How design can make the world more accessible to everyone
From my office overlooking Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in the Carnegie Mansion in New York City, I can see the daily flow of visitors from all walks of life entering our historic garden—a rare gem of enclosed green space in the city.
A Wake Up Call on the Urgent Need to Remove Barriers
Canada has received a wake-up call in recent months about the urgent need to remove physical barriers in the built environment and improve accessibility for people of all abilities.
How One Advocate is Pushing For Accessibility In The City’s Museums
“The world was never made for people who are sitting down full time,” experiential designer Ben Baker says. “The world was made for people who walk. Everywhere you go, there’s going to be challenges.”
Designing an Inclusive, Effective All-Gender Restroom Symbol
As designers, we’re always trying to embrace and understand shifts in modern society. One consistent example we encounter is managing identification signage for toilet facilities, specifically the all-gender restroom.
Cooper Robertson emphasizes Universal Design in new Gateway Arch Museum
In redesigning the Gateway Arch Museum that opened in July, made it a priority to integrate Universal Design, which goes beyond ADA regulations to create buildings that can be equally accessible to people of all abilities.
Inclusive Design: Students, Families and Staff Working Together
Inclusive Design provides a way to challenge persistent gaps faced by marginalized students while holding high expectations for all. It simultaneously supports innovation, creativity, global citizenship and helps students use their learning to change themselves and the world.
Smithsonian Puts Spotlight On Special Olympics
With a new exhibit, the Smithsonian Institution is highlighting how athletics have helped to dramatically change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities over the last 50 years.
$1.15 million in tax breaks approved for hotel at Amherst’s Northtown Center
New Uniland Development Company hotel in Amherst, New York, will incorporate innovative solutions for Universal Design(isUD™). Supported by extensive evidence from research and practice, isUD™ includes both tried and true ideas and cutting-edge solutions for creating inclusive and healthy environments that make everyone feel welcome. isUD was developed by Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at the University at Buffalo […]
Shouldn’t All Design be Human-Centred?
Currently, the various cousins and alter-egos of universal design remain in the realm of selected advocates. For many architects and designers, this is considered a “speciality” area of design, pursued by few and mastered by fewer.
Inclusive Bathrooms: Let’s Start Talking About It
Just a few short months ago, it seemed as though the whole world was in an uproar about Target and their “All inclusive/transgender/ bi-sexual/gay bathroom” policy. People were talking about it.