Design for the Elderly and Disabled Environments:

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Design for the Elderly and Disabled Environments
Controls and Signals Part 10 of 10
Making Homes More Comfortable and Accessible
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Controls and Signals
Light Switches Electrical Outlets Thermostats Alar
ms Security Systems Total Environmental Control
Systems Accessible Controls Summary
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Light Switch Addition or Replacement
Type of Switch Select single touch models -
Rocker - Toggle - Touch Sensitive Avoid
switches requiring pinching, gripping or
twisting (finger manipulation)
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Dimmer Switches
- Should be easy to use - Touch Sensitive
switches are excellent - Knob switches with
blades or bar dimmers are also acceptable
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Mounting Height
- Mount between 36 and 48 inches above the
floor - Switches installed over a counter or
work-top should be close to the surface
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Electrical Outlet Addition or Replacement
Mounting Height - Mount between 15 and 48
inches - When Mounting over a counter, place
outlet close to the surface for easy reach
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Number of Outlets
- Consider adding more outlets - Many conditions
require the use of special equipment that require
extra outlets - A quadriplex outlet could replace
a traditional outlet
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Outlets Near Telephone Jacks
- Install electrical outlets near phone jacks -
Convenient for answering machines - Essential for
TTYs and TDDs
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Thermostat Replacement
Controls - Select controls with easy movement
and no pinching, gripping, etc. - Avoid
controls that require fine tuning - Controls
that click while being adjusted are very
helpful to people with visual impairments
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Thermostat Replacement
Replacement Type/Numbers - Consider Large, high
contrast controls with easy-to- read
numbers. Mounting Height - Maximum 48 inches
above floor surface
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Alarms
Strobes - Older Smoke/Fire alarms can be
replaced by models with strobe lights Auxiliary
Alarms - Install additional outlets for use of
auxiliary alarms for those who are hearing
impaired
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Security Systems
Controls - Select an Easy to operate keypad -
Buttons should be raised with high contrast -
Avoid monochromatic keypads and flush
controls
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Security Systems
Mounting Height - Try to mount the control panel
for a security system less than 48 inches from
the floor, to be accessible to most people.
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Remote Controls, Home Automation and Total
Environmental Control Systems
General - Consider installing a remote control
system instead of moving a wall socket -
Allow users to control lights or small
appliances - simple systems can control lights,
etc. More elaborate systems can control
temperature and alarms.
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Remote Controls, Home Automation and Total
Environmental Control Systems
Types - Send signals through existing wiring,
via plug in modules - Wireless, uses radio
signals via remote - New outlets can be
installed, to control appliances
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Total Environmental Control Systems
- Control systems that combine lighting,
temperature, security, etc. into one control
unit. - Possible to link some units to a home PC,
expanding its capabilities.
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Summary
- Use Strip receptacles - Use extensions or pull
cords - Use Portable Strobe Alarms - Use remote
Controls