What Is Universal Design?

The process of imbedding choice for all people in the things we design.

choice involves flexibility, and multiple alternative means of use and/or interface
people includes the full range of people regardless of age, ability, sex, economic status, etc.
things include spaces, products, information systems and any other things that humans manipulate or create

Ron Mace, one of the original universal design movement leaders, defined universal design as: "Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design."

How Can Universal Designers & Consultants Help You?

We are architects and design professionals who assist…

• business owners and companies in improving customer access and making their establishments compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or the Fair Housing Act;
• homeowners enhance the livability of their homes—making changes that will improve the safety and comfort of a home for years to come.

News

ANSI A117.1 — comments deadline approaches
July 1, 2009

Interested parties of ICC/ANSI A117.1 Committee activities, the deadline date for submitting public comments related to the Fourth Public Comments Draft on the Draft Standard is Sunday, July 5th, 2009. 

You can go to http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/a117/index.html to obtain additional information and to follow a link to download a copy of the draft (or go directly to http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/a117/2008/draft_4/index.html ). The Fourth Public Comments Draft shows the changes to the standard that the committee made at its January 2009 meeting.  Public comments may be submitted on the revised portions of the sections shown in the draft.

Any public comments that are received will serve as the primary agenda item for the committee’s scheduled August 19th meeting.

 

Vacancy Announcement - Architect
June 23, 2009

A HUD vacany announcement was distrbuted last week.
Architect, GS-15, Office of Enforcement, Washington, D.C., announcement closes 6/29/09.

 

Government employees, visit:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=81359440&JobTitle=ARCHITECT&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=HUEE&AVSDM=2009-06-15+00%3a03%3a00

 

Non-government employees, visit:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=81395404&JobTitle=Architect&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=HUEE&AVSDM=2009-06-15+00%3a03%3a00

Job Openings — Accessibility Specialists
June 19, 2009

 

The National Center on Accessibility (ww.ncaonline.org) at Indiana University-Bloomington (www.iub.edu) has two open positions for Accessibility Specialists.

Job Description:
Assists the National Center on Accessibility (NCA) in meeting its nationally focused agenda in the areas of technical assistance, education, and research. Functions in a primary advisory role to NCA clientele in regard to the application of accessibility legal standards to recreation, parks, and tourism programs and facilities. Conducts accessibility condition assessments which require the evaluation of programs and physical facilities to determine accessibility compliance; then working collaboratively with NCA clients, develops solutions for the removal of barriers that are identified. Serves as a trainer for NCA educational programs and participates in NCA research projects as assigned. Extensive travel involving weekends and field work is required.

Equipment utilized: Computer, accessibility measurement tools (tape measure, digital level, Rotational Penetrometer, inclinometers, and rolatape), digital camera, and GPS.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in an area associated with parks and recreation, landscape architecture, or natural resources-related field and one to two years work involvement in parks, recreation, landscape architecture, or related experience required. Demonstrated experience associated with accessibility through direct work experience and/or completion of educational or training programs on the subject required.

Requires advanced knowledge in accessibility regulations and standards (i.e., Architectural Barriers Act, Americans with Disability Act, Section 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Notice of Proposed Rule for Outdoor Developed Areas), recreation programming principles, and application and inclusion guidelines. An in-depth understanding of federal rule-making, environmental and societal barriers for people with disabilities, and leisure trends pertinent to disability and the tourism industry needed.

Knowledge of best practices for the inclusion of people with disabilities; ability to collect and analyze field data and work with facility owners/operators to problem solve for viable outcomes; ability to speak publicly to small and large groups while representing NCA and the university off-campus; ability to work in and contribute to a team environment, both as a team member and project leader; and ability to work on multiple projects and meet established deadlines needed. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop. Master’s degree preferred.

The Accessibility Specialist position is a professional appointment at NCA and within the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Studies in the School for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Multiple positions 00034147 and 00034146.

To be considered for the positions, apply through the Indiana University Online Application system, reference Job # 411. (https://ola.indiana.edu/) Do not send applications to NCA. For more information on the National Center on Accessibility, www.ncaonline.org