There’s a fixable shortage of universally accessible homes.
It’s supply & demand. We help designers create better options to build, and help consumers have a better understanding of universal design and home accessibility.
The gap is larger than most people expect.
19%
19% of households have
accessibility needs.1
< 0.15%
Less than 0.15% of homes are
universally accessible.2
60%
There is a 60% probability
that a home will house a
person with a disability.3
63%
63% of the population is
touched by disability.4
19% of households include someone with accessibility needs. Less than 0.15% of homes are built to meet them. That gap exists not because accessible design is impossible or prohibitively expensive, but because most people don’t fully understand what it involves or why it matters.
Universal design is the approach that closes that gap. It produces homes that work for the full range of human ability, not just for people with a current diagnosis or visible disability, but for anyone whose needs may change over time. A well-designed home (1) supports better health, (2) greater independence, and (3) stronger community. An inaccessible one quietly undermines all three.
The UD Project exists because awareness precedes change. When more people understand what accessible housing looks like and what it takes to achieve it, demand increases, the industry responds, and the quality of life of many people throughout our communities improves.
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1, 2); Journal of the American Planning Association (3); Return on Disability Group (4).
Whether you’re living it or working in it, this is for you.
For homeowners, caregivers, and anyone planning ahead:
Whether you’re evaluating your current home, preparing for a family member’s changing needs, or thinking about what to look for in a future home, understanding accessibility gives you a real advantage. You’ll know what questions to ask, what features matter most, and what tradeoffs are actually worth making.
For licensed occupational therapy practitioners:
The design of the environment sits at the center of OT practice (PEO!), but that isn’t always covered in depth during training. Our courses are built to strengthen your knowledge of universal design and home accessibility, and count toward continuing education requirements (10 contact hours / 1.0 AOTA CEUs).
“Universal design can be complex, with so many factors to consider. These courses address frequently overlooked details that many people may never address and equipped me with the knowledge and terminology to effectively communicate within the field.”
— Anisha, OT
Grounded in experience. Validated by community.
The UD Project was founded by Scott and Sarah Pruett, based in Virginia. Sarah has been a licensed occupational therapist since 2009. Scott has lived with quadriplegia since 1999. Our perspective alone doesn’t define what universal design means in practice. Over more than a decade we’ve built relationships with hundreds of people affected by disability and learned from them directly.
Our courses are approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association for continuing education. Our Residential Universal Design Specifications were developed with input from nearly 200 advisors across a wide range of disabilities, impairments, and professional backgrounds.
“I never considered how the home environment impacts relationships with others and how that affects quality of life simply because someone isn’t independent at home.”
— Lauren, OT