Are you building and remodeling to better meet the needs of everyone at every life stage? In this episode, Richard Duncan shares insights into how the R. L. Mace Universal Design Institute works to improve the built environment for those with disabilities. He touches on the efforts to promote universal design in the housing sector as well as potential funders who specialize in forward-thinking mechanisms to make this project viable. Let's dive into how home technology is changing the way people interact with their homes!

Richard Duncan is the Executive Director of the RL Mace Universal Design Institute. Mr. Duncan has spent over 35 years in the field of architectural and product accessibility and universal design in residential, public, and transportation environments. He has extensive experience in the design, costs, materials, and products in residential and non-residential settings. His work includes the issues of affordable housing and home and repair financing and transportation accessibility as well as community design for constituencies that include people with disabilities and older households.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 - 06:31 ] Opening Segment

• Richard introduces the R. L Mace Universal Design Institute

• Improving the way the built environment works and supports people in society

• Louis Tenenbaum's work on using 401ks to help remodel homes for accessibility

[06:32 - 12:09 ] Tap Resources to Renovate Your Home and Age Independently

• How renovating a home can be challenging and costly
• Low-income individuals may be able to access resources to help with renovations
• PACE programs are available in many states to help seniors stay in their homes

[12:10 - 17:40 ] Promoting Universal Design

• Universal design is not yet embraced by the marketplace

• There are occasional attempts to create a national registry of experts in universal design

• Challenges in promoting universal design

• Lack of advertising budgets and resistance to the reality of aging

[17:41 - 23:31 ] Exploring the Regulatory Environment for Universal Housing

• Builders of age-targeted/restricted housing finally got the message to design more accommodatingly
• Government money usually comes with special design considerations
• How the Fair Housing Act sets a minimum standard for accessibility in private-sector projects

[23:32 - 30:25 ] Closing Segment

• The impact of technology's universal design

How Smart Home technology is changing the way people interact with their home

Want to connect with Richard? Head to R.L. Mace Universal Design Institute & Better Living Design.

Key Quotes:

"We work really in the area of built environment and products that work better for the wide range of the human condition for everybody in society." - Richard Duncan

"It's not going to work if the universal housing you're trying to promote that we know works for everybody looks so radically different from all the other houses in the neighborhood." - Richard Duncan

Please check out videos of many of the podcast episodes on my YouTube channel: Accessible Housing Matters,

To learn more, share feedback, or share guest ideas, please visit my website, or contact me on Facebook and Twitter.

Like what you've heard? Please review us! That helps let other people know about the podcast.

Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing, and getting conversations going.

I'd love to learn more about what's on your mind and get your feedback about the show.

Contact me directly at stephen@accessiblehousingmatters.com to share your thoughts or arrange a call.