Sun City Homes and Accessible Housing

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone!

Gretchen's 24 Feb 2000 comment about Sun City homes finally made me

decide to stop lurking and make an input. The houses in Sun City are

good, one story tract homes that have some accommodations for

disabilities. However, they are definitely not Universal Design,

barrier-free homes like those envisioned by architect Ron Mace.

I have followed the development of accessible housing since the

1980's. Because builders are concerned about salability and profit

and because most homebuyers do not want to even think about being

disabled, there has been no demand to make universal design elements

standard in housing. Mainstream housing magazines rarely mention

accessible housing, but the Nov. 1999 issue of Better Homes and

Gardens shows the Blueprint 2000 house that incorporates Universal

Design elements.

I feel the only way to get a truly accessible home is to start from

scratch and find an understanding architect and builder.

Unfortunately, this is very expensive so most people cannot use this

option. The alternatives are modifying a new tract house before

construction or rebuilding an existing home. Here are two web sites

with information on Universal Design:

www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/

www.huduser.org/publications/destech.html

A year ago my partner and I had a Sun City house built for us. It has

levers on the door locks, 32 inch wide doors, and grab bars and seats

in the showers. However, the bathrooms are not large enough to

maneuver a wheelchair close to the toilet, the kitchen cabinets are

standard type, light switches are at regular height, etc. The Del

Webb Co. offers lots of options like fireplaces, vacuum systems, and

granite countertops , but I do not believe there are any options like

a

[Guest guest]

HI Jim, I want to thank you for your information. Welcome to the list and I

am glad you spoke up:)

[Guest guest]

HI Jim, I want to thank you for your information. Welcome to the list and I

am glad you spoke up:)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/26/00 10:52:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

<< My generation was taught to be accepting.

Kat

>>

I hear that a lot from my Mom. Good point Kat.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/26/00 10:52:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

<< My generation was taught to be accepting.

Kat

>>

I hear that a lot from my Mom. Good point Kat.