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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Record attendance for Latino student gathering Robotics teams showcase their creations at ScienceWorks in Ashland on Saturday RVTD decides against moving Talent bus Wet weekend predicted for Rogue Valley New Ashland cell tower light angers neighbors Education Record attendance for Latino student gathering Robotics teams showcase their creations at ScienceWorks in Ashland on Saturday Rogue Valley musicians shine in OLLI’s spring class schedule Work your body to save your braaaaains Ashland robotics team fares well at Oregon City Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Ashland Rowing Club members put their backs into Emigrant Lake clean-up The birdman of Bellview Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Ride & Drive: 2015 Honda Civic sedan Silvio Calabi: Mercedes-Benz ML250 raises the diesel 4×4 stakes Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Silvio Calabi: Volvo XC60 is sexy safety in an SUV Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Mark L. Hopkins: Looking for a political straight shooter Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out today Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Federal investigation of Kitzhaber to focus on potential financial crimes Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Death Notices Jolie Ann Eleanor Johnson Henry Allen Hamlin Shiela Marie Death Notices Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Young shoots Ducks into Pac-12 title game Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Raider softball team opens league play with split at Northwest West's 32 powers No. 21 Southern Oregon into Elite Eight Cold-shooting Raiders fall to Tabor in second round High school Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Ashland High's Honsinger tops field in final nordic ski meet Grizz snowboard team heads to state with repeat potential Grizzlies let second-half lead slip away in season-ending loss to CV Williams named first-team all-star Southern Oregon University Young shoots Ducks into Pac-12 title game Raider softball team opens league play with split at Northwest West's 32 powers No. 21 Southern Oregon into Elite Eight Cold-shooting Raiders fall to Tabor in second round Ducks get hot, fend off Buffaloes in Pac-12 quarters Voices Latest Stories Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war Letters to the Editor, March 14 Matthew T. Mangino: Leniency or smart punishment strategy Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Editorial Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Our View: Ashland backs residents over visitors in lodging decision Our View: No need for blame in Hannah Thomas-Garner case Our view: Ashland tackles school attendance areas the right way Letters Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Letters to the Editor, March 11 Letters to the Editor, March 9 Letters to the Editor, March 7 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Columns Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Jeffrey Gillespie: The opaqueness of Hillary Clinton Editor's Notes: Rooting for Eliza Schaaf in The Arc dance competition Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Movie listings: March 13-18 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Community blog: Take a peek at poet Scott Wozniak Community blog: Memorize poems with your whole body Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Ticket availability Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Ticket Availability Music The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Alice DiMicele plays Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Wrecking Crew’ is a look at the people who really put the bomp Movie review: ‘Cinderella’ is an instant classic Shailene Woodley returns as Tris in ‘Insurgent’ Movie listings: March 13-18 'Chappie' fails to make you care Food and Drink Sammich does it Chicago-style Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Inner Peace: A man is influenced by the company he keeps Community Blog: Grievances or Peace: That is the question Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Life Lessons and Loves: The year of the stamps — and their many values Looking Up: Amazing age of discovery Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ticket Availability ... Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war ... Ticket Availability ... Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war ... Using universal design Comment By Laura Firszt Networx DailyTidings.com By Laura Firszt Networx Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 7:12 AM By Laura Firszt Networx Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 7:12 AM » Social News Universal design is one of the most important trends in residential construction and home improvement today. Also known as disabled access or visitability, this type of design allows everyone to enter and exit a house, move from room to room, and use the facilities. It is essential not only for family members who have limited mobility but also for visitors with physical challenges (hence the term visitability). Although remodeling to accommodate a disability may seem like an overwhelming project, there are actually certain specific guidelines to follow, as specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). What’s more, your local government may offer financial incentives. What is universal design exactly? Universal design must include the following three fundamental components: 1. At least one entrance to the home must have zero steps. Grading or an appropriately designed ramp should be used where there is a slope up to the entrance. 2. The doors to all interior rooms and bathrooms must be built with a minimum of 34 inches of clear passage space. 3. There must be bathroom facilities on the house’s ground level -- at least a half bath (that is, a toilet with raised seat and a sink), but preferably a full one, including a universally accessible shower. In addition, numerous other modifications will make the home safer and more convenient for individuals with limited abilities. Some of the most useful are: slip- and trip-resistant floor surfaces to allow easy movement of wheelchairs or walkers glare-free lighting with readily reachable, rocker-type light switches higher kitchen counters and accessible shelving kitchen and bathroom sinks offering adequate knee clearance lightweight interior doors which require minimal physical strength to open and close easy-to-grasp door handles and cabinet pulls in place of knobs wall-mounted grab bars, especially in bathrooms tiled shower seat an elevator to the upper floor(s) an emergency call system Consult a skilled remodeling contractor who is familiar with the ADAAG. Together you can decide which renos are best for your home, and how to incorporate them in a way that is both functional and attractive. Who needs universal design? For some time already, special building accommodations have been accepted as necessary for adults and children who depend on wheelchairs for mobility, as well as people using walkers or canes. However, there are also less visible handicaps such as weakness, stiffness, vertigo, and so on, due to age, injury, or diseases like osteoporosis or arthritis. Not only does universal design benefit individuals born with a limitation, it also permits aging in place. Unfortunately, remodeling to accommodate a disability may suddenly become an urgent priority when a family member is involved in a serious accident, suffers a heart attack or stroke, or experiences the rapid onset of a debilitating illness. Government involvement A handful of cities require by law that all new homes be constructed according to universal design principles, and the number is growing. When it comes to retrofitting, the approach is more the carrot than the stick. Many communities offer incentives, such as property tax abatement on the value added by the remodel, to equip your home for special needs. NOTE: It is necessary to inquire about whether this type of program exists in your locality before applying for your building permit, and be sure to specify in your permit application that you would like to request the incentive. Otherwise, you may not be eligible. Please note that many of these incentives are granted for visitability remodels, making them available not only to homeowners who must remodel to accommodate a disability but also to those wishing to provide universal accessibility to their guests or to prepare for eventual aging in place. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com. This post originally appeared here: http://www.networx.com/article/disabled-access-remodel-aka-universal-de. By Laura Firszt Networx DailyTidings.com By Laura Firszt Networx Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 7:12 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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