.

"Successful universal design works for everybody," says Paul Wolff, a local architect and retired Cal Poly professor who championed universal design principles in his classes. "Rather than seeing it as something just for the very young or very old, it is simply good design."

Those ages 45 to 60 make up one of the largest and fastest-growing populatio