Windsor Universal Design Rebate Program

Coming Soon!

The Town has been exploring ways to accommodate a diverse range of housing needs. One way to do this is to encourage the use of Universal Design in new housing construction and remodels. “Universal Design” accommodates a wide range of preferences and functional needs without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The purpose is to enhance the full life cycle use of housing without regard to the physical size, ability or disability of a home’s occupants and guests. Basic Universal Design features include no-step entries, wider doors and hallways, lever door handles, rocker light switches, and grab bar reinforcements. 

The Town is planning to offer a Universal Design Rebate Program. This initiative will provide rebates for new construction of single-family homes and Accessory Dwelling Units that comply with the Town’s Universal Design Guidelines while funds last. 

Universal Design Background

A “barrier-free” movement followed the return home of disabled veterans from World War II. There was new legislation during the Civil Rights era, including the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which required minimum accessibility standards for federally funded buildings and programs. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) codified civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, and transportation.

In 1997, the 7 Principles of Universal Design were established by Robert Mace at North Carolina State University with a working group of architects, product designers, engineers, and environmental design researchers. More information is available at the RL Mace Universal Design Institute at North Carolina website: https://www.udinstitute.org/. The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provides a Universal Design model ordinance that is based upon these 7 Principles of Universal Design:

PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use

The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use

Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information

The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error

The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with minimum fatigue.

PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use

Appropriate size and space are provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.