Universal Design Essentials

Education
Contact: NAHB Learning Helpline
Learning@nahb.org
(800) 368-5242 ext. 8154

This course parallels the NAHB Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) courses — Marketing and Communicating with the Aging in Place Client (CAPS I), Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS II), and Details and Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS III) — by shifting the focus from custom accessibility-related modifications to successful integration of Universal Design as part of far more single family residential construction projects (new construction as well as remodeling, affordable to luxury).

The concepts discussed in this course will enable industry professionals to produce marketable projects that support the changing needs of clients over their lifetime. The audience for this course includes Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) graduates, home building industry professionals, health care professionals and the home buying consumer. While it is a novice level course and welcomes participants with little or no prior knowledge of the subject matter, having taken the CAPS courses will help participants understand the differences between “universal” and “accessible. ”

As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the significance of integrating Universal Design (UD) concepts in residential construction.
  • Describe the broad beneficiary groups of homes with universal features.
  • Distinguish between accessibility solutions/products and UD solutions.
  • Describe ways that functional design can also be attractive.
  • Identify and implement solutions for simple and complex scenarios that address various household compositions, budget levels and changing needs of clients.
  • Use effective marketing and communication strategies throughout the process.
  • Locate resources, materials and services.

Who Should Take This Course?

  • Design/build professionals including builders, remodelers, interior designers, architects, kitchen/bath designers, developers, civil engineers
  • Health care professionals including occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, discharge planners, case managers, nurses, rehabilitation engineers
  • Public and private agency staff including housing finance agencies, community development agencies, CHODOs‐community housing development organizations
  • Allied industry members including product manufacturers and suppliers, consultants, planners, real estate professional, appraisers, home inspectors, lenders, electronic systems contractors

NAHB Designations and Continuing Education Credit

This course provides 6 hours of continuing education credits for these NAHB designations: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CGR, CMP, CSP, GMB, GMR, Master CGP, Master CSP, and MIRM.

Additional Credit Information

6 AIA/CES LU: NAHB is a Registered Provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this course will be reported to CES Records for AIA members by NAHB. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available upon request.

NAHB is a Registered Provider with the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA. Education distributors who would like to offer CEUs to their students for approved courses must inform NAHB at the same time the course(s) is scheduled.

The virtual format of this course provides 0.6 continuing education credits for AOTA.

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