“I did not know that!” There are many steps one takes toward becoming a universal design environment and many are as simple as a trip to the store or a few simple changes in the home. Many are common-sense improvements which contribute to your home working with greater ease. Increase...
Dragon
Much assistive technology ends up benefitting us all; fax machines and closed captioning are two biggies. Yet another one is making it big: speech-to-text, also known as speech or voice recognition software. Originally designed as an alternative input device specific to the challenges of typing, it now is increasingly used...
Emergency Planning
We know the emergency prep basics but what would make them more universal design? The short answer is, not much. If you have a universal design environment, you’re in good shape. Where emergency planning might be more universal design is in its thorough application and in you actually being prepared....
Hurricane Irene … EMERGENCY!
Hurricane Irene hit a sawth of country not normally accustomed to disaster on a large sacle. Furtunately it turned out a bit less worse that expected. But say, how did you do? While it is fresh in your mind, what did you prepare for well and what left you with...
New Videos from Ohio State
Welcomed videos from Ohio State’s Universal Design team! Check out the 5-part series on YouTube; rather than get too technical, it provides more of an impression of why you might want to include it in your next renovation project. They use a house opening party to walk you a few...
Surviving Snow & Ice: GETTING AROUND
The best design for getting around during the season of snow and ice is to set yourself up so that your mobility is as safe and easy as possible. For starters, try not to be out and about when conditions are treacherous. This means having what you need before the...
Surviving Snow & Ice: PREPARING FOR WINTER
PREPARING FOR WINTER Overcoming the inconveniences of snow requires preparation. This series of posts provides checklists to help you create and prepare for a better winter experience. The posts in this series are: Universal Design for Winter, Preparing For Winter, Snow Removal, Getting Around, and, New Home Construction. Preparing For...
Universal Design Travel
Travel time is upon us and there is much about travel that is not very universally designed. These are a few things to consider prior to travel that should make your trip easier whether you are traveling alone, with kids, a pet, an elderly parent, or having to consider the...
Vistability
Visitability is on my mind this week. My parents last visited me in my 1906 brownstone five years ago for a Christmas dinner; it is no longer possible for them to visit. My home is not visitable; only a crazy amount of cash would make it so. For a resident...
You Are The Expert
Let me ask an expert… We attribute expertise to one who has extensive training and experience. It is someone with comprehensive and authoritative knowledge. They have skills gained from years of practice. We defer to them for answers and guidance. When it comes to universal design, the definition of expert...