So how can

a home be made more comfortable for the disabled? Below are some of the

most popular universal design products.

Bath

Every bathroom

is full of potential safety hazards such as slippery floors, bursts of

scalding water, and showers or tubs in which movement is difficult. But

for a person with a disability, these hazards are magnified.

Grab bars,

bath grips and tub safety bars can be installed to provide support and

easy maneuvering in the bathroom. Though these elements were once sterile

and institutional looking, manufacturers are going to great lengths to

make these safety features fit into the overall style of the room. New

offerings include contemporary and traditional designs with unique finish

options such as attractive polished brass, subtle whites and brushed stainless.

"To design

our home care products line we consulted with a foremost expert in the

universal design field, Patricia Moore, about how to better meet the needs

of this diverse population," explained Mayer. "We discovered

that most complaints about universally designed products were their 'clinical'

look, which make people reluctant to put them in their homes. That is

why manufacturers are aiming to design products that deliver a higher

quality of life, without sacrificing style."

For bathing

purposes, choose a tub or shower seat and a hand shower that can be utilized

a person is able to manipulate the force, flow and direction of the water

without having to reach the top of the shower. Be sure the hand shower

you choose has a large dial formed from a non-slip material to make it

easy to hold and use in a wet environment.

Because the

risk of scalding increases for the disabled or elderly, equip your home

with a pressure-balanced shower system. Its valve maintains an even water

temperature so shower users will not feel a hot or cold surge in water

(commonly referred to as "shower shock"). Even when running

a dishwasher or flushing a toilet, the valve ensures that the shower temperature

remains consistent, comfortable and safe.

Overall, creating

a bathroom that is easy to use is key. Even things that most people take

for granted, such as changing the toilet paper roll or reaching for a

towel, need to be carefully designed for someone with physical challenges.

For example, Creative Specialties International offers a single post toilet

paper holder that can be changed with one hand and a three-quarter inch

towel ring that makes it easier to grab a towel.

Special concerns

also need to be addressed in the toilet area. Toilet seat risers and arms

allow a disabled person to position him or herself on the toilet without

assistance. In addition, there are toilet manufacturers now making wheelchair-height

toilets so physically challenged persons can maneuver easily from one

to the other.

To complete

the universal design bathroom, faucets must have lever handles so they

are easy to activate, especially for those with a prosthetic device or

persons who may suffer from arthritis. But today's lever handle faucets

are far from dull many different finishes and styles help create an elegance

in the bath with dramatic designs while still being "universal,"

such as the Asceri and Monticello collections from Moen.

Kitchen

The differences

between a universal design kitchen and a regular kitchen may be subtle,

but according to the Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, 14 percent of the

U.S. population have a disability, so providing a user-friendly kitchen

for these individuals is of the utmost importance.

Varying cabinet

heights are a key component of a universally designed kitchen. Although

the standard kitchen cabinet height is 36 inches, for those in a wheelchair

or those who have difficulty bending and reaching, the height should be

lowered to 28 or 32 inches. This allows a seated person to have better

access to the countertop, drawers and cabinet contents. Cabinets with

full extension rollouts allow items placed in the