Bronze Level

Entrances

Stepless Entrances

• At least one stepless entrance is essential; if only one, not through a garage or from a

patio or raised deck.

• Level bridges to uphill point.

• Drive and garage elevated to floor level, so vehicles do the climbing.

The Center for Universal Design

• Earth berm and bridge and sloping walk details.

• Site grading and earth work (with foundation waterproofing) and sloping walks at 1

in 20 maximum slope.

• Avoid ramps. If ramps are used, integrate into the design.

• One-half inch maximum rise at entrance thresholds.

• Space at entry doors should be a minimum 5’ x 5’ level clear space inside and outside of

entry door for maneuvering while opening or closing door.

• Clear door opening width (34” minimum = 36” wide doors), for all entrance doorways.

• Build deck at same level as house floor.

• At least one bedroom and accessible bathroom should be located on an accessible ground

floor entry level (same level as kitchen, living room, etc.).

• Clear door opening width (32” minimum, 34” - 36” wide doors), for all doorways.

• Clear floor space (18” minimum) beside door on pull side at latch jamb provides space

to move out of the way of the door swing when pulling it open.

• Circulation route (42” minimum width) to provide maneuvering room in the hallways

and archways.

• Stair handrails placed on both sides of stairs

At least one bathroom on the accessible level must have one of the following accessible bathing

fixtures:

• Minimum 5’ x 3’ (4’ preferred), deep curbless shower

• Adequate maneuvering space: 60” diameter turning space in the room and 30” x 48”

clear floor spaces at each fixture. Spaces may overlap.

• Clear space (3’) in front and to one side of toilet allows for easy maneuvering to and

around toilet.

• Toilet centered 18” from any side wall, cabinet or tub.

• Broad blocking in walls around toilet, tub, and shower allows for future placement and

relocation of grab bars while assuring adequate load-bearing and eliminates the need to

open up wall to add blocking later.

• Single-lever water controls at all plumbing fixtures and faucets.

• Mix valve with pressure balancing and hot water limiter prevents scalding people who

cannot move out of the way if water temperature and/or pressure changes suddenly.

• Space between face of cabinets and cabinets and walls should be 48” minimum.

• Full-extension, pull-out drawers, shelves and racks in base cabinets for easy reach to all

storage space.

• Adjustable height shelves in wall cabinets.

• Pantry storage with easy access pull-out and/or adjustable height shelves for easy

reaching of otherwise hard-to-get items.

• Single-lever water controls at all plumbing fixtures and faucets.

• Power operated overhead doors.

• Light switches above floor, 36” - 44” maximum, and thermostats at 48” maximum

height.

• Electrical outlets, 18” minimum height, allows easy reach from a sitting position as well

as for those who have trouble bending over.

• Electrical panel with top no more than 54” above floor located with a minimum 30” x

48” clear floor space in front.

 Silver Level

Stepless Entrances

• Make all home entrances stepless.

Other Entrance Features

• View of callers for all people, including children and seated users through sidelights,

wide angle viewers, TV monitors, windows in doors, and/or windows nearby.

• A place to put packages while opening doors: built-in shelf, bench or table with knee

space below located on the outside next to the door.

• A way for visitors to communicate with residents, such as lighted doorbell at a reachable

height, intercom with portable telephone link, and/or hardwired intercom.

• Address/house number should be large, high contrast, located in a prominent place, easy

for friends and emergency personnel to locate.

Interior Circulation

• Turning space in all rooms (5’ diameter).

• An open plan design, minimizing hallways and doorways and maximizing sight lines.

• Floor finishes that minimize glare, are slip resistant, and offer low resistance to walking

or rolling.

Vertical Circulation

• All stairs to have appropriate width and space at the bottom for later installation of a

platform lift, if needed.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms on the second floor should follow guidelines.

At least one bathroom must have one of the following accessible bathing fixtures:

• tub with integral seat, water proof floor, and a floor drain.

• Other bathrooms in the same house may have a tub with an integral seat or a 3’ x 3’

transfer shower with “L” shaped folding seat and 1/2” maximum lip (curb) in lieu of

fixtures described above. When more than one bathroom has the same type of bathing

fixture (a tub, shower, wet area shower), at least one shower should be arranged for lefthand

use and one for right.

• Knee space under lavatory (29” high) allows someone to use lavatory from a seated

position. May be open knee space or achieved by means of removable vanity or fold-back

or self-storing doors. Pipe protection panels must be provided to prevent contact with

hot or sharp surfaces.

Kitchens

• Clear knee space under sink (29” high minimum) allows someone to use the sink from a

seated position. May be open knee space or achieved by means of removable base

cabinets or fold-back, bi-fold (Door Ease), or self-storing doors. Pipe protection panels

must be provided to prevent contact with hot or sharp surfaces.

• Adjustable height work surfaces (28” - 42”), electrically powered, continuously

adjustable counter segments, some with cook tops and/or sinks and disposal units (e.g.

Adjustable Systems, Inc.)

or

• Mechanically adjustable counter segments, some with sinks and disposal units, some

with cook tops, adjustable in 2” increments (28” - 42”) allows in-kitchen work for people

of all heights, those with back trouble, people who are seated, and/or children.

• Built-in oven with knee space beside, set for one pull-out oven rack at the same height as

adjacent counter top.

• Drop in range with knee space beside, top set at 34” above finished floor.

• Dishwasher raised on a platform or drawer unit, so top rack is level with adjacent

counter top, puts bottom racks within easy reach requiring less bending.

Laundry Areas

• Laundry sink and counter top surface no more than 34” above finished floor with knee

space below.

Storage

• Motorized cabinets that raise and lower.

• Power operated clothing carousels.

Garages And Carports

• Door height and headroom clearances (8’ minimum) for tall vehicles or provide

alternative on site outdoor parking space.

Hardware

• Easy to use, requiring little or no strength and flexibility:

lever door handles

push plates

loop handle pulls on drawers and cabinet doors—no knobs

touch latches

magnetic latches in lieu of mechanical, keyless locks

Windows

• Crank operated windows.

• Power operators whenever possible.

Sliding Doors

• Exterior sliding doors: - drop frame and threshold into sub floor to reduce

upstanding threshold track, or ramp the finished flooring to top of track on both

sides.

• Interior pocket doors: When fully open door should extend 2” minimum outside door

jamb and be equipped with open-loop handles for easy gripping..

• By- passing closet doors - each panel should create an opening at least 32” clear

Copyright “The Center for Universal Design” (2004) The infomation below is very helpful and was found on the North Carolina State University website. It shows a good way to improve your life. They put the products in three groups to show how to improve your life alittle or alot.  If you would like to read more, please go to the useful links page and click the NCSU site.