UD2014

People think about universal design in different ways. Some think that safety in the bathroom has to look institutional and has to be ugly. However, it is possible to design a bathroom that is functional, safe, and healthy with universal design products and features. More importantly, it will be beautiful as well as comfortable. There are ways to achieve this using the actual principles and goals of universal design. The objective is to design bathrooms that are aesthetically pleasing and functional, as well as less hazardous – no matter the size, ability, or age of the user.
The statistics of injuries in bathrooms at alarming, with falls causing 81% of the injuries. We’ll be looking at applying the Universal Design (UD) principles and goals that will enhance the safety of the differing major elements of the bath through the use of current and functional UD features and products.
Different areas of concern regarding poorly designed elements in the bathroom and the hazards they can present are identified and solutions are communicated.

The significance of home modifications for ageing populations extends beyond the physical modification of an existing home. This paper discusses the potential for home modifications to impact the process of ageing well. Home modifications apply Universal Design Principles in the targeted and restricted setting of an existing home environment. There is evidence to suggest that home modifications operate on dual levels – addressing broader societal concerns about accessible housing and care demand, while concurrently addressing the individual needs of older people who want to age well in their own home. This paper refers to preliminary findings of an ongoing research project investigating the value of home modifications. It uses a mixed method approach (AQoL utility scoring and thematic analysis) to analyse survey responses from home modification recipients (n=89). Preliminary findings reveal an increase in utility scores following home modifications, this increase in health related quality of life is further supported by the thematic analysis. These results are discussed in terms of the dual role that home modifications play in responding to individual needs and broader society and reinforce that home modifications play a variety of roles in supporting ageing well at home that extend beyond the physical environment. In conclusion, the research supports and contributes to developing evidence that home modifications have the potential to support the changing social needs of Australia’s ageing populations in ageing well by impacting health related quality of life and improving feelings of independence, and safety/confidence.

Universal Design is a concept that tries to make minorities’ life, especially persons with disabilities, better: not only be by destroying physical barriers but also by trying to include them socially. Some Universal Design solutions exist and are being developed. Unfortunately, this development concerns few countries especially from the developed world. The idea is to look for the reasons why the inclusive designs ideas are not universal (everywhere). This work aims a better understanding for the different realities of representative countries in order to find a way to introduce Universal Design where there is a lake of awareness about it.

Universal Design is a concept that embraces and covers issues of accessibility in the built and natural environments. The concept has progressively been introduced into the Malaysian built environment and architecture practice. However, its implementation in Malaysia is still considerably deficient. This paper investigates the contemporary perceptions of Malaysian architects towards the implementation of Universal Design in Malaysian built environment practice with an emphasis on their understanding of the terminology of Universal Design by means of face-to-face interviews. Findings indicate misconceptions towards the terminology of Universal Design exist in Malaysian practice due to a lack of understanding of the terminology that is negating its implementation in built environment practice.

The issue of Universal Design (UD), Design for All, or Accessibility, should always stir up debate. UD relates to society and should constantly be seen from a critical perspective. In Denmark we have experienced a change in mind-set from ”good-will” towards implementing accessibility to having formalized obligations, which build on the UN convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, where UD is a central term. Based on 25 years of experiences as a consultant and by way of a Danish example from a complex building project (an architectural competition) the paper will discuss the demands and opportunities that accessibility consultants have today. And how the consultant throughout the building project can contribute with oblique approaches and new insights in order to achieve a universal designed building

This paper develops a methodological argument about the challenges that universal designers face as they engage with bodily difference and diversity. Adopting a post-phenomenological perspective, the paper indicates that Universal Design practices could benefit from a critical dialogue around the assumptions and ideas about embodiment and the world that design methods and tools advance as they are employed to make sense of everyday experience. Without such a dialogue, there is a risk that the widely different ways in which bodies, objects and spaces interact can remain unaccounted for and thereby limit what may be designed. We argue that post-phenomenology, through its detailed understanding of the socio-technical mediations of experience, can inspire universal designers to develop a range of critical and creative ways of using and sharing embodied knowledge.

This paper is based on findings from accessibility projects of the Finnish Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities, funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and executed in co-operation with disability organizations during 2009–2013. The purposes of the projects were to evaluate accessibility of sports facilities, collect sports specific accessibility information and develop existing accessibility information as well as accessibility audit methods in sports facilities. National accessibility legislation does not adequately recognize accessibility needs of people with sensory impairments and of various disability-specific sports. Problems of access are usually interpreted as problems of wheelchair users only. Inaccessible sports facilities are a barrier not only to sports participation, but also to employment of people with disabilities. Accessibility must be observed comprehensively as an integral concept related to moving, seeing, hearing, and understanding. There is a need for co-operation between the disability sport actors, disability advocates, accessibility specialists, architects, designers, builders and developers. Disability sports related accessibility research is needed to provide both reliable and solid data for future planning and development.

Introduction
In 2005 the Hovedstadsaksjonen (The Capitol Campaign) completed upgrading central parts of Oslo. The project was a collaboration between Oslo municipality, the State and private property owners. To further develop and expand efforts to make the city center more accessible and attractive, a new project was created to continue the The Capitol Campaign work; Levende Oslo.

