Universal home designed for barrier-free existence

by Melissa Wilson

SBJ Staff

Nine years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, many public buildings are now ADA-compliant and can accommodate people with disabilities.

Jim Newton, of JV Newton and Associates Inc., said he believes homes should be just as accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

"I worked on the commercial side of adapting buildings to ADA standards, and I wondered why homes aren't like this," Newton said.

"I decided that building homes barrier-free is a better way to build them," he added.

Newton, who has been a builder for 20 years, is finishing his first "universal home," located at 4048 Monterrey Ct. in Battlefield.

Universal homes are designed to be safe, comfortable and to accommodate the requirements for all ages and physical abilities.

"I built a home with universal content and design for myself about four years ago, and from there I decided to begin building them for others," Newton said.

Newton is now building universal homes exclusively and said his homes are moderately priced with universal and accessible features, such as well-lit entrances, wide doors and hallways, no steps, adaptable cabinets, spacious bathrooms with roll-in showers to accommodate wheelchairs, and security-system wiring.

Newton became nationally certified in environmental access standards and design in April by Professional Resources In Management Education Inc. in Miramar, Fla.

PRIME is one of two independent groups nationally that offer this certification, which requires a set number of hours in the field to qualify to take the examination.

"The exam consisted of having to redesign a bathroom to be adaptable for everyone to use, and there was also course work involved before the exam," Newton said.

Newton said as soon as he found out there was a certification process for environmental access and design, he wanted the designation, making him one of only 25 people nationwide to be recognized for the specific knowledge and application standards for environmental access construction.

"Through this certification, I can do a lot of remodeling work and be the go-between for insurance brokers, HMOs and caregivers for the disabled or elderly," Newton said.

"A lot of those people don't know exactly what goes into remodeling and building for ADA compliance, and we can help them with that."

Newton said the home in Battlefield is only the beginning.

JV Newton Associates has plans for an entire development of universal homes.

"If everything goes right, I'll start building a development in November," Newton said.