Show Notes:
Link to Kelly’s Capstone Project: UD Style Guide
Course 2: Design Guidelines for Universally Accessible Homes
Transcript:
Sarah: [00:00:00] You’re listening to Good Fit Poor Fit. Our podcast is part of The UD Project, a small business rooted in occupational therapy that looks at how the design of a home environment impacts how well people of different ages and abilities perform everyday activities. We chat about this unique perspective to boost your knowledge and help you consider what can be changed in communities like yours.
Learn more about our work at universaldesign.org.
Hi listeners. We’re back in another Good Fit Poor Fit episode to talk about one of the main deliverables of Kelly Wright’s OT Capstone project. She has an eye for style and anesthetics and wanted to work on a project that compliments our residential universal design building code to finish up her degree in occupational therapy. Kelly, you worked on a lot of things in your time with [00:01:00] us, but I would love to feature your main project as it will be a wonderful resource to so many.
Kelly: Thank you, Sarah. Yeah. Hey everyone. If you’ve listened to the past couple episodes that I’ve been on, you know, my capstone this summer has been focused on the role of aesthetics in universal design. Much of my time went into developing a universal design style guide that includes product and design recommendations for implementing UD guidelines in aesthetically pleasing ways. I will give a little rationale behind this, hopefully without repeating myself too much from past episodes. Historically, spaces and products designed specifically for accessibility have failed to consider or prioritize aesthetics. Elements of these designs are reminiscent of sterile hospital-like environments designed solely to be physically functional rather than inviting comfortable spaces someone [00:02:00] would want in their home. This has led to preconceived notions and stigma around the look of all things accessibility. Now, listener, I want you to think of what images come to mind when you think of an accessible bathroom. For me, I know that I see traditional stainless steel grab bars, white plastic shower chairs, and offset angled panel under the sink, elevated commode seat on the toilet, and not an ounce of color. White, gray, maybe a worn yellowish seems to be the color palette. Rebecca, is that very far off from what you picture?
Rebecca: Unfortunately that sounds about right. Or at least it rings true to what I would’ve thought before I learn more about this kind of stuff and aesthetics from you, Kelly. But to your point. I do think that for most people who have any consumption at all of what an accessible bathroom would look like, it’s probably pretty drab and kind of sterile and medical like you’re talking about.
But [00:03:00] Kelly, can you share with our listeners who maybe haven’t heard yet what your goal was in creating this guide and how you went about making it.
Kelly: Definitely. So the overarching goal of the guide is to expand people’s concept of the aesthetic possibilities of UD. Because the UD project already has a building code with measurements and specifics for UD elements throughout the home. It made sense for me to structure my resource based off of that.
So the style guide sort of builds on it. I got a lot of ideas after finishing the UD Project’s courses. Course number two especially, which is titled Design Guidelines for Universally Accessible Homes, goes through all the areas of the home describing those guidelines and specifics for how to make them UD. As I went through that course, I found myself thinking of ideas for implementing those guidelines in ways that I would feel happy with in my own space, and then searching for [00:04:00] products or existing design examples to represent that. Function and beauty are not mutually exclusive and there’s no reason UD can’t be colorful, warm, inviting, or whatever someone wants it to be, to match their personal style. I’m of the belief that no one should have to sacrifice feeling comfortable in their space to be able to function in it.
Sarah: Yes, that’s what we’ve been preaching on for years, and this will really help all those visual learners out there like me to show people what we’ve been talking about with universal design. If you’ve never dug into the code before, it’s quite an extensive resource. It’s divided into chapters that span all areas of the home, inside and out, and Kelly found products and real life examples of what we’ve described to give you a fantastic resource to see what really good, convenient design can look like. Of course, we’ll link it in the show notes for you.
Kelly: Yes, I included a ton of images, [00:05:00] product ideas, and linked articles to learn even more about certain topics. For example, the differences between countertop surfaces. In addition to increasing understanding, I think this style guide, is also just practically a helpful starting point for anyone designing a home or wanting to improve the usability of their space. Much of what I found was through deep dives on the interwebs, though it is worth mentioning that I had the opportunity to interview a number of designers towards the beginning of the summer who all focus on this intersection of UD and aesthetics. I asked each of them for their favorite products or companies that they thought I should look into for the guide, which gave me even more to work with.
