Produced monthly by Elaine Ostroff in cooperation with
the Adaptive Environments Center, Boston, MA., USA

Volume 1, Number 10, OCTOBER 1999

Contents

• Editor's Note

• News from the Global Network

• Canada

• Japan

• Singapore 

• United States

• Designing for the 21st Century II

  • Student Design Competition applications available

• Global Universal Design Educator's Network e-mail list

• Calendar

• Adding your information, questions to the Online News

EDITOR'S NOTE

This issue notes the continuing work in universal design in Asia, Europe, and North America. We announce the Call for Proposals for a unique US post secondary conference that extends its theme of universal design into all aspects of the university setting. 

Information from the Monthly Online News may be freely copied and quoted as long as the individual author and this source is cited. Previous issues as well as this issue of the Online News are available online atthe Adaptive Environments website at http://www.adaptenv.org in the Universal Design section.

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NEWS FROM THE GLOBAL NETWORK

CANADA

4th Global Congress of the International Federation of Aging focused on Universal Design at the meeting held in Montreal in September. 

For the first time, this international gathering of over 1800 aging concerned officials and advocates from 68 countries through out the world learned about the concepts of Universal Design. More than 1500 people attended the Universal Design Plenary session featuring Jim Sandhu, Past President, the European Institute on Design and Disability (UK) and John Salmen, Publisher, Universal Design Newsletter (US). The plenary speakers initiated lively discussion that continued in a series of 10 packed workshops with demonstrations of concepts and examples of Universal Design that relate to an aging world. 

The Congress passed the "IFA Montreal Declaration" with a number of resolutions to the United Nations General Assembly. This included the recommendation that " All National Plans on Ageing incorporate Universal Design Principles to assure older persons access to all environments." This is the first time that the term "Universal Design" has appeared in recommendations from the IFA to the United Nations. 

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JAPAN

• Universal design continued to attract large and diverse audiences in Japan in a series of universal design events in September. Molly Story of the Center for Universal Design led sessions in Tokyo and Osaka that were organized by the Universal Design Forum. Elaine Ostroff of the Adaptive Environments Center presented in Kochi Prefecture and Uwa City in meetings organized by Universal Design Magazine. 
  
  Story gave the keynote speech for the Universal Design Forum at Nikkei Hall in Tokyo on September 10. Her lecture was titled, "The Principles of Universal Design" and included the history of their development and slide examples of each of the Principles. The audience was about 200 people from industry. The Universal Design Forum (UDF is intended to be a membership organization of industry representatives. The Forum will present information through monthly lectures and provide an opportunity for members to meet in working groups to discuss UD and its successful practice.
  
  She also presented to the design staff of Matsushita, the parent company of Panasonic and National, at their corporate headquarters in Osaka. Her talk, "Practicing Universal Design," included the Principles as well as case studies of Fiskars, IKEA and Tupperware. 
  
  The UDF's Web site is www.universal-design.gr.jp. For more information, contact Mr. Satoshi Nakagawa at vdp@gol.com.

• Kochi Prefecture Policy and Research Center sponsored a day long symposium, Universal Design 1999 on September 22 to introduce universal design in programs, services and environments. Governor Dajiro Hashimoto initiated this education and research effort in order to bring the benefits of universal design to Kochi, the largest prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Over 300 people from local and prefecture administration, businesses and universities attended the event that featured keynote addresses by Elaine Ostroff and Professor Shozaburo Kimura. Ostroff ‘s talk highlighted the philosophy, values, and applications throughout the international movement in universal design.
  
  A panel with Dr. Satoshi Kose of the Ministry of Construction and Mr. Kajimoto, Publisher of Universal Design Magazine was moderated by Mr. Makoto Tanimoto, Director of the Kochi Research Center and concluded the symposium. 
  
  Mayor Sho-ici Utsunomiya of Uwa City in the Ehime Prefecture hosted a meeting and discussion on universal design for welfare and design officials, led by Mr. Kajimoto and Ms.Ostroff. For more information, contact Dai Sogawa at sogawa@blue.ocn.ne.jp.

