Universal Design Library Collection

Through a Rehabilitative Services Incentive Fund Grant managed by the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board, Piedmont Housing Alliance's Barrier-Free Housing Education Initiative created special library collections focused on barrier-free housing and universal design. The collections consist of 27-items with such titles as Residential Remodeling and Universal Design; Directory of Accessible Building Products; and Home Safe Home.

The collections are available at two branches of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (Greene County and Louisa County) and the Fluvanna County Library.

Universal design is defined as "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design" (Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University). In housing, universal design features benefit everyone throughout their lifespan, and allow for aging in place without incurring significant remodeling expenses. Home modifications allow persons with temporary or permanent disabilities to remain in the home and community rather than move to an institutional or more restrictive setting.

For more information about the libraries offering the special collections, please call the Greene County Library at (434) 985-5227, the Louisa County Library at (540) 894-5853, or the Fluvanna County Library at (434) 842-2230