Universal Design

Universal design  details the areas for lifetime use for all users when building a home.  Accessibility is extremely important for particular users such as the elderly, people with disabilities and young children to navigate around a building. The approach to the dwelling is important for wheelchair users. The access route must be a minimum width of 900mm. 



Inclusive design meets the needs of all users regardless of their age, gender, race and mobility abilities. It also is about creating places that can be enjoyed by people from all Cultural & Socio - economic backgrounds. Providing steps and ramp access promotes an approach which allows all people to use space in the same way and on equal terms.

I have ensured that the layout of my houses both internally and externally should accommodate access to all types of people, young and old, the physically able and disabled. The front entrance of my house is on the same level as the footpath outside to accommodate for a wheelchair.

I have designed my home to be open plan for with a large living area as you enter the home. I based my thought process behind this with universal design in my mind as it gives a person on a wheelchair plenty space to manouvre.

I have also designed to have a wheelchair friendly bathroom and a bedroom downstairs to cater for the future plans incase someone who is in a wheelchair needs this accommodation. 

Road access to this site is also important, the site must have a safe entrance from the main road to avoid accidents but also give pedestrian access from the main road. I have designed my entrance point by using the existing entrance to elm park as the main access area
and having a pedestrian entrance at the front of the site facing the road will allow for this, while also giving easy access to essential services like the bus stop across the road. 

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