• Dr. Satoshi Kose of the Ministry of Construction reports that the Principles of Universal Design are available in Japanese on the Web at: www.kenken.go.jp/universal/7udp.pdf.

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NETHERLANDS

European Concept for Accessibility on the Web

"From this moment on the European Concept for Accessibility (ECA) is available at the World Wide Web," reports Maarten Wijk, Editor of the ECA. "For those of you who don’t know, the ECA is an attempt of about 44 European experts in the field (the so called ECA steering group) to disseminate a common vision on the accessibility of the built environment in an attempt to harmonise and in the future perhaps even standardise the quality aspect of accessibility on a European level. Till June 1999 the work of the ECA steering group was co-ordinated by the Dutch governmental organisation CCPT. The co-ordination is now in the hands of the Luxembourg organisation called Info-handicap (Silvio Sagramola). The first official ECA was published in March 1996 as a condensed version of the European Manual for an Accessible Built Environment (CCPT, 1990). In the coming year(s) the ECA steering group and its co-ordinator will put their energy in the further development of the website and a new version of the ECA".

The website explains: This ECA provides the principles and criteria for universal design. In this respect, the concept serves work for the harmonisation of the concept of accessibility in Europe and provides a basic foundation for a European standard of accessibility. 

Wijk says, "The new site is still under construction - net yet fancy - but why not take a look at http://www.eca.lu? Comments are welcome"! 

Contact Maarten Wijk at M.Wijk@bk.tudelft.nl.
 

SINGAPORE

Ken Parker and Jim Harrison of the State University of Singapore report that "We are still here, waving the flag and keeping/ being kept very busy. We have recently scored something of a success in getting the MRT ( Metro) system people to listen to accessibility issues, and there are other moves in the state to make design more universal - in housing and habitats for older people, for instance." Jim notes, "I have just returned from a workshop at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Java, where some very enthusiastic people are starting a pilot project on street accessibility in the city, despite all the economic and political turmoil (although Yogya is very placid - it is traditionally the centre of culture for Indonesia). I was very impressed by their drive, and feel that they need all the encouragement that they can get". 

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SPAIN

Design For All Commitment Label

The Design For All Commitment Label is the next phase of the Design for All concept that is being promoted throughout Spain by CRID (Consorci de Recursos i Documentació per a l’Autonomia Personal), the Spanish establishment of the European Institute for Design and Disability (EIDD). Design for All is the intervention in environments, products and services with the aim that everybody, including future generations, and disregarding age, capabilities or cultural origin, can enjoy participating in our societies.

The Design for All Commitment Label Project was introduced at a CRID sponsored seminar in May 1999, at the Winterthur Convention Centre in Barcelona. Around 300 people representing the business, professional, consumer, user, and administration sectors from 16 European countries attended the seminar.

The project assumes that each company has as a main objective the commitment to adapt their environments, products and services to the capabilities, needs and expectancies of all users. This pilot experience is supported by different social sectors and is being carried out with twenty-five companies and entities such as design, transports, telecommunications, urban furniture and leisure among others, in both regional and state levels. They all expect a social and economic improvement as a result of their involvement. Through this label, consumers all around Europe will recognize those companies that pay special attention to the adequacy of the products and services with the users’ various needs. Companies and entities involved in the Design for All Commitment Label pilot experience are: 

• ADIR (Accessibility consultants)

• ARCON (Architectural elements) 

• ARLEX (Furniture)

• BGS (Software)

• BKB, ELECTRONICA S.A. (Electronics)

• CASAS (Contemporary furniture)

• COMELTA (Computers)

• COMSER (Urban furniture)

• CHCVITAE – Group CHC (Health services)

• DESARROLLOS VIA LIBRE (Accessibility consultants)

• ESCOFET 1886, S.A. (Urban furniture)

