Universal designs are intended to remove barriers that would limit a person's
    full use and enjoyment of their home. Some suggestions to implement include: 

• Single level floor plan 
• Design an open floor plan 
• Wide hallways and 36-inch-wide doors
• Use lever locks 
• Have a 5-foot turning radius in the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom 
• If a home has two stories have a full bath, bedroom, and laundry on the first floor  
• No threshold in interior doorways and a low threshold on exterior doors 
• Use pocket doors
• Key pad at exterior doors in lieu of keyed lockset 
• Have a shelf or bench near the exterior doors 
• Intercom system 
• Keep house low to the ground so the walkway can lead to the door without stairs 
• Use smoke detectors equipped with a strobe light 
• Motion detector lights for walkways 
• Large easy to read thermostats 
• Rocker style light switches 
• Good task lighting 
• Well lighted stairs and halls 
• Instant light after dark at entrances and in hallways
• Shower stall at least 5' 0" wide 
• Shower head with a flexible hose 
• Lever style faucets with anti scald protection
• ADA elongated raised toilets 
• Towel bar for use as a grab bar  
• Put blocking in wall for additional future grab bars 
• Pull out shelves in Kitchen cabinets 
• U shaped handles on cabinets and drawers 
• Lights under kitchen cabinets 
• Contrasting colors to define edge of counters 
• Drive under countertop 
• Range with controls to the front and easy access oven 
• Drive under sink in kitchen and bathroom
• Front loading washer and dryer 
• Phone in the bathroom and in the bedroom  
• Telephone with a strobe light for hearing impaired 
• Dishwasher that doesn't require bending or reaching to load