Terminology

Accessibility

The design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. [1]

Aging In Place

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Aging In Place as "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level". [2]

Disabilities

Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.

Disability is thus not just a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives. Overcoming the difficulties faced by people with disabilities requires interventions to remove environmental and social barriers. [3]

Mobility

The ability to move about freely throughout your home without having to encounter various obstacles.

Solutions

A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation. In this case, the difficult situation involves overcoming the obstacles that come from living in a home that doesn't implement Universal Design and Accessibility.

Universal Design

The design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors. [4]