NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN – “SYMPOSIUM ON INCLUSIVE DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING AND DESIGNING ACCESSIBLE RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTS”
Patricia More, PhD, MooreDesign Associates, Arizona

Accessible, adaptable and universal are terms now used to refer to housing or features in housing intended for use by people with disabilities and others.

Accessible generally means that the dwelling meets prescribed requirements for accessible housing. Mandatory requirements for accessible housing vary widely and are found in state, local and model building codes. 

Adaptable Design: Some accessible features such as knee spaces under sinks and counters and grab bars in bathroom are obvious and change the way an accessible dwelling looks and how it is used.  Some people for whom these features are not essential, dislike the appearance and the reduction in base cabinet space. 

Universal Design are items that are usable by most people regardless of their level of ability or disability can be considered universally usable.  Many accessible and adaptable features are universally usable.  Some features are made more universally usable by making them adjustable.  Closet rods, shelves and countertops are a few adjustable universally usable items. Universal design addresses the scope of accessibility and suggest making all elements and spaces accessible to and usable by all people to the greatest extent possible.  By incorporating the characteristics necessary for people with physical limitations into the design of common products and building spaces, we can make them easier and safer for everyone to use and more widely marketable and profitable.  The universal design approach goes beyond the minimum requirements and limitations of accessibility law. 

DEFINING THE TERMS, AND ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE
Jordana Maisel, MUP: Director of Outreach and Policy Studies, Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access, University at Buffalo
Eleanor Smith, Director, Concrete Change, Atlanta, GA

Ms. Misel and Ms. Smith introduced people to key terms related to accessibility, and how these terms specifically pertain to today’s housing issues.  They have expanded on the term “accessibility” and “visitability”.

Visitability – Visitable homes have at least – one entrance with zero steps, 32 inches of clear passage through all interior doors, including bathrooms and at least a half bath on the main (preferably a full bath) with a basic level of maneuvering space.

The basic access visitability features make fiscal sense for society as a whole.  The features help people remain at home instead of moving to institutions.

Accessibility is the most basic design to ensure basic access for disabled people in newly constructed private homes.

MODIFYING THE HOME
Todd Brickhouse, Brickhouse Accessibility Associates, NY,
Bruce Hannah, Hannah Design, Industrial Designer and Educator, NY
Danise Levine, M. Arch, Assistant Director, IDEA Center, University of Buffalo
Patricia Rizzo, Lead Researcher and Residential Program Manager, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The presenters addressed the scope of modifications required in order to create safe, accessible residential environments that allow residents to be as independent as possible in their own homes.

Bruce Hannah – creating a scenario of a typical day can help a designer formulate a design plan most beneficial to their client.  Scenarios that clarify the daily routine of a client.

Danise Levine – she has elaborated on the basic understanding of housing and universal design and expanded on the accessibility codes to address a broader mission that recognizes choices and differences when it comes to housing

Patricia Rizzo – has addresses physical and sensory challenges disabled persons face in housing as well as addressed the changes that our body takes both optical and neural.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN LIVING LABORATORY: A case study
Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD, Rossetti Enterprises, Inc.

This session was an overview of residential universal design from the particular point of view of an end user.  This session helped describe what it takes to develop and efficient resident – a home in which residents can grow old.  The goal is to provide a comfort level and deeper knowledge so that universal design home goals will be fully achieved.

TOWARD A NEW UNDERSTANDING: Environment & Inclusiveness
Valerie Fletcher, Executive Director, Adaptive Environments

Ms. Fletcher offers a perspective on the potential of inclusive design to shape a humanist vision for a potent role for design in the 21st century. 

UNIVERSAL KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN
Mary Jo Peterson, Mary Jo Peterson Design

Ms. Peterson expanded on the principles and goals of universal design to the kitchen and bath, exploring the concepts and products that help make it a reality.  As consumer demands and needs for flexibility and access grow, the design-build world is responding with growing applications of universal design, with emphasis on kitchen and bath.

CODES, LIABILITY, AND THE LAW
Linda Volpe, Codes and Accessibility Specialist, United Spinal Association

Ms. Volpe focused on accessibility requirements impacting Residential Occupancies.  On How interior designers and architects can gain a better understanding of federal accessibility requirements that must be achieved in order to comply with Fair Housing Amendments Acts

 
LIGHTING AND THE ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT
Patricia Rizzo, Lead Researcher and Residential Program Manager, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

This session focused on visual acuity and the impact of proper lighting on the safety and welfare of those with vision impairment. 

A MODEL ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT:
Headquarters of the Lighthouse International, NYC
Cydney Strand, Associate, Education and International Programs Lighthouse International

Lighthouse International, a well known vision rehabilitation organization discusses their two-part goal. 1, modernizing the existing Lighthouse facilities and 2, creating a unique space that would be a model of accessibility for people of all ages with impaired vision while incorporating universal design features.  This lecture participants experienced what it was like to have different types of vision impairments.