The bathroom is also a vital area that requires enough space for wheelchair accessibility as well as certain other safety features. At least one bathroom on the main floor of the house should be set up with a wheelchair in mind. It should have a raised toilet, lowered counter tops, and a curb-less shower for easy entry. Non-slip floors in the bathroom, particularly the shower area are also beneficial.

Most of the design changes that would be needed to make your house more universal design friendly are things like making space for a wheelchair to maneuver, large rocker switches, lever door handles, loop-style drawer and cupboard pulls, and other easy design choices that have an eye toward being use able by everyone. It's not hard to finish your house with some universal design elements, try to keep the principles in mind when planning your new home or renovation for best finished results. Matt Barker