Sarah: That’s a great strategy to get some great resources in there.
While we can’t discuss everything in your style guide today, Kelly, I’d love to highlight a few things that people often have a visual picture of in their [00:06:00] mind as being kind of… well, can I just say it, ugly, when related to accessibility. Now, sometimes we can’t get around it and functionally we need that item that might not look as beautiful.
But now in 2025, there is a lot more to choose from than there used to be. One of the things I do love, Kelly, is that you went through and depicted some examples of what not to do along with things to do, to really show people the difference in what we’re talking about. Listeners, if anything we discuss today catches your attention, we’ve put the link to the guide in our show notes so you can jump over to see what we’re talking about, plus a lot, lot more. So, Kelly, let’s jump to it. What are some of your favorite things that you featured in your UD style guide?
Kelly: Yes. Let’s get into some examples. I think one of the coolest things I came across is recessing cabinet doors as a way to accomplish under sink clearance. This can be found in section [00:07:00] 5.2.2 in the kitchen chapter, and 6.2.3 in the bathroom chapter of the guide. You’re gonna hear me say a lot of numbers like that throughout these examples, just in case anyone wants to follow along. So for UD, sinks need to have ample clearance underneath for seated access. Many people benefit from performing kitchen or bathroom tasks sitting at the sink due to things like limited endurance or decreased balance. And wheelchair users need this access in order to fully roll up to the sink. There are multiple ways to create under counter clearance that will look just as sleek and stylish as any bathroom or kitchen. With recessing cabinet doors, you still get the same look of traditional lower cabinetry when the doors are closed, but when they open, you can slide the doors back towards the wall so they become flushed with the rest of the cabinets, creating an open space for clearance when needed. [00:08:00] This is sort of like how a pocket door fully recesses into a wall when opened. If you’re struggling to visualize it or any other examples that we discuss, go check ’em out in this style guide. This is a great time to shout out Meagan Blau, who is an interior designer I had the privilege of speaking with earlier this summer. You’ll see a number of images of her work featured in the guide as she specializes in barrier free design and creates beautiful spaces that merge function with aesthetics. In Section 5.2, I included images of a kitchen that she designed, which has a modular version of these recessing cabinet doors. It includes a removable base so that the under sink area is identical to a traditional cabinet when you want it, but transforms into a roll under sink when you need it. If anyone listening is in the home building world themselves, whether that be an architect, interior designer, [00:09:00] contractor, this guide is a great resource for you to expand your knowledge bank when it comes to innovative ways to approach these design elements like the under-sink clearance. The next thing I wanna talk to you about is stairs. A UD feature needed on stairs is ample color contrast, so that anyone can clearly see where one stair stops and another begins whether they have low vision or navigating the stairs in the dark.
Can I quickly jump in here for a second? This description is reminding me of a Facebook page that popped up into my newsfeed called Death Stairs, and maybe your algorithm has had it pop up in yours. But what is quite crazy is that everyday people are posting examples of really bad stair configurations.
Sarah: So maybe the flooring is all one color, and visually it looks like the kitchen and the living room are connected without any steps. One video showed an inspector going through the house and he literally just [00:10:00] stepped off unexpectedly during the middle of his video, and you could tell how surprised he was.
So this Facebook page also includes other examples without side railings or maybe even some stairs up to a toilet, which is a very random, but you just scroll and shake your head because you just can’t believe that these things are actually in a home. But, I digress.
Now you’re gonna wanna go look it up. But Kelly, what did you find in your search as a resource to help people make steps aesthetically pleasing and safe?
