What does someone who’s hard of hearing, someone with a severe ear infection, and a commuter on a packed subway who forgot their earphones have in common? They would all struggle to interact with audio content in a digital interface. There are two primary ways to approach design that can solve problems such as this: accessible design and inclusive design.
Founder and managing principal of Seattle-based architectural consulting firm Studio Pacifica, Karen Braitmayer, FAIA, has earned the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award for her significant contributions to accessible design. Here she responds to our architect’s version of the Proust questionnaire.
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 School of Architecture and Planning.
Universal Design (UD) is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). It creates products, systems, and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.