Disability Technology & News

UD in City of Murrieta, CA — Part 2

Building code changes recommended to better accommodate all residents
Temecula Valley News
April 28, 2006

The Murrieta Steering Committee has proposed changes to the city’s building code that would make future housing more accessible to everyone, regardless of age, physical handicap or other limitations.Final recommendations for universal design mandates were to be considered by the steering committee on April 24. Recommendations are based on existing state standards that the committee would like the city council to consider. They include wider doorways, wider hallways, reinforcements in the bathrooms for future grab bars, lower cabinets in the kitchen and easy-to-reach bathrooms and bedroom on first floors.

Other recommendations include:

• Eliminating raised thresholds and provide level landings on both sides of doorways
• Installing door hardware of a design usable by most people
• Providing navigable widths for ground floor bathrooms, kitchens and common use rooms allowing for assistance devices
• Placing electrical outlets, switches and mechanical controls for maximum usability by the majority of the populace

The new code proposes that builders of single-family tracts, townhomes and apartments incorporate universal design standards in at least 25 percent of their project.

It is estimated that such changes would add $3,000 to the cost of a new residence.

According to the 2000 Census, there were 5,238 residents, or 12.9 percent of Murrieta’s population, on disability status. The Census data also points out that 5,063 Murrieta residents, or 11.4 percent of the city’s population, are 65 years and older.

A 2000 AARP survey concluded that more than 90 percent of persons age 65 and older would prefer to stay in their current residence as long as possible. One key method to promote continuing independence in the home is to build and incorporate a number of architecturally friendly design features into new homes as they are built.

Universal design, as defined by the National Endowment for the Arts, goes beyond providing special features to segments of the population. Instead, universal design takes into account how a product, graphic communication, building or landscape can be made both aesthetically pleasing and functional for the greatest number of users.

Designs resulting from this approach are more likely to serve a wider group of people, including individuals who have temporary and permanent disabilities and everyone whose capabilities change with age.

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