• FEDERACIÓN SARTU (Community services)

• FERROCARRILS DE LA GENERALITAT DE CATALUNYA (F.G.C.) (Transport)

• FOMENTO DE INDUSTRIA, TURISMO, OCIO Y TIEMPO LIBRE (Tourism and Leisure)

• FUNDACIÓN AIRTEL (Communications)

• FUNDACIÓ BARCELONA PROMOCIÓ (Local promotion)

• FUNDACIÓ BCD (Design promotion)

• FUNDACIÓ RACC (Advisers on user’s mobility)

• J.C. DECAUX (Urban furniture)

• PARC D’ATRACCIONS TIBIDABO (Leisure)

• SANTA & COLE División Urbana (Urban furniture)

• SEÑALIZACION Y DISEÑOS URBANOS (Urban furniture)

• TRANSPORTS CIUTAT COMTAL (T.C.C.) (Transport)

• TRANSPORTS METROPOLITANS DE BARCELONA (TMB) (Transport)

For more information, contact Francesc Aragall, President of EIDD, Managing Director of CRID at: crid@diba.es.

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UNITED STATES

AHEAD 2000- Call for Proposals

The Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD) announces the theme and invites proposals for its 23rd Annual Conference, Y2KC: Universal Designs in Higher Education. The conference will be at the Hyatt Regency - Kansas City, Kansas, July 12 - 15, 2000. 

The Association provides opportunities for professional development to those who work to assure equal opportunities and full participation for faculty, staff and students with disabilities in higher education. 

Theme
As we enter the new millennium, it is imperative that we boldly advocate for a universally designed academy. This conference will focus on Universal Design principles within the information, employment, instructional and physical environments, and the concomitant changes that need to be made to foster equity in our institutions. The conference will also provide up-to-date information on the field of disability services. 

Topics for Proposals
"Universal Design" embraces the design of environments (information, employment, physical and instructional) to be usable by all people regardless of learning styles, abilities, disabilities, and size without the need for adaptation or accommodated design. Principles of Universal Design include: 

• equitable, flexible, simple and intuitive use 

• total communication and access with minimal effort, manipulation and accommodation 

• tolerance for errors and differences 

• multiple options for content, expression, control and engagement. 

Universal Design also provides an excellent vehicle for incorporating issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. as well as exploring how environments shape identity and maintain human inequality. The program committee would like submitted proposals to include the principles and concepts of Universal Design to the greatest extent possible. Content areas include (ED NOTE: this is an incomplete excerpt, please check out their website for more details): 

The Instructional Environment

• Course Content, Curriculum 

• The Co-curriculum (recreation, athletics, student activities/organizations, etc.) 

• Distance Learning 

• Technology 

• Training 

• Instructional Delivery Methods 

The Physical Environment

• New Construction and Renovations 

• Signage 

• Parking and Transit 

• Use of Technology, relating to departments responsible for physical plan, architecture and building designs 

The Employment Environment

• Career and Placement Strategies 

• Academic and Employment Policies 

• Transition Strategies 

• Mentor Programs 

To find out more information on universal design, the following web sites are recommended:

• http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs/udprinciples.html

• http://www.cast.org/concepts/index.html.

Deadline
A completed program proposal must be submitted by November 12, 1999. 

Electronic submissions are preferred and can be completed at the following web site: http://www.ahead.org.

Build Boston

15th Annual Build Boston is the annual convention and tradeshow for the building industry in the Northeast sponsored by the Boston Society of Architects. It offers over 200 workshops and 350 exhibits and will be held on November 16-18, 1999 World Trade Center Boston. 

