Finding the Right Expert for Designing with Special Needs in Mind

Designing for someone with special or alternative needs, whether temporary or permanent, is a task that requires a unique set of skills and considerations. Whether you’re working on a physical space, a product, or an entire home, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity is paramount. Let’s discuss the professionals you should consider hiring to make your project truly inclusive. From accessibility consultants to occupational therapists and kitchen and bath designers, finding the right experts can make a significant difference in creating a more inclusive and accommodating environment for all.

The Terminology

Living in Place, Aging in Place, Inclusive Design, and Universal Design are all approaches to creating environments that accommodate people with various needs and abilities, but they differ in their focus and scope. Here’s a brief overview of the key differences:

1. Aging in Place:
   • Focus: Aging in place primarily addresses the needs of older individuals who want to remain in their homes as they age.
   • Scope: It involves home modifications and design changes that cater to the specific needs and challenges that come with aging, such as mobility issues, safety concerns, and ease of daily activities.
   • Goal: The goal is to enable older adults to live comfortably, safely, and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
2. Living in Place:
   • Focus: Living in place is a more comprehensive concept that encompasses all age groups, including those with disabilities, not just the elderly.
   • Scope: It involves creating environments that are adaptable and responsive to changing needs, regardless of age or ability, and not just for aging individuals.
   • Goal: The goal is to design spaces and products that are user-friendly and accommodating for everyone, regardless of their current stage in life or their abilities.
3. Inclusive Design:
   • Focus: Inclusive design is a broader concept that extends beyond the built environment. It applies to products, services, and digital interfaces.
   • Scope: It focuses on designing things in a way that they can be used by the widest possible range of people, without the need for special adaptations.
   • Goal: The goal is to create designs that are accessible, usable, and enjoyable for all, regardless of age, disability, or other characteristics.
4. Universal Design:
   • Focus: Universal design is a subset of inclusive design that specifically focuses on creating environments and products that are accessible to as many people as possible, without the need for specialized design.
   • Scope: It emphasizes the fundamental integration of accessibility and usability features from the outset, ensuring that the design is accommodating to all without the need for subsequent modifications or adaptations.
   • Goal: The goal is to make design choices that result in a final product or environment that is inherently inclusive and functional for a diverse user base.

In summary, while Aging in Place and Living in Place primarily address the needs of older individuals and their ability to remain at home, Inclusive Design encompasses a broader range of users, and Universal Design goes a step further by emphasizing the integration of accessibility and usability principles into the core of the design, aiming to make everything universally accessible by design. Each approach has its own merits and applications depending on the specific context and objectives.

Consult a Professional

Whether you are future planning, planning for a degenerative condition, or for an existing disability, knowing who to call will help make the process much easier. There are many different professionals available who can help based your specific needs including occupational therapists, kitchen and bath designers, universal designers, builders, and architects.

Occupational Therapists

Occupation therapists have helped me on a number of occasions. They specialize in how the body moves based on different abilities. They have experience with medical equipment of all kinds and typically a myriad of different conditions. They may make certain recommendations to existing spaces which can be done without modifying the structure too much. Usually a handyman would be able to make most modifications as needed whether they are temporary or permanent.

Designer Professionals

Unfortunately I would say that most of the kitchen and bath and interior design sector is unfamiliar or underqualified for designing for people with alternative needs. But there are professionals who seek additional knowledge so that they can accommodate and help their clients who may have non-traditional needs. Look for interior designers and kitchens and bath designers with certifications like Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) or Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS).

Construction Professionals

Some builders and architects have made it their mission to design and build architecturally smart and accessible homes for people of all abilities. They may also hold some of the previously mentioned designations or even additional ones like Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP). These homes are often published about because of their unique and creative construction so discovering these builders may come from finding something they’ve been published in.

Consultants

There are professional consultants who have dedicated their craft to helping people of varying needs. These consultants may be designers themselves or they may just consult. They study an individual or family’s needs to learn in a greater detail of what’s going to be be required of the final product. They typically have extensive knowledge of very specific disability profiles for past clients whom they have designed for. They also study the lifespan of the disability so they know what to prepare for as we age or in the case that the disability is going to progress. These consultants work with the design and build team to make the most accommodating and accessible spaces possible. They may also know what is possible in the realm of state or federal grants that may be available to assist in the costs of completing these projects.

The Consultant’s Thoughts

As both a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), I can’t overstate the importance of hiring a professional to design for someone with alternative needs. These experts possess the knowledge, experience, and empathy needed to ensure that the design is not just functional, but truly transformative for individuals with diverse requirements. They can identify nuances that might be overlooked by others, leading to a more inclusive and accommodating result. By engaging specialists in accessibility, occupational therapy, and user experience, you’re not only enhancing the lives of those with special needs but also contributing to a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.

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