The Equality and Anti-discrimination Ombud has in recent years received several complaints about lack of accessibility to public businesses along Karl Johans gate. Based on this Levende Oslo has been commissioned by the Department of Urban Development, City of Oslo, to establish the project «Tilgjengelighet til publikumsrettede virksomheter i Karl Johans gate» (“Access to public-oriented businesses in Karl Johans gate”).

1. Project phases
The objective of this project was to identify to what extent public-oriented activities with access from Karl Johans gate is accessible for all, and if any conservation concerns in the building are obstacles to facilitate greater accessibility and universal design. The initiative builds on the state’s objective of ensuring equal rights and opportunities to participate in society for all, regardless of their physical abilities.

The project has two phases:
 Phase 1: Registration of accessibility and conservation values, 2012/2013
 Phase 2: Pilot Project, 2013/2014

During the summer of 2012, the public-oriented businesses along Karl Johans gate were thoroughly reviewed partly to identify to what extent the activities are accessible to disabled persons. The accessibility of 75 public-oriented businesses along Karl Johans gate were surveyed. Additionally, the conservation value of the buildings these businesses are located in is considered, in a total of 42 buildings. Most buildings in Karl Johans gate have great conservation value. The purpose of the survey was to see in what extent conservation values could be a hindrance for accessibility to the businesses for all users. As a measure of accessibility Norwegian Standard for universal design of company- and public buildings, NS 11001-1:2009 is used.

2. Registration results
The survey shows that none of the businesses studied fully satisfy all requirements for universal design according to NS 11001 – 1:2009. For some of the businesses there are very few faults to be corrected to achieve good universal design, but several have deficiencies in access routes and entrances which makes access difficult for people with various forms of disabilities.

Identified deficiencies in universal design can be divided into two main groups:
a) Faults related to the physical characteristics of the street / sidewalk and structural adaptations such as stairs, steps and thresholds at the entrance.
b) Deficiencies related to layout, fixture, signs, etc., as well as elevators, toilets, changing rooms and internal stairs etc.

There is no clear indication that conservation interests are direct obstacles to universal design. Most ground floor facades and entrances are not original, but rebuilt and adapted to different situations and varying styles. This means that property owners and businesses in most cases will be able to find new solutions without significantly changing the heritage elements of the facade.

As a first step to increase awareness and knowledge of accessibility and universal design, each and every business included in the survey have received a detailed description of the Norwegian Standards requirements for universal design; Business Specific Report. The description includes an overview of the requirements the business do meet, and which requirements they do not meet. The goal is that this report will be an inspiration and help in their efforts to facilitate greater accessibility and universal design.

The results of the survey show that there is a general need for increased awareness and knowledge of universal design. We created a project team consisting of key government agencies, business agencies and disability organizations to work on the development of good examples of universal design in listed buildings in Karl Johans gate.

The report «Registreringsrapport – Tilgjengelighet til publikumsrettede virksomheter i bevaringsverdige bygninger i Karl Johans gate – Prosjektrapport 2013» (“Registration Report – Availability of public-oriented activities in heritage buildings in Karl Johans gate – Project Report 2013”) summarizes the results of the survey of all the businesses and will be used in the second phase of the project, which consists of developing a collection of model projects for property owners and authorities for their future building modifications.

3. Status
We are now developing a pilot project for the access to 4 selected publicly oriented addresses in Karl Johans gate. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate exemplary solutions to universal design for accesses and entrances where the solutions; model projects, is designed with regard to building conservation values.

The goal of this pilot project is a proposal for a main solution to the access that is universally designed, not a replacement solution or a modification in addition to the main solution. We want a workable, innovative solution where elegant, good design is focused. The solution should be representative for the actual building, taking into account the specific antiquarian challenges and constraints, but also transferable to similar situations, as a pilot project.

The pilot projects will be included in a collection of examples for property owners, businesses, governments and consumer groups. The collection can be managed by the Office of Cultural Heritage, The Equality and Anti-discrimination Ombud and the Agency for Planning and Building Services, and should be used as a guide for owners and developers etc.

The Government of Ontario (Canada) has enacted legislation with the overarching goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025. Legislative elements include standards for public- and private-sector organizations, requiring them to develop and maintain accessibility policies and practices, as well as design transportation systems and built environments that are accessible to all. The article overviews a series of resources, including an Illustrated Technical Guide to the Design of Accessible Public Spaces, that have been developed by the Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) to assist organizations develop appropriate accessibility policies, practices and public spaces.

This Design Case introduces a bold new concept – inclusivity – as the basis for socially and environmentally responsible urban environments. The Inclusive City illustrates how cities can be designed to support the physical, economic, cultural and social needs of all people of all abilities, of all social strata and of all income levels. This project was funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and evolved into the publication, The Inclusive City: Design Solutions for Buildings, Neighborhoods, and Urban Spaces. The book investigates 14 successful inclusive and universally designed projects around the world. The Inclusive City is a textbook for planning, design and urban development that offers a practical look at successful inclusive design projects – all with positive social impacts beyond the physical project itself. This session will present case studies and inclusive design guidelines obtained as lessons learned from these projects. It will explore how to apply the Inclusive City policy framework to produce positive social outcomes in the areas of economic development, housing and neighborhoods, education, access and mobility, habitat protection, community facilities and providing cultural meaning. The result is built environments and communities that are fully inclusive, welcoming and thriving.