Build Boston includes Workshops, Exhibits, & Events Sponsored by Adaptive Environments & The New England ADA Technical Assistance Center and funded in part by the: The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities & The Massachusetts Cultural Council. Following is the listing of both the ADA and the Universal Design workshops and events: 

U.S. Access Board Public Hearing on the Proposed Rule for ADAAG Build Boston Session B3
November 17, Wed. 9:30 - 4 p.m. 
The Board is the federal agency that develops minimum guidelines and requirements for standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barrier Act (ABA), develops accessibility guidelines under the Telecommunications Act, develops accessibility standards for electronic and information technology under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, provides technical assistance on those guidelines and standards and enforces the Architectural Barriers Act. The Access Board conducts an all-day public hearing at Build Boston to offer an opportunity for information and comment on the Proposed Rule for ADAAG. June Isaacson Kailes, Lawrence Roffee, Peggy Greenwell, David Capozzi, and other U.S. Access Board members and staff.

A16 - Architectural access and justice facilities
November 16, Tues. 10:30 - noon
When the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect in 1992 several kinds of facilities were not addressed. In January 1998 the U.S. Access Board published final accessibility guidelines for judicial, legislative, regulatory, detention and correctional facilities. This workshop explains the new guidelines, their rationale and showcases best practices. Kathy Gips, Adaptive Environments; Susan Little & Dave Yanchulis, U.S. Access Board

A34 - Access, preservation and aesthetics in historic university buildings 
November 16, Tues. 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Obligations to provide access have influenced many of the most extensive renovations of historic university buildings. We describe design solutions that succeeded in visually integrating the goals of access and the historic fabric. Valerie Fletcher, Adaptive Environments; Roger Goldstein, Goody, Clancy & Associates; Marie Trottier, Harvard University

A53 - Designing spaces that make community worship available to all 
November 16, Tues. 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Even though religious organizations are exempt from the ADA, many congregations are looking for ways to make their facilities accessible. Panelists will show creative solutions as well as pointers and resources for lighting, acoustics, entrances, seating, choirs and liturgical areas. Jean Carroon, Jean Carroon Architects; Rob Olsen, Robert Olsen and Associates; Steve Spinetto, Boston Commission for Persons with Disabilities; Carolyn Thompson, Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities

A78 - A neighborhood fit for people: universal design in Boston’s Seaport District
November 16, Tues. 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Boston is characterized by distinct neighborhoods and the joys of walking, but has few examples of places that work for everyone regardless of ability or age. The South Boston Waterfront District is the one opportunity in many lifetimes to get it right from the ground up. The workshop describes strategies for integrating universal design solutions in all elements of the parcel. Valerie Fletcher, Adaptive Environments; Ted Landsmark, Boston Architectural Center; William Taylor, Carol Johnson Assoc.; William Lebovitch

A86 - Gracious spaces: universal design for the home
November 16, Tues. 7 - 8:30 p.m.
One of the nation’s premier designers and writers on design for all presents images and ideas from her latest book, Gracious Spaces. We consider the framework for thinking universally about interior design and review the details that give the practitioner useful, up-to-date information on products and techniques. Mary Jo Peterson, Mary Jo Peterson, Inc.

B32 - The chair for humans
November 17, Wed. 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Berkeley professor of architecture, Galen Cranz is the author of The Chair: Rethinking Culture, Body and Design. She offers a provocative perspective on one of our more beloved cultural artifacts. The workshop provides refreshing and irreverent insights for all who spend most waking hours in chairs. Valerie Fletcher, Adaptive Environments; Galen Cranz, University of California, Berkeley

B92 - Accessible housing, adaptable housing what’s required and what’s not 
November 17, Wed. 7 - 8:30 p.m. 
Confused about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, Section 504, the Mass. Architectural Board Regulations? We clarify the requirements and describe complex situations. Kathy Gips, Adaptive Environments; Joshua Barnett, R.A. 

