Housing for the 21st century is changing. More than ever, it is necessary to design living space that meets the needs of all people, young, old, short, tall, disabled and able-bodied. There's an exciting design principle called Universal Design that helps achieve this objective. Using Universal Design and applying principles for affordable building techniques results in a product that serves a broad range of people.
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Dementia Design Guidelines: Home and Community Care Capital Works Program 2nd Edition
This report was written, at the request of the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC), for service providers, architects, interior designers, etc, to improve the ability of adult day centres to provide a safe environment which caters to the specific needs of people with dementia. The report provides a checklist for dementia design guidelines and case examples of modified existing dementia respite centres. The second edition has a reviewed and streamlined checklist section and some updated content.
Dementia Day Care Centre Design
A document detailing guidelines for the design of a dementia day care based on 9 principles.
Universal Design
A site Providing information on universal design. Also provides design plans and pictures with explanation of modifications.
Department of Public Works: Smart Housing Universal Housing Design Booklet
Smart Housing is good practice in designing, planning and building homes to make them moresocially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
In a Smart House, you will be able to move around more easily, feel safer, save money and help the environment. You and your family can live in a Smart House through all stages of your lives.
Smart Housing has been developed in response to the demand for housing that better meets people's needs and responds to the Queensland climate while saving money.
NSW Home Modification and Maintenance State Council - NSW HMMS
- All users
- assessment
- assistive device
- bathroom/toilet/lavatory
- bedroom
- corridor / pathway
- design
- door
- electricity
- entry/ atrium
- floor
- furniture
- garbage
- garden
- gate
- grabrails
- gym
- health improvement
- housing improvement
- information
- injury
- kitchen
- landing
- laundry
- legislation compliance
- libary
- lift
- lighting
- lounge
- maintenance
- modification
- modification (redesign)
- parking
- patio
- plumbing
- policy compliance
- pool/spa
- product
- rail
- ramp
- regulation compliance
- rumpus/family
- safety improvement
- security
- shed
- stair
- study/office
- telecommunication
- threshold
- wall
The NSW Home Modification and Maintenance Services (HMMS) State Council is the peak organisation for the HMMS industry in New South Wales.
AARP - home design
This is a comprehensive site that provides information on universal design for the home. This section of their website provides comprehensive checklists that can be used to assess the accessibility and universality of your home’s design. Included are checklists covering doors, floors and walkways, bathrooms, kitchens, safety, lighting and storage design. The questionnaires address such aspects as lighting, positioning, safety, reach, type and design of fixtures and home areas.
Lifetime Homes
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Habinteg Housing Association and Helen Hamlyn Foundation worked together to develop the '16 lifetime homes standards'. These standards described on the website create a flexible blue-print for accessible and adaptable housing in any setting.
IDEA - Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
This is the home page for IDEA, it provides users with information on IDEA's current projects and publications. The bright ideas section advertises recently developed products, each product is pictured next to a written description and information on where the product can be obtained.
TADVIC - Technical Aid to the Disabled in Victoria
TADVIC is an organisation whose volunteer members design, construct or modify equipment for people with disabilities. This service is provided where no commercially available solution will meet their needs. The website contains examples of projects they have worked on and their contact details.

