In early 2003, the Housing Committee of the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging was created.  Their mission was to develop a multi media public awareness campaign to increase builders' and consumers' knowledge and understanding of universal design and home modification options available to older adults. 

 

They approached the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI) to design and construct a universally designed home.  The plan for the home included features such as 36-inch doorways, kitchen shelves that are pulled out for lower cabinets, and a floor level shower.  All areas of the home were designed to be easily accessed by a person with limited mobility.  The garage and front door plans included zero step entries, allowing for easy access by wheelchair.  The plans for the basement of the property included a gradually sloping yard to the large patio doors (also with a zero step entry).

 

The Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA) and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI) held a series of Open House events at the Universally Designed Home on June 7th & 8th, and 14th & 15th, 2008 to showcase the newly built, universally designed home.  Several people from both organizations were available in the house on those days.  As prospective buyers, real estate agents, builders, politicians and friends of the community came to see this exciting house, the students, teachers and LVAA staff demonstrated the unique features of a Universally Designed home.

 

Most interestingly, several people commented that the home did not seem at all "industrial" or universally designed.  In fact, great care had been taken to ensure that the modifications made to the home were stylish and fit with the decor of the home.

 

The home remained open to builders and consumers for the month of June 2008 in order to increase their knowledge of, and therefore, demand for such design elements in new and existing housing stock.  The campaign further involved the development of an interactive DVD highlighting the universal design features of the completed home, explaining their purpose, "added" value, and cost differential to reach more than 20,000 consumers and building trade workers. 

 

The Universal Design project gave students a different perspective on building homes.  Not only did they gain experience in construction, but they got to see first hand the benefits of building a home with Universal Design features.  As the 65-plus age group continues to increase and older adults continue to have the highest level of home ownership, demand for Universally Designed homes will increase and these skills will be invaluable to the students.

 

Some of these design features were so important, that Lehigh Career and Technical Institute began implementing them in the development of other student-built homes.  The project was a true success with thousands of people exposed to the concept of Universal Design.


 


Far Left: LCTI student cuts the ribbon at the Open House Ceremony. Left: The Completed Universally Designed Home