C9 - ADA Accessibility Guidelines: tough questions and case studies
November 18, Thurs. 9 – noon
This interactive workshop uses real scenarios to highlight frequent errors, omissions and misunderstood sections of ADA requirements. Topics include wheelchair seating in assembly areas, accessible egress requirements, clearance at entrances, restroom design, visual alarms and TTYs at public phones. Peggy Greenwell, Paul Beatty, Susan Little, Marsha Mazz, Earlene Sasker, and Dave Yanchulis, U.S. Access Board

C20 - Architectural access guidelines that work for children
November 18, Thurs. 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Since the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect in 1992, architects, de-signers, parents and administrators have complained that the guidelines are for adult dimensions. In January 1998, the U.S. Access Board published final accessibility guidelines for children’s elements. This workshop explains them, their rationale and best practices. Kathy Gips, Adaptive Environments; Earlene Sasker & Dave Yanchulis, U.S. Access Board

C43 - Access to play areas and other outdoor recreation facilities
November 18, Thurs. 1:30 - 4 p.m.
Playgrounds have long been required to be accessible. This year the U.S. Access Board published a final rule on play-facilities. An overview of the accessibility guidelines proposed for other recreation facilities is also provided. We conclude with the perspective of an equipment provider who illustrates design solutions that serve children with diverse abilities. Kathy Gips, Adaptive Environments; Paul Beatty and Peggy Greenwell, U.S. Access Board; J. Frederick Druck and Joanne Hiromura, Playground EnvironmentsFor registration forms and information please contact the Boston Society of Architects 1-800-544-1898

VOLUNTEER and earn FREE Build Boston Workshops. In exchange for each 4 hours worked, volunteers will receive one free workshop. Workshop monitoring shifts are usually two hours each. 
 

Universal Design Housing Notes: 

Phil Dommer, a housing developer and long time universal design builder in South Carolina responded to a faculty member needing more rationale to convince her administrators of the need for a housing course with the following information: 

"You might be interested in the following for your course proposal:

1. Our firm has spec built a number of universal design homes in the Greenville, SC area. (Speculative building means building without a buyer in hand, i.e. risky and subject to marketability of home built). Not one universal design home has been sold to a buyer with a disability. One was sold to an older couple. (Featured in Business Week July 19, 1999 retirement issue). The remaining buyers were diverse - newlyweds, young families, singles, divorcees, etc. i.e. they mirror the market only they are wiser. 
   
   

2. We are designing three homes for SC residents now. One for a family with a son with a disability, a second for family where the mom has a progressive disease, the third for a young couple without any disabilities. A concern of all three households is that the home ismarketable to the mainstream for resale - thus the interest in universal design v. strict accessibility. 
   
   

3. The home building industry is incorporating universal design more than ever before. Each year more ud workshops are offered at mainstream building industry trade shows. (Example - the Custom Home Show, Remodeling Show and Senior Housing Expo all held together will have at least 6 ud workshops in Philadelphia Nov. 5-7, 1999, info at 1.800.368.5242, x197). And, Hanley-Wood's HOME PLANNERS division is publishing Plans & Products for Universal Homes this coming January.
   
   (Hanley-Wood publishes BUILDER, Remodeler, residential architect, Custom Home and 20 other titles). The book will feature product guides, references, and 50 ud single family detached home construction plans one can buy to build. 
   
   The bottom line is that universal design is a desirable and growing influence in the home building, remodeling and design industries. If the U of SC passes on a universal design course offering, they are not adequately preparing their students and doing a disservice to the community which supports them". Phil Dommer at pscUdesign@aol.com.

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DESIGNING FOR THE 21st CENTURY II
An International Conference on Universal Design

June 14-18, 2000

Submissions are now closed; we have an excellent collection of proposals from all over the world. The international reviewers are now screening proposals and people will be notified by November 1, 1999 about the status of their submission. 

Keynoters include William Hudnut of the Urban Land Institute who will talk about Cities Fit for People; Adolf Ratzka of the Institute on Independent Living, Sweden and Yoshi Kawauchi of Japan who will address Universal Design and Independent Living. Roger Coleman of DesignAge of the UK and Natascha Drabbe of Cultural Connections, the Netherlands will illustrate the connections between Universal and Sustainable Design. Watch the website for new information including more details on other invited speakers, their topics. See photographs of Providence, Rhode Island, our beautiful and welcoming conference city. 

