Universal Design

CANADA: While the COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the need for safe housing, Ontarians with disabilities have always lived with the harsh reality that their housing choices are extremely limited, chronically inaccessible and often substandard and unsafe. One in seven Ontarians have a disability. Yet, Ontarians with disabilities routinely face discriminatory… Continue Reading »

NEW ZEALAND: Alzheimers NZ wants more focus on designing buildings, particularly commercial and government buildings, to reflect the needs of people affected by dementia. Chief executive Catherine Hall says buildings cater for physically disabled people – they should also cater for people with cognitive disabilities like dementia. “We’ve seen great progress… Continue Reading »

On September 21 – World Alzheimer’s Day, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) launched the world’s most comprehensive report on dementia-related design and the built environment. The first of its kind, the World Alzheimer Report 2020 is the most comprehensive and in-depth look at dementia related design and the built environment. It looks… Continue Reading »

A new LAV4ALL design, developed by Austrian MRO provider FACC Aftermarket Services, seeks to make narrowbody lavatories accessible while occupying the same compact space as existing lavs. The design’s corner door, multiple handles, and clever use of space allows disabled passengers to enter the bathroom with their wheelchair and position… Continue Reading »

CANADA: Several UNBC professors have been working to make outdoor spaces across the province more accessible to British Columbians. The research is being supported with a $24,000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Partnership Engage grant. The professors, Drs. Mark Groulx, Shannon Freeman and Pamela Wright have been working collaboratively… Continue Reading »

INDIA: National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has announced the 11th edition of NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards 2020 to honour contributions towards the cause of accessibility and universal design. Nominations for the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards are now open. This is a prestigious award given nationally every year to people who are… Continue Reading »

Industrial designer jexter lim has created a range of adaptive tableware for the visually impaired. Titled ‘EATSY’, the set comprises a plate, bowl, cup, and utensils. each item has a distinctive feature that provides sensory cues to those with visual impairments. For example, the plate features a raised corner and slope to… Continue Reading »

SPAIN: The Extremadura Regional Government has signed a new agreement with the CB Foundation , the Caja de Extremadura Foundation , the Extremadura Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (Fempex) and the Association for the Care and Social Integration of People with Physical Disabilities in Extremadura (Apamex), with the aim of promoting universal accessibility in cultural… Continue Reading »

Regina Cohen, Brazil – In 2019, a Brazilian architect, Regina Cohen has represented G3ict and its Smart Cities for All initiative (SC4A)  in the Smart City Expo Curitiba in Mexico and also participated in the Smart Cities and Disability Conference (SUDI) 2019. In 2020, Regina attended the 27th World Congress of Architects… Continue Reading »

You know the bright future is here when we see design concepts like MÜV (pronounced “move”) – a purely electric, self-balancing, hands-free assistive mobility vehicle concept that grants you true omnidirectional maneuverability. To simplify it, think of it as a hoverboard with a seat but you don’t have to worry… Continue Reading »