Skip to main content

Fund Raising Tour Of Universal Green Home

* Submitted:

For the first time, tours of the one-of-a-kind Universal Design Living Laboratory will be offered to the community to raise money for spinal cord injury research at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Where: 6141 Clark State Road, Columbus, Ohio (US)
When: Open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. daily October 25 through November 23, 2014. Admission is $10, with all proceeds benefiting spinal cord injury research at Ohio State.

Universal Design Living Laboratory (UDLL) is the residence of Rosemarie Rossetti Ph.D., an internationally known speaker and advocate for people with disabilities and her husband, Mark Leder, the builder of the home. The 3,500-square foot home that features universal design was conceived and built after Rosemarie was paralyzed from the waist down in 1998 when she was crushed by a large tree while riding a bicycle.

Leder’s life was impacted by the tragedy too. The emotional impact was overwhelming. The couple worked together to rebuild their lives and build their new home.

The couple’s goal is to showcase to the public, as well as builders, architects, and designers how universal design and green building are elements that can be included in all new homes and remodeling projects. The tour will highlight how people can live in a comfortable environment that will enhance their quality of life regardless of their circumstance, age or abilities. Rossetti knows from personal experience the difficulties people face when their circumstances change due to either injury or simply aging.

A spinal cord injury left me paralyzed from the waist down. I came home from the hospital in a wheelchair and realized just how unaccommodating my two-story home was to me,” Rossetti said. “My life change was sudden; for others, life changes more gradually. I learned how fully accessible home design can provide independence for people with disabilities, as well as those who would like to stay in their homes while they age."

The UDLL is the highest-rated universal design home in North America, earning three national certifications from Livable Design, ZeroStep and Life-Flex Home. Universal design is a framework for the design of living and working spaces and products benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. It is human-centered design, accommodating people of all sizes, ages, and abilities.

In addition, this home showcases green building practices. It has achieved a National Green Building Standard rating of Gold, awarded by the Home Innovation Research Labs, an independent subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders.

To learn more about Rosemarie or the Universal Design Living Laboratory, please contact:
Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D.


Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!
 

Comments