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....
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...
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...
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,...
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 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 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...
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