Universal Design Physical Accessibility PDF

Alternative Technology Association Universal design – assisting accessibility Author(s): Mary Ann Jackson Source: Sanctuary: Modern Green Homes , No. 25, Earthy Textures (Summer 2013-2014), pp. 85-87 Published by: Alternative Technology Association Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/s...

Alternative Technology Association Universal design – assisting accessibility Author(s): Mary Ann Jackson Source: Sanctuary: Modern Green Homes , No. 25, Earthy Textures (Summer 2013-2014), pp. 85-87 Published by: Alternative Technology Association Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/sanctuary.25.85 JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at https://about.jstor.org/terms Alternative Technology Association is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Sanctuary: Modern Green Homes This content downloaded from 132.174.251.59 on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:45:49 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms Universal design – assisting accessibility Words Mary Ann Jackson Good universal design for anyone with a mobility issue is invisible, writes Mary Ann Jackson. And the net of people it can help is much broader than the able/disabled distinction initially suggests. It is a common misconception to private spaces are created? Designing a Rethinking (dis)ability view people with disabilities as a fringe building so that its accessibility ‘features’ are Rather than defining disability as a group on the periphery of society. Their invisible is the ideal solution. Designing in defining characteristic of the individual, preferences are as diverse as any other accordance with ‘universal design’ principles many scholars and experts now recognise demographic grouping. More to the point is can help achieve this outcome. that disability can be imposed on people that human ability cannot really be divided by physical, technological and social into two, comparing those who are ‘abled’ Universal design environments. People who may be able to with those who are ‘disabled’. Instead, ability Universal design was pioneered by Ron function in a routine manner in one scenario should be viewed as a continuum, with our Mace, an American wheelchair-using are ‘disabled’ by barriers in a different ability changing throughout our lives. architect and his team at the Centre for scenario. Common assumptions about the range Accessible Environments. It refers to the Another important consideration is that of human ability within populations are design of products and environments that everyone will experience a period of reduced too narrow and at odds with the variation are usable by all people, to the greatest sensory, physical and/or intellectual ability within any ‘normal’ group of people. Ideally, extent possible. in their lifetime. Hence universal design buildings, or any spaces, would be accessible There are seven recognised principles of benefits us all – if not so significantly now, and enjoyable to all. Yet too often, the many universal design: then more so in the future. There are other, and diverse actors involved in shaping the less well-known benefits to universal design. built environment, including governments, 1. Equitable use For example, improved OH&S can result organisations, built environment 2. Flexibility in use from safer environments and efficiencies professionals and householders, take a 3. Simple and intuitive in logistics and reductions in maintenance narrow view and fail to create the accessible 4. Perceptible information costs can result from improved accessibility. environments required by many. 5. Tolerance for error Neither aesthetic design nor costs need How should design be approached so 6. Low physical effort be compromised by the incorporation of that more accessible buildings, public and 7. Size and space for approach and use. universal design considerations. U 85 This content downloaded from 132.174.251.59 on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:45:49 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms  j MGS Architects designed this apartment complex in Melbourne’s west to accommodate elderly residents, many of them migrants. The McIntyre Social Housing project was designed to provide its residents with indoor and outdoor communal spaces, secluded private open space in the form of courtyards, balconies and terraces as well as shared community gardens and lounge spaces. Like all social housing projects – which demand long life, low maintenance and low budgets – McIntyre Drive Social Housing does a lot with little. Reverse masonry construction and energy efficient hydronic heating as well as stormwater gardens and water retention systems were employed to increase sustainability and reduce tenant utility costs. Image: Trevor Mein Good universal design is invisible within Several Australian architects are experts Notable Australian accessible an overall design concept; that is, until you in the accessible design field, including design experts deliberately look for the universal design architects and access consultants Harry principles contained within. Moreover, Sprintz, Brian Kidd and Allen Kong. Harry Sprintz is a multi-award winning incorporating universal design features is architect and access consultant who has not significantly more expensive. Estimates Accessible design and the made universal design a core feature of his designs for almost 50 years. He suggest that the associated additional costs regulatory environment understands that some universally-designed are just one to two per cent of construction Across the world there are regulatory environments may still require additional costs. deficiencies surrounding accessible design. features. Designers working within the built In the commercial built environment space, Brian Kidd, a renowned dementia specialist environment can overlook the needs Australian designers need to understand the architect and access consultant is adept at of people with sensory and intellectual ramifications of the Disability Discrimination creating supportive environments. He is impairment. Wayfinding, in particular, is Act 1992 (DDA) and be familiar with the currently involved in a project translating poorly understood in the design community regulatory environment in respect to research into practice for dementia-enabling and requires unique approaches. Due to the accessibility. Apartment buildings and other environments, the first project of its kind in complexity of these considerations, seeking types of multi-person accommodation are Australia. the advice of an access consultant with subject to the provisions of BCA Volume Multi-award winning architect and access consultant Allen Kong, whose work has universal design proficiency and expertise in One (Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings) and are ensured first-rate outcomes for aged care visual, sensory and cognitive impairment is generally required to comply with certain residents, received the United Nations recommended. Ideally, designers should also obligations, particularly in respect to the Human Settlements Programme Habitat be familiar with the goals of inclusive design, percentage of accessible individual units or Scroll of Honour for his work. designing for diversity, barrier-free design rooms and the accessibility of common areas. and dementia-enabling environment design. In contrast, there is very little regulatory 86 This content downloaded from 132.174.251.59 on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:45:49 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms  DESIGN MATTERS Universal design control over the supply of accessible Right to mobility LINKS private dwellings and the specification of When designing using universal design Universal design principles: www.ncsu.edu/ accessibility features within them. principles it is important to acknowledge ncsu/design/cud/pubs_p/docs/poster.pdf However, some governments and that person- and place-specific design Livable Housing Design Guidelines: organisations are making moves to should not be overlooked. ‘Universalism’ – http://livablehousingaustralia.org.au/design- introduce universal design principles from which universal design is derived – is guidelines into the regulatory environment. The a utopian concept. There are limits to how Australian Capital Territory is consulting broad a spectrum of human ability universal Mary Ann Jackson is an architect, planner and with stakeholders regarding proposed design can cater for. While we can do much accredited access consultant. She is managing amendments to the ACT Appendix of the better than the current barrier-saturated director of Melbourne-based transdisciplinary BCA, which would see improved accessibility environment, ultimately some people will practice, Visionary Design Development Pty outcomes for all new detached private have unique needs and require additional Ltd www.vdd.com.au (Class 1a) dwellings. Meanwhile Banyule sophisticated assistive technology to achieve City Council, a Victorian municipality, their human right to mobility. has recently introduced accessibility requirements for private dwellings under certain conditions via its planning scheme provisions. Requirements are also modelled on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines. Sensory design Spacebar Studio has been working with architect Gary Dorn and Inka Respite, a not-for-profit farm-style respite stay for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome, just one hour south of Perth, Western Australia, to design new accommodation and visitor facilities. A key component of the project is a dedicated sensory room to be utilised by visitors in managing stress, anxiety and sensory overload. Project designer Simon Perroni explains that natural materiality and biophilic design considerations have played a vital role in shaping the sensory room’s design. Sustainable design techniques and materials being used in the project include stone masonry and gabion wall construction, lime-rendered straw bale walls, rammed earth flooring and native landscaping, planting and revegetation. The project has received planning approval and is in final design stages. http://inkarespite.com; www.dornworks.com 87 This content downloaded from 132.174.251.59 on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:45:49 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms