Q: Isn't this something for me to think about later in life?

A: Universal design has benefits throughout your lifespan. For instance, a no-step entrance provides easy access into a house whether you're a young parent pushing a baby stroller, a 35-year-old favoring a knee injured in last weekend's basketball game, a teenager cruising in a wheelchair, or an 85-year-old using a walker.

Another example: Think about the benefits of having at least one kitchen counter area that's low enough to allow sitting while working. "All of us are tired at times," Yearns notes. "If you've had a long day on your feet, it's easier to sit down to prepare a meal."

Q: Can I incorporate universal design into my existing home?

A: It's easiest, of course, to include universal design features in a new home you're building. Major remodeling projects present another good opportunity for incorporating these features. But even if you have no plans or few resources to build or remodel, "there isn't any house that can't be improved to make it easier to live in," Duncan said.

Q: Is universal design catching on?

A: More people are paying attention to it, and some communities are taking steps to promote universal design. For instance, the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, Ill., has an ordinance requiring every newly built home in the city to have basic universal design features. Delaware isn't there yet, but thinking of putting Universal Design in your home is good.

Q: What is universal design?

A: Put simply, it's design features and layout that work for everybody, no matter your age, size, or physical abilities. Universal design elements "are blended into the overall house design," explains Richard Duncan, executive director of the R.L. Mace Universal Design Institute, Chapel Hill, N.C. "It has to work well for people and look good."