| Description: | Visitability is an approach to design that integrates basic accessibility features into newly built homes, including a stepless entrance, wider doorways and at least a half bathroom on the main floor. Visitability also promotes affordable, sustainable and inclusive design solutions. This initiative is founded in the belief that basic architectural access features in all new homes is a civil and human right that improves livability for all. Through a collaboration between the IDeA Center and Concrete Change, an organization founded by Eleanor Smith (a leader in visitability advocacy) of Atlanta, Georgia, researchers explored the growing need for accessible housing in the United States and the recent emergence of visitability as an affordable and sustainable design strategy aimed at increasing the number of accessible single-family homes and neighborhoods. The project examined the history and fundamental principles of visitability, the associated design features and requirements, the number and diversity of visitability initiatives and programs at a national scale, and the challenges and controversies currently surrounding the visitability movement. The research team has disseminated its research findings through a variety of publications. The IDeA Center’s involvement also resulted in the drafting of ICC/ANSI A117.1 Type C units. |
| Project/Activity Leader(s): | Jordana Maisel, Senior Research Support Specialist and Director of Research Activities, Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA) |
| Unit: | School of Architecture and Planning |
| Department: | Architecture |
| City: | Buffalo |
| State: | NY |
| Country: | United States |
| External Funding: | Yes |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| Start Date: | 2000-10 |
| End Date: | 2010-09 |
| External Partners: | Concrete Change |
| Are UB students involved? | No |
