Universal Design

The Cerebral Palsy Foundation launched a new initiative on the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) called Accessibility is Beautiful, generously supported by CHUBB. This innovative accessibility initiative includes a YouTube video miniseries and Universal Design “Look Book” will feature the homes of disability advocates Pat Wright and Deb Zeyen, Karen Braitmayer, Leslie Haynes and Randy Earle, designed… Continue Reading »

INDIA: It’s called Ranchhod Sees the World and it’s an illustration picture book about Ranchhod Soni, a visually impaired teacher in Gujarat, who has not disability come in the way of discovering new things. Bringing his story alive in a vivid and vibrant way for the first time is the Beyond Braille series which claims… Continue Reading »

Consultation is now underway for the The National Disability Strategy 2010-20. This is your opportunity to have your say on accessible tourism in the context of the wider National Disability Strategy. The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 is about creating a more inclusive society that enables Australians with disability to fulfil their potential… Continue Reading »

Lego has unveiled a new project aimed at helping blind and visually impaired children learn Braille in a “playful and engaging way.” Lego Braille Bricks, a concept originally proposed to the toy company by two charities, will allow children to learn the touch writing system through play. The bricks, which… Continue Reading »

Now in its fifth year, Design Council Spark is putting a new focus on driving accessible home innovation; Design Council Spark: The Home Innovation Challenge is aiming to deliver major impact, both financially and socially, for people with reduced mobility or disabilities. In the UK, there are currently 14 million… Continue Reading »

INDIA – Researchers with the Global Disability Innovation Hub, co-led by UCL (University College London) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi), are developing wheelchair-accessible maps of Delhi, India.  Described as Street Rehab, the collaborative project has been conceptualized with innovative sensing platforms. This is how it… Continue Reading »

The Japanese government is hoping that visitors to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics who use wheelchairs will have an easy time getting around. Officials say they’re going to obligate taxi operators to train their drivers in the use of specially designed vehicles.”Universal design” taxis look like station wagons and… Continue Reading »

Stephen was 14 when he lost all use of his legs and the full mobility of his arms in a traffic accident. Three years after the crash, the Braddock youth, who asked that his last name not be used, said he sorely missed getting outside with family and friends. “Hanging… Continue Reading »

ISRAEL: Ikea is the largest furniture manufacturer in the world. But its sleek designs, filled with handle-less drawers and low-profile furniture, aren’t necessarily friendly to the needs of people with disabilities.  Now Ikea Israel has teamed up with the nonprofits Milbat and Access Israel, each of which specializes in making the world more… Continue Reading »

Bangladesh’s Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed Bangladesh hopes to be a role model for the developing world in social services provided by the government to help poor, ill, disabled and elderly people, said a high official. “I can assure you that our country will be a role model of social… Continue Reading »