These homes are also being built to consider their "visitability" factor. This is also a new building/design trend that makes sense, though it has been opposed somewhat by developers and contractors citing cost, but from what I understand these turn out to be fairly neglible.

Visibility infers that the design is user-friendly for people with disabilities and especially people in wheelchairs. It means wider doorways, low entrance thresholds, and bathrooms designed to accomodate wheelchairs. This might sound a bit silly at first, but there are many disabled or elderly people who cannot stay in their homes because they are in a wheelchiar and can't move from room to room or use their own bathroom. Because our population is aging and living longer, it figures this will be even more of a problem in the future.

The argument for "visitability" homes is that the cost up front is far smaller than the cost of adaptng homes later. It also allows family members and friends to visit all homes more easily.

If you have ever tried to negotiate Aunt Mabel's wheelchair up porch steps, you'll realize how beneficial it would be if one entrance has at least one minimal threshold.

Anything that helps the elderly live at home can save taxpayers an awful lot of money, as most affordable elderly housing is heavily subsidized. For Knoxville to take the lead on LEED housing and the promotion of visitability designs should make us proud.

This article explains it all and has some interesting cost specifics.

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