Enclosed yard, no gate.

• All stairs must have rails 32" to 34" above tread, and extending 6" beyond nose of the last tread
• A guardrail would improve safe use of this deck
• Periodic cleaning and pressure-washing prevent slippery conditions
• Lights are required outside all exterior doors

• A 36" wide landing would reduce risk of falling on stairway
• Wooden steps must be maintained, use non-skid surfacing on treads
• Handrail is too large to allow safe gripping--1 3/4" diameter maximum  

• Stairs need opposing handrails
• Optimum diameter for a handrail is 1 3/4 inches to be gripped effectively
• Rug poses a tripping hazard, and should be replaced with flat, walk-off mat with beveled edges
• Sidewalk to the entry is in good repair, edges are level with the yard, and surface is well-maintained

Washington

• Maintain the area around egress doors to keep paths clear and unobstructed
• Rug on this sidewalk may pose a tripping hazard
• Condensation from the heat pump drains onto the sidewalk, creating a slip-and-fall hazard
• Do not store chairs or other furniture on the sidewalk 

North A Street

• Covered entry keeps the loading area dry and protected from the elements
• Concrete bumper protects ramp from vehicles
• Good transition ramp, 60" wide with a curb and rail to assist staff and residents with balance
• Elevated edge of the sidewalk is a tripping hazard-should be ramped, or curbed and provided with a rail
• Good overhead lighting activated by a motion sensor
• Recycling should be relocated to keep ramp open

• Entry to parking lot and sidewalks is level and accessible
• Unloading can occur at the covered entry quickly, with less exposure of staff and residents to the elements
• Large box lights on 15' poles placed to illuminate the parking area may also intrude on neighbors
• The grade away from the house helps direct water into a catch basin in the parking lot 

• Do not place furniture or other objects in front of egress doors
• Hoses pose tripping hazards-use hose stands and reels
• Good illumination outside all exit doors
• Area drain makes cleaning and maintenance of courtyard/patio easy
• Smoking area too close to door and poorly maintained

48th Street

• Wooden decks and walks present problems-wet wood becomes slippery and fasteners can fail
• Non-skid strips or coatings should be installed on all wooden ramps and decks
• Provide handrails and guardrails at all edges
• Inspect surfaces frequently and pressure-wash as needed 

• Tapered entry to the patio door supports access to the patio by mobility- and sight-impaired residents
• Entry should be kept open and clear of obstructions
• Screen door may present an impediment to free passage into the house
• Windows within 18" of grade or within 12" of doors must be tempered glass

• Good transitions from walks to house
• Keep walk open and maintain level edge between yard and sidewalks
• Patio door is blocked by storage-items must be stored appropriately
• Special considerations must be made for smoking area-addressing fire and respiratory health

• Covered area well-lit and good for outside activities
• Glazed double door enables staff to maintain visual contact with residents; wide entry accommodates side-by-side ambulation and wheelchair access
• Traffic paths should be free from obstructions-chairs and cigarette cans should be removed from path
• It is necessary to keep smoke from entering the house, and to have a fire suppression plan

Jody

• Good level transition from porch to yard
• Large windows help staff maintain visual contact with residents in the yard
• Porch used for smoking; prevention of smoke entering the home and fire suppression are important issues 

Oak Street

• Fence designed to make it difficult to scale
• Large yard space provides a safe, secure area for therapeutic movement and freedom
• Staff can maintain visual contact with residents from anywhere on the porch or in the yard
• Yard is easy to maintain-level and free of obstacles

• A handrail should be added to the stairs on the porch
• Add lighting at stairs and sidewalks, possibly on fence posts
• Broken walks and uneven pavement create tripping hazards
• Patch walks as needed, and eliminate the half step with a 1:12 ramp
• Historically-registered home fits into the University neighborhood 

• Fence within a fence developed in response to needed privacy requirements
• Egress requirements are met and privacy issues addressed
• Yard is flat and free of any dangerous objects

• Outside view of a three-railed security fence-boards are screwed to the rails and the fence is 7' tall. Placing the rails on the outside prevents climbing
• Fence provides secure and free movement in the yard by residents and staff
• Yard open and level, providing no concealed areas
• Large fenced yard allows reaching a safe distance from the home for fire safety 

• These pictures are of the same home. All of the transitions are managed and have no edges that might cause tripping

• Provide lighting for all exterior walking surfaces

  Contrasting finishes for walkways and driveways support the sight impaired
• Lighting of walks, parking and grounds placed low to the ground to reduce glare
• Open-faced yard and grounds allow freedom of resident movement while allowing visual monitoring
• Regular maintenance and inspections reduce slip-and-fall
  dangers

• Good transition from the sidewalk to the entry way is pictured here
• Walks must be kept clear of obstacles
• Sliding gate would make access better for all users
• Uneven grade along most of the porch length. A curb and rail added between porch posts would help protect users

R Street

• Unramped stairs are difficult for anyone with a gait disturbance and difficult for a caregiver to assist a resident
• Lawn grade does not meet the cement path, allowing for tripping and falling. Path does not have adequate horizontal space for side-by-side ambulation
• Provide handrail at all risers and guardrails along the walks
• Eliminate or contain vegetation growing into the walk 

Hillside

• Good rolling surface

  Bad rolling surface

  Privacy fencing for open porch and bedrooms at one end of the house
• 48" wide walk with inside corners "flared" to help when turning wheelchairs
• Rocks used as a border may present a hazard
• Walkway lighting provided by a wall-mounted sconce that casts the light downward

• Hard surfaces like VCT or sheet vinyl are preferable in locations where wheelchairs or rolling equipment will be used
• Level transition between sidewalk, entry and parking, with contrasting surface finishes, defines walkways and parking areas
• Covered porch reduces the time staff and residents are exposed to the elements
• Low ballard light fixtures reduce glare and direct light where it is needed in the parking area
• Large clear numbers on the house help emergency personnel find the home quickly. A colored light at the street can help speed location

• Good access, parking and lighting plan
• Tall garage permits loading and unloading in a secure space if needed
• Property is enclosed by fence, with gates at exits
• Transitions are level and even
• Low lights illuminate walks and paths at the house and parking areas 

• Parking is a major consideration for group homes. Staff and residents can be put at risk if the space is not well-designed and adequate size
• Parking areas must be well-lit, with provisions for traffic volume and patterns
• Edges and transitions must be flat and level
• Runoff water from all sources must be well-drained