Sessions to expand upon county’s Universal Design and Visitability incentive program
“Homeowners, designers and others looking for simple steps to make homes more livable for aging and disabled individuals are invited to new classes being offered by Sarasota County Government” and the nonprofit Universal Design Coalition, the county has announced.
The classes, which will expand upon the county’s Universal Design and Visitability incentive program for builders, will highlight the importance of making homes more functional and accessible for people of all ages and abilities, the release adds.
“Sarasota County offers builders an incentive to build age-friendly homes, but we also want to be sure residents know how to make their existing homes safer and more comfortable to live in into the future,” said Lee Hayes Byron, the county’s sustainability manager.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly a third of Sarasota County’s residents are at least age 65, and slightly less than half of county households have at least one member age 65 or older, the release points out. Additionally, almost 60,000 county residents —roughly one in six — have some type of disability, the release notes.
Representatives of Sarasota County’s University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office, the county’s Sustainability Division and the Universal Design Coalition will conduct two classes, each open to the public, the release says:
- March 1, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: North Port Library, located at 13800 S. Tamiami Trail in North Port. Registration is required via Eventbrite.com.
- April 12, 4 to 5 p.m.: Gulf Gate Library, located at 7112 Curtis Ave. in Sarasota. Registration is required via Eventbrite.com.
For more information, visit Sarasota County’s Universal Design webpage or easyuniversaldesign.com, call 861-5000 or email sustainablesarasota@scgov.net.