The Growing Interest In Universal Design

"Visualize a home or workplace that serves you well whether you are 25, 55 or 85, a place that you would not have to give up or alter as you age. Visualize a place that is comfortable and functional no matter your physical limitations.

These are the goals of what is called universal design.

Universal design aims to create "products and environments usable by all people without the need for adaptation or specialized design," according to North Carolina State University's Center for Universal Design. In the 1980s, wheelchair-bound architect Ron Mace established the center, part of the school's College of Design, to pursue the idea that artifacts and architecture should work for everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities."

"One in three Americans will be over 50 by the year 2010," Journal writer June Fletcher reported. Mindful of shifting demographics, home builders are more frequently offering houses with universal design features, marketing them to middle-aged buyers who don't yet need them.

"Universal design is not quite the same as design complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that new or renovated buildings open to the public provide reasonable access and functionality to people with physical disabilities." While the ADA has created many positive impacts on cities and buildings..."universal design also is a bit of a critique of the ADA's focus on only the needs of a specific population...Advocates of universal design instead propose that, to be truly universal, we should shape environments to fit a much broader population, including the disabled."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow