Celebrating our own independence for years to come – aging in place

July is a time when we celebrate America's Independence, but July 26th is also National Disability Independence Day. This is a time to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed on July 26th 1990, protecting the rights of people with disabilities and creating environments that are more accessible for all individuals to learn, work and live in. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is divided into 5 sections or "titles" that relate to different areas of public life: Title 1 Employment (helps people with disabilities gain access to the same employment opportunities and benefits available to others), Title 2 State and Local Government (prohibits discrimination in programs, activities and services provided by public entities), Title III Public Accommodations (requires businesses who serve the public to make "reasonable modifications" to serve people with disabilities), Title IV Telecommunications (mandates communication companies to provide methods for use by those who are hearing and speech impaired), and Title V Miscellaneous Provisions (looks at the ADA as it relates to other laws and considers things like insurance coverage and details conditions that are not to be considered disabilities). According to Lex Friedan of the ADA National Network https://adata.org/learn-about-ada/, in a discussion entitled "Disability and our Aging Population", an issue on the horizon for the Americans with Disabilities Act is the growing number of seniors in the U.S. due to the aging of the Baby Boomers, and the growth in population over age 65 expected to reach 75 million by 2030. Because of the increased risk of debilitating chronic diseases that comes with age, it is possible the number of people living with disability may increase by 37 million in the near future, nearly doubling the current population served by the Americans with Disabilities Act and putting a strain on the system that supports those needing accommodations or assistance. One initiative that helps to address the issue of declining mobility and allows individuals the opportunity to "age in place" with greater independence in their own home is Universal Design. Kathy Tutt, Ohio State Assistant Professor and Extension Educator shares that "the concept of universal home design was developed to improve the function of a home for all of its occupants, regardless of age, ability or mobility. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ss-190-02. There is work at Ohio State that helps educate Ohioans about Universal Design and supports efforts to make modifications to their living spaces to accommodate decline in mobility and/or allow use by those living with a variety of disabilities. In the list of Top 10 Universal Design Features for Your Home, which support a safe and accessible living space as we age: • Doorways that are at least 32" wide and 42" wide hallways.• Handrails on both sides of all stairways, indoors and out and elimination of stairs when possible.• Walk-in/roll-in shower with handheld adjustable showerhead and seating options.• Grab bars in shower/tub areas and beside toilets.• Accessible storage areas with multiple height and/or adjustable shelves in kitchen cabinets and closets.• Lighting features which include more accessible outlets (18" from the floor) and wall switches (48" height), increasing visibility with dimmer switches and lighting options for walkways, hallways and stairs.• Easy grip handles and controls such as lever handles for doorways, D-shaped drawer pulls, 1 handled faucets and touch pad controls.• Work surfaces and appliances, which are accessible at a variety of heights with front openings and controls, allowing for use while seated.• Safe flooring with low or no thresholds and non-slip/non-glare surfaces. If using carpet, it should be low pile for ease of use with walkers or wheelchairs.• Safety devices in place, including smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, automatic night lights, and anti-scald devices on water systems. The Ohio Agribility team has also compiled a list of Universal Design Recommendations for the farm setting: https://agrability.osu.edu/resources/universal-design/recommendations, which expands these considerations to outdoor work areas and equipment. If you are interested in how well your living space might accommodate changes in ability that may be on the horizon, the Association for Retire Persons AARP has a Home Fit Guide (https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/housing/2020/homefit/AARP%20HomeFit%20Guide-Singles-05222025.pdf), which examines every area of a home and provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of features that support aging in place. Readers may also want to check out Ohio State Extension's Universal Design Resources and Videos webpage at https://fcs.osu.edu/programs/healthy-relationships/universal-design/resources-and-videos. For those attending Farm Science Review this fall, stop by the OSU Extension Universal Design display, which allows visitors to see and experience many Universal Design features in person. Jennifer Little, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Hancock County.