Youngcare has unveiled a unique blueprint for developing communities that are accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.
Speaking at the 2015 Asia Pacific Cities Summit, Youngcare CEO Samantha Kennerley said the construction design principles were a ground-breaking tool for decision makers, planners, developers and investors.
“For the first time, we are compiling a housing design guide built on years of research and speaking to young people with disabilities about what they want and need to live their best life,” Mrs Kennerley said.
“We are collating feedback from young people who are living in nursing homes, long term health facilities and other places where they don’t want to be – purely because they have no choice.
“These voices will underpin this design guide, produced in partnership with Griffith University, which shows the way for developing inclusive cities of the future.”
Mrs Kennerley said the population squeeze in many parts of the Asia Pacific was forcing developers to think outside the square.
“Our design guide for age-appropriate housing can be adapted to suit any size or form of accommodation, in any location,” she said.
“The principles of what makes a home are global – it’s a sense of comfort and belonging.
“It’s not just about being wheelchair-friendly. It’s about creating homes that enable everyone to be part of a community.
“These homes also have to be viable and replicable.”
The Youngcare design guide has informed the construction of a new home for four young people with disabilities in Brisbane.
Every feature of the share house has been chosen to make the residents’ lives easier – from iPad operated window blinds to flat thresholds and a custom kitchen.
Each young person has their own living space with a kitchen area, ensuite and private deck, and will be able to spend time together or with friends in the communal living areas or in the privacy of their own studio apartment.
Cutting edge assistive technology provides an unprecedented level of autonomy.
The lighting, blinds, audio-visual systems and doors can all be controlled with iPads or voice commands. Ceiling mounted track hoists in each bedroom allow the residents to get safely into or out of bed, without being visually obtrusive.
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Sam with the Mayor of Fukushima Kaoru Kobayashi.
