Are you 55 or older? What would be the simple improvements to make your home get you another ten years of usability? AARP does annual surveys to assess the desire to age in place, and the means which people are employing to do so. This annual survey, in its fifth...
10-Minute Improvements
“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...
A Reading List
I recently received a call from someone seeking building specifications for universal design. She wanted to know heights, distances, widths, brightness, etc. I humbly told her that I’m not the spec guy. Those are codes and in the USA, codes are local, very local. Not only do you want to...
Are Home Improvements UD?
A blog was written, The Best Return on Home Improvements. “Oooo!” I emphatically exclaimed, anxious to read about maximizing the value of my home. If you notice, I was hooked by an opportune distraction from my work. As I read the top 10 tips, I felt as if I was...
Assistive Technology & UD, Part VI: Top-Ten List
How to do a top-ten list for assistive technology? First, I wanted the list to reflect a universal design focus. Next, I wanted the technology to be new and presently available; I considered not just a technology’s use but also its wider social impact (I know, I am missing some...
Tags: Apple, assistive technology, AT, Dragon, facebook, kaletsch, konrad, Konrad Kaletsch, Microsoft, phone, Skype, top-10, twitter, universal design
Driving
For most Americans, driving is the primary access to a world beyond our doors. It gets us to work, it gets the kids to school, it helps us shop, go to worship and socialize. When driving isn’t an option, chances are you just entered a different world called isolation. The...
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....
Geriatric II
With forethought and planning, you can recognize and then optimize the ability to enjoy life, reduce chances of hospitalization or institutionalization, and continue independent living. This might be for yourself or for someone you care for such as a parent, spouse or sibling. Consider this endeavor as meaningful as having...
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...
Let Your Home Work For You
Decreasing the time spent taking care of your home and increasing the time your home takes care of you. According to a survey conducted by the AARP, 89 percent of people older than 50 wish to remain at home, rather than move to other housing options. The question not being...
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: NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION
This article comes full circle to end where it began, with universal design. When designing for the full spectrum of life, universal design is most easily and inexpensively accomplished at the onset, not mid-way or as a retrofit. When building or modifying a home, one can do much to make...
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...