Michael Gravante loves theater. The high school senior has been acting in local performances since he was in first grade and he plans pursue a theater major when he goes to college next year. His mother, Elaine Gravante, describes him as a walking, talking Broadway encyclopedia. But Michael’s autism spectrum disorder makes some theater experiences inaccessible to him.
As more students with special needs enter school systems nationwide, educators are increasingly designing their classrooms to boost behavior and academic performance.
Target’s latest women’s fashion line was designed with all bodies in mind, including those with disabilities and sensory-sensitivities. On Monday, Target announced its clothing line, Universal Thread, will feature sensory-friendly and adaptive clothing items.
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.