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...
Obama and Sultey
In our nation, there is much relief and hope with the coming Obama administration. I like seeing him speak, I look forward to his words, and I am excited about his choices. He seems personable and genuinely caring. On December 10 he announced members chosen to be on his green...
OMG: You’re Such an Ableist!
Said by a builder, “That ADA stuff isn’t good for anything anyway; no body uses it.” Said by coach, “Well, if you can’t stand for long periods, maybe you shouldn’t be a lab technician.” Said by a teacher, “Why should I give you extra time to take the test!” These...
Shanidar 1
The Shanidar Cave site, discovered in 1957, is known for having two Neanderthal skeletons. “Nandy” was an elderly male aged between 40-50 years, which was considerably old for a Neanderthal, the equivalent of 80 years old today. Nandy displayed trauma-related abnormalities, which in his case would have been debilitating to...
Steve Jobs
For all of us there is never just one starting point, one missed opportunity that is lost and never recovered. It is always a string of beginning moments, there is always a time to start anew, always a chance to step into a new vision. As with many of us,...
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...
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...
Surviving Snow & Ice: SNOW REMOVAL
Snow and ice spell trouble, maybe danger, probably extra work, and certainly limits to mobility. Hardest hit won’t be those who live in snow country and are used to it, but those who live in the marginal areas that rarely get snow or ice. Overcoming the inconveniences of snow requires...
Surviving Snow & Ice: UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR WINTER
Snow and ice spell trouble, maybe danger, probably extra work, and certainly limits to mobility. Hardest hit won’t be those who live in snow country and are used to it, but those who live in the marginal areas that rarely get snow or ice. Overcoming the inconveniences of snow requires...
Tax Incentives
If you live with a physical limitation, you have added expenses that are rather obvious: maybe a specialized car, home, appliances, electronics, etc. You pretty much know that if you are relocating, the home you choose will require expensive modifications just so you can move in – we’re not even...
Technology
What are some of the technologies that support universal design (and aging-in-place)? PERS (personal emergency response system): These are those medical devices that you wear at home that link to a central station where help can be dispatched quickly; these little devices give you and loved ones great peace of...
The 8th Principle, Part I
An eighth principle would be a welcome and needed entry to the brilliant seven as created in 1997 by the North Carolina State University’s Center for Universal Design. Rather than only define the environment of a user, this eighth principle would address perception; those shared by the observer and the...
The 8th Principle, Part II
In last week’s post, Universal Design: The 8th Principle, Part I, I departed from the more frequent discussions about how we physically “fit” in our environments and looked at the emotional landscape we have as a result of being perceived and judged as fitting in or not. Here is Part...
The Future
Topics: Blog, Universal Design
Read 100 books on future trends and two themes emerge: China once again becomes the dominant power (weren’t they always except for the last few centuries); and, Web 2.0 will change everything. So, wouldn’t you buy stock in a social networking company based in China? Our bias in life favors...
The Gift of Cranberry Juice
All excited, I opened up my gift. A bottle of concentrated, unsweetened cranberry juice? Hum, not what I expected. Not like I expected something in particular, but, it wasn’t exactly … Christmassy. It was a gift from my significant other, one that had been given considerable thought. A day later,...
The Missing Keyword
Topics: Blog, Universal Design
There are times in life when we need certain answers. We have many methods for getting those answers suited to who we are as individuals. We contact friends, we search the internet, we go to bookstores, etc. What will thwart our searching, no matter how thorough our technique, is when...
The Three Little Boomers
Once upon a time there were three little boomers and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes. Before they left, their mother told them, “Whatever you do, do it the best that you can because that’s the way to get along in the world.” The...
The Walk-In Tub .. Brrr
Not every idea touted as universal design makes sense. The walk-in bathtub is one example. Do you know the one I’m talking about? The picture in the advertisement shows a young 60-ish and happy guy or gal in their bathrobe stepping in or out of the tub through a door,...
The Wooden Plate
Long ago there lived a happy family in the foothills of the Pyrenees. They raised livestock in the hills, mostly sheep and pig, and went into town once a week to trade their meats for supplies. The grandfather, too old for work, stayed in the home and helped care for...
Try Before You Buy
You’re a construction worker, single and moving into a new rental apartment. Unknown to you it has been updated applying universal design. Not a bad place. Bigger bathroom, wider doors and hallways, everything is easier to reach. Different, but good. Then one day, oops, hernia. Back home after the hospital,...
Universal Design … Really, Why?
We know the primary reasons for universal design: It’s inclusive; it doesn’t marginalize; it’s social sustainable; it’s economically sensible; it creates opportunity; it supports independent living; and, it provides ease and comfort. None of that is bad or even questionable, but, really, why? Why have all those qualities? Why be...
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...
Universal Mistake
Universal design is often confused with handicap access. This mistake isn’t limited to the average person just learning about universal design, it is one also made by the pros. I recently saw two designs that were supposed to be universal and missed the target. The first was an expensive wayfinding...
Universal_Design_Resource_goes_live!
Topics: Blog, Universal Design
www.UniversalDesignResource.com, created by Konrad Kaletsch, is a website dedicated to providing a wide range of information about universal design. On this blog, I am generating a dialogue designed to unite the people and institutions that stand for the availability and application of universal design. The objective of being united is...
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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...
Voting NYC Nov 2: Hello? Universal Design?
I’m the oddball having never voted with a paper ballot so this mid-term election was an eye opener. I used to say, “What’s so hard about paper ballots?” Now I know. I longingly cherish our NYC mechanical voting booths with their bare incandescent lights, threadbare curtains and creaky gears and...
Website Under Construction
Topics: Blog, Universal Design
The Universal Design Resource website is undergoing revision! When created, my intention was to raise awareness and provide information. For the revision, I have structured a tiered approach: First is a facelift using today’s technology making it easier for you to participate by either finding what you are looking for...
Welcome to SATH!
Welcome to SATH, the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality. Founded in 1976 and presently led by Stuart Vidockler, SATH is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers, to free access and to...
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...
Your Kitchen
Please go to your kitchen, stand in the center, and ask yourself a question: What simple changes would make this area more enjoyable for myself and others? Keep your response simple, meaning that the changes you identify are nothing as expensive or labor-intensive as new counters, flooring, paint, or appliances....