IQ Fifty Plus Guide

Leading an Active Life

Adapting a Home for Independent Living

In addition to information on accessible housing design, these websites provide specific tips, guidelines and resources for adaptive housing projects both new and modified.

Infinitec.org has a useful section on home modifications that includes possible modifications room by room.

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Housing Modification
This university-based research and advocacy group provides information including resources for designing and building housing or modifying housing that enables aging individuals and individuals aging with disabilities to live independently. Much of their information is useful for persons and families of all ages.

Home Design
This section from AARP discusses universal design modifications appropriate for each room of a home including a checklist for each room.

Home Changes: Accessible Home Modifications Can Make Your Life Easier
This article by a contracting firm specializing in adapting homes discusses the types of modifications possible, particularly for wheelchair accessibility, and provides links.

The Design Linc presents design tips for creating accessibility for both the exterior and interior of a home. The site also has samples of accessible and adaptive products and fixtures for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and laundry. There are links to other organizations, resources and product manufacturers.

The National Easter Seals Foundation
Provides information and resources for shopping for accessible housing, for adapting housing including tips and a home checklist. Easter Seals promotes increased awareness and availability of accessible housing, and also provides information on making a home more safe and accessible.

The Accessible Kitchen and The Accessible Bathroom
These articles by Leon A. Frechette from asktootalk.com provide an overview of criteria, resources and products for creating accessibility for these areas of the home.

Accessible Landscapes: Designing for Inclusion
This design booklet, available online, covers the principles of accessible outdoor landscapes and provides examples of inclusive paths, plazas and furniture. Directed primarily to public spaces, it also has useful ideas for homeowners.

IQ links to sites provided by a variety of sources. We review sites for credibility and reliability, but IQ, of course, can't control advertising and other links on these sites. We advise ignoring pop-up ads, links to sales of products or services, and the like.