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...
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,...
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 Five Year Plan
Do you have a five-year plan? As it is close to New Years, how about a one-year plan for 2011? Those who make a plan are much more likely to achieve their goals than those who don’t. What about your company, what’s their plan? How about your country? Still with...
Tags: einstein, five year plan, India, kaletsch, konrad, Konrad Kaletsch, new year, plan, universal design
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...
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...
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...
Interior Design
Design isn’t just making things pretty or trendy, not anymore. Design includes neuroscience; maybe one could say it IS neuroscience. It’s your nervous system that matters now (it’s the planets nerves too). Our world has changed. The Smithsonian Institution has this list: The Ten Most Disturbing Scientific Discoveries, third on...
Grave to Cradle
The provocateur speaking… What if universal design prevents a very important part of life, that of connecting with our elders. The ideal is ongoing independence, and it is voiced most strongly by those who will retire soon, but what if we are too successful? What if old age becomes just...