
Accessibility in Copper Creek Homes
Have you ever thought about having accessible light switches? Or toilets and ovens? They seem to just be light switches or ovens but here at Copper Creek, we’ve upgraded them to something smarter. In addition to light switches, we have ten more everyday items we’ve made more convenient. Whether you're aging in place, recovering from surgery, or managing mobility challenges, we’ve figured out how to make everyday living just a little easier.
Homes Aren’t Accessible Enough: Here’s How Copper Creek Helps
Home should be the one place where your body can finally exhale. It’s the space where you should feel safe, comfortable, and ready to relax. Luckily, at Copper Creek Builders, we share the same sentiment. Naomi Thayer, our Marketing and Sales Coordinator, lives with a physical disability that limits her mobility and dexterity. She highlights which features she finds most helpful in daily life, many of which are easy to take for granted. As we age or face injury, the value of accessible design becomes even clearer. Aging In Place As the global population ages, the concept of “aging in place” has become a relevant topic to consider. According to the United States Census, starting in 2030, older Americans (65+) will make up 21 percent of the population. In addition to this, there was a “Home and Community Preferences Survey” conducted by AARP. The resulting data shows how “three quarters [75%] of those 50+ would like to stay in their current homes or communities for as long as possible.” With these statistics, it’s important for builders to keep in mind how their homes can be built for long-term accessibility needs.
Mobility Convenience For people with physical mobility issues, a standard home can pose challenges to their daily quality of life. The CDC states how “more than 70 million adults in the United States said in 2022 that they’re living with a disability.” This information is valuable to consider as roughly 1 in 4 people experience life with a disability. Having a house that makes life easier is priceless when elevating the quality of life. Most of these are several small adjustments that make a significant impact on living life.

11 ways Copper Creek Builds Accessible Homes
Bathrooms
The bathrooms in Copper Creek Homes also keep everyone on their feet. With no-step walk-in showers in the primary bathroom, safety and style go hand in hand. According to the CDC, “Approximately 80% of all bathroom injuries were caused by falls, with the highest injury rates in the oldest age groups.” This means that ⅔ of all injuries occur in the tub or shower, often when stepping out. That’s why our primary bathrooms are built to help you stay steady and slip-free, even on wet floors.
No Step Homes
Falls are one of the top causes of injury and injury-related deaths in the U.S., especially for older adults–but Copper Creek has you covered! Their No-Step Homes remove steps between the garage and living areas. They also offer single level homes which eliminate steps entirely when compared to their two-story homes. That means that kids, parents, and grandparents can move around safely, giving families peace of mind and a home that provides genuine protection.
Rolling Pull-Out drawers
In our kitchens, we have rolling drawers in our lower cabinets. It’s a small upgrade that makes a difference in accessibility and convenience. Items stored in the back of traditional cabinets are usually harder to reach, but these rolling drawers slide forward smoothly, letting you see and grab everything without crouching. By reducing the need to bend or stretch, they help minimize back and his strain. Other benefits of these drawers include better organization, maximization of storage space, and enhanced convenience.
Foot lighting (also referred to as toe kick lighting)
Foot lighting (also referred to as toe kick lighting) is built into the base of the lower cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms to softly illuminate the floor to guide your path. These lights are perfect if you’re making your way through the dark–whether you’re looking for the light switch or want some glow to move during early mornings, late nights, or middle-of-the night trips. The lighting in our bedrooms are motion activated, making your path lit the moment it is needed. Beyond safety, foot lighting is a pleasant touch to making your space feel warmer.
Comfort height toilets
Comfort Toilets are designed to sit slightly higher than standard toilets, making them more comfortable to use. Comfort toilets measure from 17-19 inches whereas standard height toilets measure between 12 ½- 16 inches tall. By reducing the distance you need to sit down and stand up, there is less strain on your knees, hips, and joints. This added height makes everyday use feel more natural and easier, helping you reduce the risk of strain.
Pull handles
Pull handles are simple to grab. Most kitchen drawers don’t have any type of handle to ease opening the drawer. Luckily, as of 2026, Copper Creek currently implements pull handles as they make opening drawers easier for everyone, especially people with arthritis, limited hand strength, or mobility challenges. With a solid handle to grab, there’s less risk of slipping or losing balance when opening the drawers. It adds stability as it reduces the chance of losing your grip.
Rocker switches
Rocker switches make turning lights on and off easier than ever. Unlike traditional toggle switches, rocker switches can be activated with a gentle press. No pinching or precise finger movement is required as all you need to do is just apply pressure on the switch. This makes it easier for people with limited finger movement. They’re also incredibly convenient if you have your hands full or are quickly moving through the house. With a simple tap, the lights come on and off easily. It’s a small detail that also makes everyday life easier.
Oven
What makes buttons at the front of the oven special? Instead of leaning over and reaching to the back wall to turn off the oven, you can control your oven effortlessly from the front. This design is perfect for anyone recovering from surgery or managing mobility challenges. Safety and convenience is put first as you can simply adjust settings without stretching or straining. To make this even safer, induction cooktops heats only where the cooktop touches your pan. When the pan is removed, the surface of the cooktop remains cool to the touch and reduces the risk of burns.
Layered Lighting
Certain areas of the home, such as the kitchen and bathroom, have layered lighting. In the kitchen, there is overhead, pendant, under-cabinet, and foot lighting at floor level. These layers add depth, flexibility, and function to a space. By creatively choosing which lights to use, you can set the mood and tailor light to specific tasks. For example, if you need to cook on the counter, the under-cabinet lights will give focused illumination, beyond what overhead lights alone can offer. In harmony with aging in place, layered lighting becomes more valuable as eyes generally see less light as they age.
Fridge
Most of the fridge’s shelves are positioned within easy reach, keeping everyday essentials at a comfortable height. This layout is ideal for anyone with limited mobility, making it easier to see and access items. Better visibility and organization helps reduce accidents such as spills from overreaching. By incorporating ergonomic fridge shelving and easy-access storage, homeowners can stay independent and access food and drinks without any help. This works as a valuable long term investment for everyday convenience.
Lever door handles
Unlike traditional round doorknobs that require gripping and twisting, lever door handles operate with a simple push or pull motion. This makes them ideal for anyone with limited hand strength, arthritis, or other mobility challenges. Because you don’t need to tightly grab and rotate your wrist, opening doors becomes quicker and easier. These accessible door handles can even be operated with an elbow or forearm when your hands are full. These durable, ADA-friendly, lever handles improve everyday living while elevating the space.
Living Made Easy.
Creating an accessible home design is about incorporating features that improve comfort, safety, and independence. All 11 of these upgrades support aging in place and mobility-friendly living. While our homes are not fully ADA compliant, we intentionally include elements we believe are especially helpful. Whether you're living with a dexterity challenge, planning for aging in place, or recovering from a surgery, these ergonomic features can make tasks a little easier and safer. Little details in life are the elements that add up to make life worthwhile.
AARP. (2021). 2021 home and community preferences. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/livable-communities/housing/2021-home-community-preferences/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Nonfatal bathroom injuries among persons aged ≥15 years — United States, 2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 60(22), 749–753. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6022a1.htm
Navy Federal Credit Union. (2024, September 23). A guide to home modifications for disabled people. Navy Federal Credit Union. https://www.navyfederal.org/makingcents/home-ownership/home-modifications-for-disabled-accessibility.html
Vespa, J. (2018, March 13). The graying of America: More older adults than kids by 2035. U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/03/graying-america.html