December 22, 2024

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....

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 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...

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 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...