Kelly: Oh goodness. Not the page being called death stairs. We definitely don’t want that, but we can make safe and functional look beautiful too. When you search up color contrast for stairs online, the vast majority of the examples are of that bright yellow caution tape on the edge of the steps. This is definitely one way to do it, but who wants that in their house? [00:11:00] As long as you have a strong light to dark contrast ratio, for example, black and white is as good as it gets, then you’re golden. Even if you are wanting to add tread tape to existing stairs, there are lots of options for less offensive colors than caution tape yellow. See chapter four of the guide, which is about circulation throughout the home, section 4.2.2 for some stair color contrast examples and product links. Another section of chapter four that I got really excited about is vinyl mats as an alternative to throw rugs. This is section 4.3.6. So rugs, we love them for many reasons, right? We all have them. They anchor space, provide warmth, texture, and visual interest. Unfortunately, they can also be a serious tripping hazard for anyone, but especially if they have trouble seeing or decreased [00:12:00] balance. They also can create friction depending on the thickness, which makes using wheeled mobility equipment more difficult. I actually mentioned this in my last episode because I feel like it is a great example of how we as OTs can be creative in our recommendations. Of course, one solution for trip resistance is to just get rid of all your rugs. While this is a foolproof way to reduce hazards, rugs have a significant aesthetic impact throughout the home that many people may not want to sacrifice. Vinyl mats can be a great alternative for a couple reasons. They’re trip resistant by nature as they lie very flat on the floor and are less likely than rugs to buckle, bunch up or curl at the corners. These mats are also often made with anti-slip features, such as a slightly textured surface that increases traction when walked on, even in the presence of moisture and/or non-slip backing of rubber silicone that [00:13:00] prevents them from sliding underneath you. These mats also won’t create the same friction against wheeled mobility as rugs, and they’re way easier to clean. Spills can be wiped up just like they would off a solid floor, making them especially ideal for areas prone to mess like the kitchen and entryway. Finally, there’s a massive selection of prints, colors, and unique designs that provide the same aesthetic look as a rug. You really cannot even tell the difference in the images that I found.
Rebecca: I think this is a really keen tip, Kelly. It can be disheartening when people are told to get rid of rugs. It may seem like a small change in a home, but rugs can add so much character to a space. So having safer, less trip prone options that are also easy to clean and stylish is outstanding and could really be a game changer for people.
And what a great exemplification of universal design. These types of vinyl mats really work for everyone and are beneficial not just for people with disabilities or [00:14:00] people who are at risk for tripping. Now, there’s one area that we haven’t hit on yet, and I feel like it is like the hot topic in the OT and design world, and so that is bathrooms.
So what’s the word here, Kelly? What ideas do you have for making a bathroom safe, functional, and beautiful?
Kelly: Agreed. This is an area of the home that we must talk about. Okay, so let’s talk bathrooms. When it comes to bathing, the most UD design approach is a flush, zero-step entry shower, that allows someone to walk or roll in without any barriers. This really shouldn’t take any convincing when it comes to style because ironically, a trend in the design world in recent years has been something called wet rooms. People may not realize that they’re implementing UD when they make a shower like this, but they are. A wet room essentially refers to a fully waterproofed bathroom where the shower area is integrated into the rest of the space, [00:15:00] often without a separate enclosure like a door. It looks sleek, it’s on trend, and it’s totally barrier free. See section 6.5.1 for examples.
Sarah: I think examples are gonna be helpful for this one because we don’t see a lot of wet rooms here in the United States. But I will chime in here and say that wet, rooms are just one way to go Yet, often have way less barriers than other styles of bathrooms. But if you’re not very keen on a wet room, there are lots of ways to configure a bathroom that include tubs, all size showers that are functional and beautiful. However, I do wanna give a shout out to OTs because we consider a lot when it comes to the configuration of all of the bathroom elements. From the location of the controls and the shower head in relation to where someone may sit or stand. If there’s going to be a door, which way does that door swing and how a person can get in and out with or without help. [00:16:00] There’s a lot of details. Which brings me to another topic, Kelly, which is shower chairs. I know you touched on that in your guide as well.
