Builders did not respond to the Homes for Life Coalition?s request for information on how their houses have amenities that help seniors and people with disabilities in Howard County.
But that did not deter a team of coalition volunteers from completing the study by visiting 25 communities countywide.
“It does point out that this [universal design] is not at the top of their list,” said Diane Caplan, coalition president.
The coalition noted the communities? compliance with 15 elements of Universal Design including:
» Front doors at least 3 feet wide.
» Low light switches that can be reached from a wheelchair.
» Space for turning a walker or wheelchair in the kitchen and bathroom.
Of the limited data the coalition released, 52 percent included a doorway without stepsand 82 percent had a 5-foot turning radius in the kitchen.
“If you can?t get in or out of the door, all of the features inside of the home are really pointless,” said Janie Scott, coalition vice president, referring to people who use wheelchairs.
More data will be released at the June annual meeting of the Homes for Life Coalition.
The Scot?s Glen community in Columbia includes all of the design elements the coalition was looking for.
Scot?s Glen?s houses off Oakland Mills Road start at $530,000.
They are being constructed by Dale Thompson Builders, which has offices in Columbia, Clarksville, Ellicott City and Fulton.
The Homes for Life Coalition is a nonprofit that advocates for home accessibility.
If you go
» Homes for Life Coalition of Howard County?s annual meeting is at 7 p.m. June 29 at the Bain Center on Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia
