This report documents the St. Louis Aging in Place Workshop which focuse don the topic of Universal Design & Accessibility. Click here to download the report.
The St. Louis workshop was focused on a design dilemma that most American communities face: Many of their current places and spaces hamper access for all but the able-bodied. Most communities are not ready for the “age wave”—for the increasing numbers of their residents who will be dealing with physical or cognitive constraints—but who want to stay in their homes and communities. Design of places and spaces can include a myriad of decisions, from allowable uses of space, the selection of an architect for an important new building, the path of new roads, placement of housing of various types—a comprehensive list would include thousands of design choices.
The pressure to design more livable, accessible communities is one that the greater St. Louis region shares with the rest of the nation. The aging population is rapidly increasing everywhere and the trend will accelerate as baby boomers age. The sheer numbers can overwhelm communities if preparations are not made now to improve design and reduce barriers to accessibility.
To be able to age in place, older adults need to live in communities willing to rethink the way their older residents will want to manage aging. Seniors, and especially boomers, will live longer, on average, than their own parents. They will want to be able take care of their health needs in their own homes and communities. They will expect to stay as active as their health permits. And they will resent the impediments caused by thoughtless design of places and spaces—and the resulting lack of access to activities they favor and to resources they need to remain independent. Fortunately, the changes in design that accommodate aging can benefit the entire community.
In a livable community, design practices result in easy access to all that a community offers, for the young and the old, for the completely able-bodied and for those in wheelchairs or using walkers. People with disabilities have a great deal of experience with design that, often inadvertently, creates obstacles to their ability to move around houses, sidewalks, streets, stores, offices, churches, schools, medical facilities and many other community amenities. The hard won battle waged by advocates for the disabled for increased accessibility has paved the way for those who are aging. However, much more has to be done.
Key Findings:
- The design of places and spaces should take into account all ages and abilities.
- In recent decades, advocates for those with disabilities have increased public attention and policymakers’ response to the need for greater accessibility of places and spaces.
- Making accessible connections from homes to all parts of a community is a very important part of designing for livability for all.
- Making the appropriate connections in a community necessitates collaboration by many.
- Many homes in older neighborhoods are often inaccessible for people with disabilities and those who are aging because they have many steps at entrances, narrow hallways and no bathrooms on the first floor.
- The principles of universal design establish important criteria for those whose goal is to design accessible places and spaces.