Take a behind-the-scenes virtual tour of the top-rated universal design home in North America, the Universal Design Living Laboratory. www.udll.com This home received universal design certifications: EasyStep, Livable Design, and Life Flex Home. See the design features and products that make this home accessible, safe, convenient, and livable for a lifetime. Explore the details and interact with the presenter who led the design team, served as the general contractor, lives in the home, and uses a wheelchair. Participants will take away practical approaches and resources to integrate universal design and accessible design into their homes. The takeaways include resources, checklists, and tools that the attendees can immediately use in their homes to help them age in place. 

Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HpUPgwp5TfuLYOoLF9bW3g

Abstract: 

As the population is aging and people acquire disabilities as they age, they will need homes that provide independence, safety, accessibility, and convenience. People are living longer. The cost to move out of their existing homes and into assisted living is high. There are many trends in funding the care of our aging population that center around aging in place. Data shows that homes that include universal design and accessible design features such as a no-step entrance, curbless showers, grab bars, and 36” wide doors, are safer for the occupants by reducing falls.

This presentation will establish the need for universal design showing the likelihood of a disability, the benefits of universal design, and the cost to include universal design features and products. 

Learner Outcomes:

1. By the end of this presentation, participants will recognize the 20 essential universal design and accessible design features that maximize safety, independence, convenience, and peace of mind for everyone.

2. By the end of this presentation, participants will identify design solutions that enable people with multiple needs and abilities to better function in their own homes.

3. By the end of this presentation, participants will describe practical approaches to help integrate universal design and accessible design features and products into a variety of settings.

4. By the end of this presentation, participants will identify low-cost remodeling solutions to make homes more accessible.

5. By the end of this presentation, participants will identify how universal design and accessible design features can translate into optimal living environments for future housing.

Bio: 

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is a powerful, internationally recognized expert on accessible and universal design. She speaks to and consults with design and building professionals who want to design homes and workplaces that are more accessible, safe, and inclusive. She is the President of Rossetti Enterprises Inc. which she founded in 1997. www.RosemarieSpeaks.com  

In June 1998, Rossetti was crushed by a 7,000-pound tree while riding her bicycle and was paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury. She speaks about accessible and universal design from first-hand experience since she uses a wheelchair. 

Rossetti and her husband designed, built, and live in the Universal Design Living Laboratory, the national demonstration home and garden. www.udll.com This is the highest-rated universal design home in North America earning three national certifications. 

Since May 2018 she has been on the Board of Directors of the Global Universal Design Commission, Inc. where she serves on the universal design certification committee. Since December 2017 she has been a member of the National Home Safety and Modification Work Group. She has been a Certified Living in Place Professional since September 2016.

Rossetti is the author of the Universal Design Toolkit. As a foremost expert on universal and accessible design, she shares her knowledge and experience through her book, feature articles in national publications, in-person presentations, webinars, radio/TV interviews, and podcasts.

Rossetti is an inspiring entrepreneur who is rethinking design and building by spearheading discussions and experiments around re-imagined living and working spaces.