What’s New: Beyond Accessibility to Universal Design Guide
“Universal design increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It also reduces stigma by putting people with disabilities on an equal playing field.” This quote is featured in an informative article titled Beyond Accessibility to Universal Design Guide by Jordan L. Maisel, PhD and Molly Ranahan, PhD that is posted on the Whole Building Design Guide® (WBDG) web-based portal.
Maisel and Ranahan articulate a clear definition of Universal Design and present a helpful table with examples of the differences between universal design and accessible design. The key topic areas related to Universal Design that are addressed include:
Principles of Universal Design
Eight Goals of Universal Design
Expanding the Adoption of Universal Design
The authors explain the relationship between Universal Design and solutions for a wide range of social issues including aging in place, sustainability, workplace design, public spaces, and social justice.
Numerous resources can be found on WBDG web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners with one-stop access to up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria, and technology from a 'whole buildings' perspective.
To read Beyond Accessibility to Universal Design Guide, click here.
To learn more about Whole Building Design Guide® (WBDG) web-based portal, click here.