A Whole World of Universal Design
by Stephen
Milne, Principal at Modernity Design, NYC
"Integrating Differences: Theories & Applications of Universal
Design" was the subject of the recent symposium given at the
Fashion
Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) and co-hosted by the State
University of New York at Buffalo, New York (SUNY). Organizers
assembled an impressive, international list of experts from
a variety of disciplines to present the latest in Universal
Design applications.
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Speaker Greg Smith, whose radio show "On a Roll Live" airs nationwide
(Sundays, on the Web at www.onarollradio.com ) is wheelchair-bound
with Muscular Dystrophy spoke of the need for Universal Design and
cited a personal experience as an example. One recent evening and
in need of cash, he went to the Chase Bank ATM location at 41st
and Third Avenue in New York City. He managed to complete his transaction
which was no easy physical feat. Next, he rolled to the exit door
only to find that the door's release button was too high from the
floor for him to reach from his wheelchair. That ATM location is
a fully glass-walled enclosure and Mr. Smith said that while waving
for help (he was ignored), he felt like "a trapped zoo animal."
Finally, another person came in to get cash and released Mr. Smith.
Had the door-release button been placed a few inches lower, Mr.
Smith's movements would not have been restricted. This change would
permit everyone the same freedom of access/departure.
Another design opportunity mentioned by Greg Smith involved the
need for accessibility in packaging. Mr. Smith sometimes lacks the
dexterity required to open the twist-off cap atop liter soda bottles.
In one instance, trying various clever methods, he decided on his
solution. Mr. Smith triumphantly pierced the bottle twice with a
dart (once for air intake) and drank to overcoming another barrier.
Jim L. Davis, Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York, recognized
the need for Universal Design relating to buildings and public spaces
in the New York City area and spoke of non-compliance. [Earlier
mention had been made that illegally limiting access guaranteed
by the "Americans with Disabilities Act" (ADA), 1990 especially
by small businesses, is seldom pursued in court because the lawyer's
only likely reward will be the removal of the non-compliant barrier.]
Mr. Davis, armed with a battery of slides, referenced familiar and
noteworthy sites to illustrate that barriers abound. In Grand Army
Plaza, across from the Plaza Hotel, a reproduction "Bishop's Crook"
lamp post sits squarely in the pedestrian ramp [often incorrectly
referred to as a "curb cut"], thus prohibiting use by a wheelchair.
The recently renovated First Precinct Police Station in Tribeca
has a stoop with steps at both entrances and the back entrance,
which lacked a stoop, was sealed during this past renovation. Public
meetings held at this station are therefore not accessible to all.
Another example given by Mr. Davis, is the Storefront for Art and
Architecture. [Storefront was recently awarded a prize by the American
Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) for their rigorous support of young
and under-recognized artists and architects -all done on a shoestring
budget.] The streetwall of what was originally built as a temporary
structure features an 8'' rise at each door opening and flush door
handles. These are but a few of the more well known locations cited
by Mr. Davis.
It is a popular misconception that there is "one" universal design.
Universal Design is set of design principles that serve as guidelines
for the design of products and environments to be useable by all
people.
These are the seven principles most frequently quoted:
PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN
-Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
-Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and
abilities.
-Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's
experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration
level.
-Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the
user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
-Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental
or unintended actions.
-Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum
of fatigue.
- Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation,
and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
Dr. Edward Steinfeld, Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental
Access, SUNY at Buffalo, pointed out that designing with these principals
as criteria demands creative thinking and results in "inclusive
design," often serving more needs. In a sink that raises and lowers
to accommodate certain disabilities, it is also easier to wash both
hands and feet. It is preferable to move beyond "unisex" bathrooms,
and designate "family" bathrooms, which allow for caregivers.
The many other speakers addressed these same principles within their
areas of expertise. Collette Wong, Fashion Design, FIT, SUNY, told
of leading her student to explore "Beauty in All Forms," clothing
designs for women with osteoporosis. Together she and her student
compiled a list of common fitting, proportion, and styling characteristics
that provided for ease of movement and visual appeal. Irma Dobkin,
Interior Designer and Author, Chevy Chase, MD, discussed "Aging-in-Place:
Designing to an Emerging Market" and offered that Americans don't
like thinking about fragility and she prefers the use of "Lifestyle"
over "Senior Market." Both Abir
Mullick, Department of Architecture, SUNY at Buffalo and Gianfranco
Zaccai, Design Continuum, Inc. Boston ( www.dcontinuum.com ) presented
their ideal Universal Design bathroom solutions. Mr. Zaccai pointed
out that even the young and healthy can develop disabilities. Also,
all people want to remain connected to those they love. Hopefully,
both bathrooms will be on the market soon.
C.J. Walsh, Sustainable Design International, Dublin, Ireland advocates
saying "people with activity limitation" instead of "disability."
His background includes work as a fireman and architect. It is perhaps
natural and topical that his talk ( and website
) should include information concerning building codes and fire
safety. Leo Valdez, Vision Office Inc., North Vancouver, Canada,
noted in "Considering Accessibility in Web Design" that, of the
American Fortune 100 companies, only Microsoft and IBM currently
have fully accessible websites. He advised that one's website should
be functional and accessible; its content can be fashionable. Mr.
Valdez's website is www.worldenable.com and he suggested the following
for further research:
http://www.halftheplanet.org
http://www.hwg.org/
http://www.cast.org/bobby/
Speaker Akio Neuchi, cartographer and independent scholar, is developing
a hand-held device that produces on command a tactile relief map
utilizing symbols and graphic display that can be printed out on
heat sensitive, micro-capsule paper. "It will be a tactile, acoustic,
interaction system." Even in a world of microchip-what's next?,
this hand-held manages to sound futuristic -and it's designed to
be inclusive.
Universal Design is not a new concept, yet an awareness of the need
for it is only slowly gaining acceptance. Removing barriers permits
freedom in the broadest sense. Universal design is about inclusion
rather than exclusionwhich brings people together. This is an outlook
that is long due. To learn more, keep surfing, to the sites listed
above and these:
http://design6.ap.buffalo.edu/~rercud/
: Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access, SUNY at
Buffalo. Includes free support service for designers and manufactures
seeking to team up to produce good examples of universal design.
Great resource!
http://www.halftheplanet.org
the disability resource
HalfthePlanet Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports
the application of technology to promote the values of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA)--independent living, Includes terrific
links for disability-related resources and statistical information.
http://www.hwg.org/
(esp.: http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/
)
The HTML Writers Guild is the world's largest international organization
of Web authors and its website includes "Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines 1.0."
http://www.cast.org/bobby/
Bobby is a free service provided by CAST to help Web page authors
identify and repair significant barriers to access by individuals
with disabilities.
N.Y. Able Newspaper (Jim Davis writes for them)
P.O. Box 395
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
718 792 3533
516 939 0540 Fax
http://www.nod.org
National Organization on Disability
Sustainable Design International Ltd., Dublin, Ireland
http://www.sustainable-design.com/index.htm
Fire Engineering
http://www.fireox-international.com
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