LONDON, Ohio -- Healthy living -- from nutrition and family finances to safe and comfortable home design -- are the focus of exhibits in the McCormick Building at this year's Farm Science Review.
The focal point is an expanded Universal Design exhibit, which includes a new bathroom with a walk-in shower and tub, cabinetry, countertops, sinks and a toilet, in addition to the full kitchen built for last year's Review. The labor is being contributed by Dave Fox Remodeling, and the materials from Lowe's. "Everything's being donated," said Bryce Jacob, sales and marketing manager for Dave Fox. "It's a real combined effort."
The concept of Universal Design centers on built-in features that make living more safe and comfortable. Anyone who thinks of it as "design for the disabled" is missing the point, Jacob said.
"When people see the bathroom and kitchen models at the Farm Science Review, they all say, 'Hey, this is a beautifully designed, beautifully laid out room -- everything just makes sense," Jacob said. Multi-level countertops in the kitchen and new bathroom allow household members of different heights to use surfaces comfortably. A dishwasher raised off the floor permits loading and unloading with less back strain. A separate walk-in shower allows bathing without stepping over the side of a tub -- "it's easy for both a child and a senior to get in and out -- that makes it 'Universal Design,' and it's a common feature in today's homes."
The model bathroom also features a less common example of Universal Design -- a tub with a side door. A person who has trouble stepping in and out of a regular tub can easily open the door, get in the tub, close it and then fill the tub with water. The bathroom exhibit is completely new -- an expanded version of the bathroom features in the exhibit at last year's Review, Jacob said.
When working with clients, Jacob said, Dave Fox Remodeling tries to point out advantages of Universal Design features. "We try to get them to plan for different situations," Jacob said. The idea is to make the home as comfortable and fluid as possible for everyone -- a child who has limited reach, a teenager with a broken arm or leg, an adult with an armload of groceries, a parent pushing a stroller, or anyone with arthritis, back pain or other condition affecting movement. "It's not just for people in wheelchairs," Jacob said.
Among other features, Universal Design elements can include easy-grip controls such as lever-style door handles and faucets and rocker light switches; electric outlets placed higher on a wall and light switches, lower; kitchen and bath counters installed at varied heights; wider hallways and door entries; and the incorporation of at least one no-step entry into the home.
Extension Educators, Ohio State University faculty members, and staff members from Dave Fox and Lowe's will help guide visitors through the display and answer questions, said Pat Holmes, OSU Extension Educator in family and consumer sciences in Preble County. "Last year, we had 1,000 people go through the display each day of the Review, and we're hoping for more this year," Holmes said. Extension Educators in different parts of Ohio conduct local programs on Universal Design. Ohioans can also get more information from the university's Universal Design Web site, http://hec.osu.edu/ud/.
Lowe's featured the Farm Science Review model kitchen in the February 2006 issue of its Creative Ideas magazine (online at http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/0206/design_without_limits/) , and copies will be available for visitors. The model bathroom will be featured in an upcoming issue.
Andrea Bowlin, director of special projects for Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology, said groups have toured the Universal Design exhibit year-round. Since the kitchen was completed last September, tours have included groups from Ohio State's Institute for Ergonomics, Purdue University Extension, occupational and physical therapists from Ohio State's School of Allied Medical Professions, and North Carolina State University's Center on Universal Design.
Other Farm Science Review features in the McCormick Building, located next to the Utzinger Garden on Friday Avenue, include:
-- Diabetes and other health screenings, provided by Madison County Hospital from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day of the Review.
-- An exhibit on preventing osteoporsis, provided by Purdue University Extension.
-- Hand and microsurgeons demonstrations and giveaways, provided by Riverside Medical Center.
-- Prescription funding information and applications, provided by Ohio's Best RX.
-- Healthy finances and nutrition information, provided by OSU Extension.
Farm Science Review will be held Sept. 19-21 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. The event is sponsored by Ohio State University Extension, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, and the academic units of the university's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Tickets are $8 at the gate or $5 in advance when purchased from county offices of OSU Extension or participating agribusinesses. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 19-20 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21.
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