The purpose of this study was to determine the level of awareness and use of
selected universal design features and products in single-family housing by Oregon
housing contractors. Also researched were barriers and incentives to use as well as
the position and opinions of these housing contractors on the viability of universal
design standards becoming part of the residential building code.
This study used a self-administered, mail survey questionnaire developed by
the researcher. The Dillman Total Design Method (Dillman, 1978) was used as the
basis for the survey instrument and its administration. A random sample of housing
contractors indicating single-family residential construction as a primary focus of
business was taken from the Oregon Construction Contractors' Board list. One
hundred sixty-four surveys were returned for use in analysis.
Data analysis included descriptive statistics, mean, and frequency
distributions. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine differences between
awareness and use of universal design. Multiple regression and Pearson correlations
were used to compare universal design use and selected demographic characteristics.
Paired sample t-tests determined whether or not added cost to implement universal
design affected use. Kendall's tau tests compared viability and mandated use of
universal design as part of the building code. The MANOVA test compared current
voluntary use and housing contractors' opinions about specified characteristics of
universal design.
These analyses found that of Oregon housing contractors surveyed, there was
a greater awareness than use of universal design, which was significant. Barriers and
incentives to use were important considerations in the process of adopting universal
design. Cost and demand by clients were most often cited. A majority of respondents
felt that incorporating universal design standards as part of the building code was a
viable idea, even though they disagreed with it. Specified demographic
characteristics of housing contractors did not play a significant role in either
awareness or use of universal design. Added cost to implement universal design was
found to be associated with its use. The more there was an indication of additional
cost, the less the use of universal design. / Graduation date: 2000
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/34179 |
| Date | 28 February 2000 |
| Creators | Wolford, Nancy L. |
| Contributors | Brandt, Jeanette A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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