How to design a house considering the needs of people with disabilities?

Every day, many people find it difficult to move around their city, use public transportation, enter a building and even move independently in their own  homes. Do you know why? Because  the majority of public and private spaces are not accessible for people with disabilities.

Building a housing stock that adapts to the needs of people with disabilities not only promotes independence and equality for all but also responds to an important segment of the housing market that is experiencing rapid growth. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), close to 100 million people have some form of disability (more than the population of Argentina and Peru combined). This number is likely to increase as the percentage of residents over the age of 65 rises, making it necessary to create housing that is inclusive and adapted to the needs of all its residents.

At the Housing and Urban Development Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we are committed to promoting inclusive cities for all . That is why we support the and construction of housing  that can serve the needs of everybody, including people of all abilities. In today’s article, we will highlight some of the elements that must be considered when designing affordable housing adapted for people with disabilities and illustrate these concepts showing how the IDB is supporting   universal housing standards in Ecuador. Don’t miss it!

Universal Design: accessible and inclusive design

Universal design aims to create environments that are usable by all people, regardless of age or level of ability. By integrating universal design principles into affordable housing policies, we can ensure that subsidized housing is accessible to the majority of the population it is intended to serve. This will be beneficial to the society as a whole, as a stronger and more inclusive housing market is fostered. How can we include the principle of universal design in affordable housing policies? Read more…