Student Design Competition

Creating Legible Environments is the theme of the Student Design Competition held in conjunction with the 21st Century conference. Application forms are available online at http://www.adaptenv.org/21century/ or e-mail Mike at mdilorenzo@adaptenv.org. Submission deadline is February 1, 2000. 

International jurors include:

USA:
Mitchell Ackerman, Head, Industrial Design; Jane Langmuir, Coordinator, Universal Kitchen and Adjunct Faculty, Interior Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI; Stephanie Bothwell, ASLA. Director, Center for Livable Communities, American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC; Jan Carpman, Ph.D., Carpman Grant Associates, Ann Arbor, MI; Meredith Davis, Director of Graduate Program in Graphic Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; Edward Steinfeld, AIA, Professor Architecture, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. 

Japan:
Satoshi Kose, Director of Housing and Building Economy Department, Building Research Institute, Ministry of Construction, Tatehara, Tsukuba; Yoshisuke Miyake, JSLA, President, Sen, Inc., Osaka.

Netherlands:
Natascha Drabbe Cultural Connections, Utrecht .

South America:
Marcelo Guimares, Director, ADAPTSE Lab, Belo Horizonte, MGCurrently enrolled students from any college or university worldwide are welcome. The application requires a team submission, with a minimum of two design disciplines. In addition, the participation of other related disciplines is recommended. If you are a design advocate, we encourage your promotion of this design opportunity; bring it to the attention of faculty in design schools. The application suggests the involvement of users in the early stages as well as in review of the proposed solutions.

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GLOBAL UNIVERSAL DESIGN EDUCATOR'S E-MAIL LIST

This is distinct from the newsletter that you are now receiving. This is an automated electronic list. We invite you to subscribe if you want additional, more frequent dialogue with other educators, designers, students and advocates. To subscribe, send a message to: guden-l@adaptenv.org

Leave the subject blank. In the body of the message, write ‘subscribe.

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CALENDAR

November 15, 1999 
Universal Kitchen Design Workshop on Brookline, MA One day intensive workshop led by Mary Jo Peterson. 
Location: Brookline Holiday Inn
For more information, call National Kitchen and Bath Association Customer Service at (800) 843-6522, fax at (908) 852-1695 or e-mail: educate@nkba.org

November 15-18, 1999 
Build Boston at the World Trade Center
Contact Adaptive Environments for Universal Design and ADA workshop information at: mdilorenzo@adaptenv.org

November 18, 1999
Royal Society of Art Student Design Awards 1999/2000
New Design for Old preliminary submissions are due from colleges within the European Union. Products must improve the quality of life of an older person. Entries should be submitted to the RSA in London. Please contact RSA Design for full details of entry eligibility: tel - 44 (0)171 930 5115 or Fax- 44 (0)171 839 5805 or e-mail - debbie@rsa-design.demon.co.uk.

November 29 to December 3, 1999
Beirut, Workshop and Seminar on Environmental Accessibility: issues in planning and design of accessible urban development 

For more information on the Workshop and Seminar, please contact Division for Social Development Issues and PoliciesUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

Mr. Akil Akil, ChiefP.O. Box 11-8575Beirut, LebanonFacsimile: ++ (961-1) 981 510~12ESCWA Focal Point for workshop/seminar preparations: Dr. Riadh Tappuni (tappuni.escwa@un.org)

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Adding your information, questions to the Online News: 

Send e-mail to elaine@ostroff.org by the 20th of each month for the next month's mailing. Articles should be limited to 600 words. If the issue is too full to include, and the timeliness of the article allows it, we may hold the item until the following month.

Elaine Ostroff, Founding Director, Adaptive Environments Center, Editor.

374 Congress Street, Suite 301
Boston, MA 02210
Tel 617 695 1225 x30
Fax 617 482 8099

elaine@ostroff.org
http://www.adaptenv.org/21century/

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