“Remodeling for Accessible Homes” guide offers ideas for making houses more accessible

“Remodeling for Accessible Homes,” produced by the First Suburbs Coalition and KC Communities for All Ages, provides ideas, sample floorplans, cost estimates and other resources for those who want to update their houses to better serve their changing needs.

In 2005, the First Suburbs Coalition released its first “Idea Book,” which was a guide for renovation for owners or prospective buyers of homes built between 1940 and 1970 who want to modernize their homes. “Remodeling for Accessible Homes” builds on those design ideas with concepts of universal design, which helps make homes and public spaces accessible for persons of all ages and abilities. Universally designed homes offer features like graded step-free entrances, wider doors and hallways, main-level bathrooms and bedrooms, front-control stoves, and space to maneuver wheelchairs and walkers, to name only a few.