title: Residential design and outdoor area accessibility.
abstract: The outdoor environment can provide many positive and therapeutic benefits for persons with complex neurological conditions. In order to benefit from outdoor exposure and experiences, individuals need to be able to access that environment. This article provides a discussion of physical and programmatic access to outdoor living elements in homes and residential facilities for persons with neuro-disabilities. Design considerations for outdoor elements such as common gathering areas, walking paths and paths to/between elements, gardens (viewing and working), and resting areas are presented using legal standards or universal design principles as guides.
authors.affiliation: National Center on Accessibility, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, Indiana University, 501 N. Morton Street, Suite 109, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA. shyork@indiana.edu
authors.forename: Sherril L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: York
mesh_terms: D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D003704:Dementia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004779:Environment Design; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D051639:Gardening; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States; D016138:Walking