Accessibility & Universal Design

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Frequently Asked Questions about Housing for People with Disabilities

This information from the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia’s (ECNV) has answers to frequently asked questions about affordable, accessible housing.  It explains universal design, the difference between accessible and adaptable housing, what the Fair Housing Act requires and many more housing issues that affect people with disabilities. 

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Accessibility Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions on accessibility guidelines of the Fair Housing Act.

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Accessible Customer Service Practices for Hotel & Lodging Guests with Disabilities

Information for businesses from the U.S. Department of Justice about customer service practices that assist people with disabilities.
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Adaptable & Accessible Housing Checklists

An adaptable house has certain structural features that make it possible to modify to accommodate people with a wide range of physical abilities. An accessible home is one equipped with specific features or technologies to accommodate people with different disabilities.
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Center for Universal Design

A national information, technical assistance, and research center that evaluates, develops and promotes accessible and universal design in housing, commercial and public facilities, outdoor environments, and products.
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Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)

Program teaches the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.
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Home Modification - Online Education

Learn more about home modifications through online courses: Executive Certificate in Home Modification Program and Speciality Courses in Home Modification by IDEAS.
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Home Modification Frequently Asked Questions

Answers common questions received by the National Resource Center for Supportive Housing and Home Modifications.

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Informed Consumer's Guide to Accessible Housing

Information defining accessible homes and resources to assist with accessible housing.
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Making Historic Properties Accessible

Discusses the complex issue of providing accessibility at historic properties, and underscores the need to balance accessibility and historic preservation.
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National Directory of Home Modification Resources

State-by-state links that may include local area or state agencies on aging, housing finance, housing and community development and more.
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National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research Facilities: Universal Design & Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Information on universal design principles and in particular how they give better access to people with disabiilities.

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Practical Guide to Universal Home Design

Information on ways to apply principles of universal design in the home. Room by room, this checklist can help you consider your options and make your home easier and safer to live in independently. This link opens a PDF document.
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Principles of Universal Design

These seven principles may be applied to evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments.
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Rehabilitation Engineering & Research Center (RERC) on Universal Design: Visit-ability Page

Information on an affordable, sustainable and inclusive design approach for integrating basic accessibility features into all newly built homes and housing.
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Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Universal Design

Part of the State University of New York at Buffalo, RERC researches and develops critical tools for advancing the field of universal design and works to apply those tools to develop products and places through industry partnerships.
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The Idea Center

Home page of the University of Buffalo Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center on Universal Design.
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Universal Design Education Materials Online

Designed to support the teaching and study of universal design, an approach to the design of all products and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.
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