Think Your Buyers Are Too Young for Universal Design? Think Again!

Wednesday, January 20 | 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Location: South 232

Format: Building Knowledge Session 
Level of Content: Intermediate 

Appropriate for: 55+ Housing Builders & Developers, Remodelers, Single Family - All

Track(s): Design, Land Development & Community Planning

Speaker(s): Debra Young, CAPS, M.Ed., OTR/L, SCEM, ATP, EmpowerAbility LLC, NEWARK, DE

What It’s About:
If our homes could help make everyday tasks easier and more convenient, who wouldn't want one? This is exactly what Universal Design (UD) aims to accomplish; however, the common misconception, even among builders, is often "That's not for me." or "My buyers don't need or won't buy that yet." UD is not just accessible design. It is not design only for someone who is a senior, or already has illness, injury or disability. It is design for everyone. This session aims to dispel the myths of UD, and demonstrate how UD features can meet the needs across every generation. You will learn how to seamlessly integrate the features into a space and market the invisible beauty to all consumers.

What You'll Learn:
Demonstrate the paradigm shift of Universal Design as an emerging residential design trend to meet needs across all generations.
Learn how to communicate the differences between Universal Design, accessible design and the concept of Aging-in-Place.
Identify and differentiate between accessible versus Universal Design spaces, and apply product usability analysis via UD principles.
Identify and discuss marketing of homes with Universal Design features to prospective buyers.

Continuing Education: NAHB - 1.00 CE hour(s), NKBA - 0.1 CEU(s)