Universal Design Tips - The New Aging in Place E-book from UniversalDesign.com

TAKOMA PARK, Md. - Oct. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- UniversalDesign.com is pleased to announce the release of their new e-book, “Universal Design Tips: Lessons learned from Two UD Homes,” available on Oct. 2, 2013. The book was co-authored by John Salmen, AIA, an architect specializing in accessibility and universal design for over 30 years, the publisher of Universal Design News and the founder of UniversalDesign.com, and Ron Knecht, whose universal design home was featured in the January 2012 issue of Universal Design News. The book showcases the authors’ two universal design homes, and includes floor plans, numerous color photographs, tips on home design and the home building process and aging in place design tips selected to help other baby boomers design, remodel or build a home that can support their needs and lifestyle for years to come.

According to a survey done by AARP, nearly 90 percent of seniors 65+ want to age in place, remaining in their homes for as long as possible. In 2011, the leading edge of the baby boom generation turned 65, and by 2030 nearly 20 percent of the entire U.S. population will be over 65 years-old. One way to address the needs of this growing demographic is through universal design, which produces products and spaces that can be used by the widest range of people possible, regardless of their age or abilities.

Universal Design Tips explains how to achieve a home for aging in place, and clarifies necessary universal design features, like no-step entrances, adequate lighting, kitchen design and accessible appliances, accessible storage, and bathroom design, including barrier free showers and grab bars. Photographs of the two houses demonstrate that universal design does not need to look institutional, and that aging in place features can be subtly and beautifully incorporated into the overall look of a home.

John Salmen’s universal design home has been featured in various media outlets, including The Washington Post, Fine Homebuilding, AARP’s television show Inside E Street and the book The Accessible Home: Designing for All Ages and Abilities. Salmen also received the 2013 Forward Thinker Award from Better Living Design for the innovative universal design features included in his house. Now for the first time, Universal Design Tips offers a complete, in depth look at this award-winning universal design house and its many aging in place features.

The e-book is available for $20 as a downloadable PDF found at http://www.universaldesign.com/ud-tips-book.html.

For more information about Universal Design Tips: Lessons learned from Two UD Homes or about the authors, John Salmen and Ron Knecht, please contact John Salmen at (301) 270-2470.

About the Authors
John Salmen has devoted his entire professional career to the field of accessible architecture and universal design.  Over the last 30 years, Salmen has authored numerous articles and books on accessibility and universal design, including “The Do-Able, Renewable Home” and “Accommodating All Guests.” Salmen is the publisher of Universal Design News, founder of UniversalDesign.com and president of Universal Designers & Consultants, Inc.

Ron Knecht’s experience with universal design started after his wife of 46 years became ill with cancer. As her health worsened, Knecht learned first-hand the importance of accessible architecture. Before Knecht’s wife passed away, she extracted a promise from him that he would move into a universal design house that would support his needs later in life.