Adding an In-law suite to your home for your aging parents can be more economical than an assisted living complex. But do you know how to design an in-law suite that is both comfortable and safe? Have a Universal Design professional contractor assist you in the design and construction of your in-law suite addition.

1. Quiz on Universal Design
(Press ENTER to advance slides)
September 16, 2014
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2. 1. What is Universal Design?
Design features and products for all, regardless of age or ability
Design features and products for university students
Design features and products that only people over 50 can use
Design features and products that restrict your ability to move
around your home freely
Universal design is about creating a home for everyone, regardless of age or
ability. UD includes home design features that make a home stylish, flexible,
and comfortable for everyone who lives there.

3. 2. Which of these professionals can best assess your
home’s ability to support you and your needs?
Certified Universal Design Specialist
General Contractor
Your doctor
Home improvement store representative
The National Association of Home Builders, in collaboration with the AARP
and others, developed the professional Universal Design certification to train
home builders and remodelers to assess, design, and construct houses to
become sustainable homes for a lifetime.

4. 3. Which of the following is a Universal Design
feature?
Having kitchen facilities, full bathroom, and bedroom located
on the entry floor level
Entrances requiring the use of stairs
Narrow hallways and doors
All of the above
Narrow spaces and entrances that require using stairs restrict movement and
make it harder for everyday activities like carrying groceries into the house.
That’s contrary to universal design’s goal of creating a home that works well
for everyone. Having a kitchen, bath and bedroom on the entry floor level
enables people who live there and their guests to enjoy the home freely.

5. 4. To make your bathroom safer, you should:
Install a handheld or adjustable showerhead for easier bathing
Add grab bars (ensuring proper blocking in the walls first)
Use non-skid mats on tub or shower floors
All of the above
In the home, most slips and falls occur in the bathroom – oftentimes, getting
in or out of the tub or shower. But simple adjustments like grab bars, non-skid
flooring and mats, and adjustable showerheads can help you avoid injury.

6. 5. Can you spot Universal Design elements in this
picture?
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1. Comfort-height toilets
have seating about 2
inches taller than
normal toilets. The
extra height makes it
easy to sit down and get
up.
2. The grab bar is fastened
to solid wood backing
beneath the wall and
easily supports a
person’s weight.
3. There’s no lower cabinet
under the sink,
providing barrier-free
access to those in
wheelchairs.

7. 6. Can you spot Universal Design elements in this
picture?
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1. Flush transitions between tile
flooring surfaces ensures there
aren’t any level changes that
might cause a stumble.
2. An easy to reach hand-held
shower head allows for
showering while seated.
3. A built-in seat making
showering safe and convenient.

8. 7. Can you spot Universal Design elements in this
picture?
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1. An extra-wide interior
hallway and passage
doorway ensure safe
entry and egress from
the master bedroom.

9. 8. Universal design calls for what
minimum width for hallways?
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A. 32 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 40 inches
D. 44 inches
Although a minimum of
36” is required for the
width of hallways, wider
is preferred.
36”

10. 9. Which of the following doorknobs satisfies
requirements for universal design?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
Levered door hardware
provides the best means for
accessibility for every age
and ability. However, who
WOULDN’T want a “shake
the hand” door knob?
A.
C.
B.
D.

11. 10. What criteria are important in choosing a
contractor for my Universal Design project?
A contractor that has been certified in Universal Design
An experienced contractor in room additions and remodeling
A contractor I can trust and exemplifies honesty and integrity
All of the above
Brentwood Builders Goal
Delighting YOU with the construction PROCESS
as well as the finished PRODUCT.

12. Thank you for taking our quiz
937.766.5585