Kelly: I did, yes, I included a few types of adaptive equipment in the bathroom section that I wanna mention here. When it comes to shower chairs, building in a permanent seat is actually not the best option for UD. Those who use roll-in shower chairs need the floor space and ultimately shower chairs should be user specific as they come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. So you want to let someone choose their own shower chair and avoid building one in. Throughout OT school and my field work rotations, the classic chair with silver legs and white or gray plastic seats cemented its image into my brain. Personally, I would prefer some different options, especially if I needed a shower chair in my bathroom long term. So I was really excited to find the Michael [00:17:00] Graves Design and CVS bathroom collaboration, which is a whole line of bathroom equipment, including a really unique, aesthetically pleasing shower chair. They say on their website that this piece was, and I quote, “designed to look like actual furniture to be a luxurious bath accessory that integrates with contemporary bathroom finishes and materials.” And I think it really does accomplish that. You can check it out in section 6.5.2. Ultimately there are different options out there for shower chairs, but you just have to dig a little. Another product recommendation worth mentioning, which you’ll find in section 6.6.2 of the guide, is Ponte Giulio Grab Bars. This company makes all different types of bathroom equipment, including shower chairs, but they’re best known for their grab bars. One, because they’re gorgeous with simple, sleek options and vibrant, colorful ones. But [00:18:00] two, because they’re vinyl coated, which makes them non-slip and warm to the touch. Ponte Giulio was actually the first company to introduce vinyl coated grab bars in 1991. The coating reflects heat from your hand back to you making the bar feel warm, especially compared to cold stainless steel. So, not only are these beautiful grab bars bringing warmth and comfort to the space via their aesthetics, but they’re literally warm to the touch. Perfect example of style meeting function.
Rebecca: Yeah, that is really, really cool, Kelly. Well, warm, I guess. Not Cool. Okay. Pun aside, that’s a really great resource for people to check out. And yet another example of universal design in action. They look good, they’re functional, and I have to imagine most people would prefer something like this over a cold, ugly, traditional grab bar.
Sarah: I agree. There are also options out there now that integrate grab bars into different [00:19:00] multifunctional products like toilet paper holders and towel bars, which is a unique twist on safety too. We’ve only scratched the surface of items in your style guide. And while we were chatting here, I was thinking… so we’ve talked about the perception that universal design can be seen as sterile or medical looking. This can also be compared to people’s thinking about themselves. If they don’t perceive themselves to have a disability or need features in their home that promote convenience. Then they don’t often search out new resources and ideas like we’ve discussed today. I think there needs to be a shift in thinking that UD is just better design and not for a specific group, even though it includes people with disabilities, in the design. Kelly, what takeaways do you have for people with this project and how would you encourage them to be proactive and think differently?
Kelly: Yeah, this style guide is not just for any one [00:20:00] group. I think it is worthwhile for anyone to see it. Like you mentioned Sarah. OTs will learn about options that exist for their clients, especially when it comes to making recommendations for modifying or building functional home environments. Designers will be encouraged in that there is not just one way to implement UD, and be emboldened to use their creativity to continue this work. Anyone building a home should recognize the value of incorporating UD features and know that it can look just as beautiful as any traditional design. Most importantly, I hope that anyone with a disability feels empowered knowing that they have options when it comes to personal style and choice in their spaces, even if it is in the seemingly small elements of design, like a stylish grab bar or a vinyl mat. As this is the last episode I’ll be on for my capstone, I want to wrap up by saying a huge thank you to Sarah and Rebecca for having me, [00:21:00] also to Scott and Sarah, of course, for their mentorship throughout and giving me the opportunity to work with the UD project on this topic.
Sarah: Of course, Kelly, I know you were so excited to actually be on a podcast like your first one, you were just like so giddy. So I do appreciate all of your hard work and I’m sure our listeners will love browsing through all the examples you’ve put into this style guide. I also wanna challenge everyone listening to be inspired and to think outside the box and considering even more ways UD can be implemented in an inventive and beautiful way. The more people that see real life examples in homes, in their own communities, they’ll learn what’s possible and UD can be seen as the norm and not something specialized.
Rebecca: And wouldn’t that be the dream come true, Sarah? Thank you so much, Kelly for getting this conversation started, and congratulations on finishing your capstone. We can’t wait to see what beautiful and functional things you design in the future. And listeners take care and let us know [00:22:00] if you try any of Kelly’s recommendations.
We’ll be back soon.
Sarah: Thanks for listening to Good Fit Poor Fit. If you want to learn more… first, find more episodes with transcripts and show notes at goodfitpoorfit.com. Don’t forget to subscribe! Second, check out our courses at go.universaldesign.org.
We cover housing topics like advocacy, collaboration, home modification, universal design and task adaptations. Lastly, if you have questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, email us at [email protected]. Thanks for fitting us into your day.
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