RHFAC 10 things about Universal Design - 1: Universal Design strives to improve the original design concept by making it more inclusive 2: Universally Designed products can have a high aesthetic value 3: Universal Design is much more than just a new design trend 4: Universal Design does not aim to replace the design of products targeted at specific markets 5: Universal Design is not a synonym for compliance with accessible design standards 6: Universal Design benefits more people than older people and people with disabilities 7: Universal Design can be undertaken by any designer, not just the specialists 8: Universal Design should be integrated throughout the design process 9: Universal Design is not just about "one size fits all" 10: A Universally Designed product is the goal: Universal Design is the process 7 principles of universal design - 1. Equitable use 2. Flexibility in use 3. Simple and intuitive use 4. Perceptible information 5. Tolerance for error 6. Low physical effort 7. Size and space for approach and use 8 Goals of Univeral Design - • Body Fit - accommodates pople with a wide range of body sizes, statures and abilities or function • Comfort - ensures comfort for peple with a wide range of sizes/abilities • Awareness - ensures critical information is easily perceived • Understanding - methods of operation and use are intuitive, clear and unambiguous • Wellness - contributes to health promotion, avoidance of disease, and protection from hazards • Social integration - treats all groups of people with dignity and respect • Personalization - offers opportunities for choice and expression of individual preferences • Contextual appropriateness - respects and reinforces cultural values and the social and environmental context accessibility - degree to which a product, device, activity, facility, service or environment allows everyone to participate fully and is available to everyone on an equal basis Accessible Canada Act - provides for the development of accessibility standards accessible design or code minimum - primarily about meeting regulatory requirements, rather than about considering how people of all abilities access and use a space, represents the minimum dimension for widths, slopes, cross -slopes, surfaces, and facilities, not the required dimensions Anthropometry - study of the dimensions and abilities of the human body. Static anthropometry is the measurement of body sizes at rest and functional anthropometry is the measurement of abilities related to completing tasks Architectural or Physical - elements of buildings or outdoor spaces that block or limit access to persons with disabilities, Sidewalks, hallways, and doorways that are too narrow for a wheelchair, scooter or walker, Counters or desks that are too high for persons of short stature or someone using a wheelchair, or other mobility device, to interact with staff or to carry out a transaction, Poor lighting that makes it difficult for a person with low vision to see or for someone who lip -reads or uses sign language, Doorknobs that are difficult to grasp for a person with arthritis, telephones that are not equipped with telecommunications devices for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, lack of visual fire alarms could mean that a person with a hearing disability is working in an area that is unsafe for them. attitudinal barriers - behaviours, perceptions and assumptions that discriminate against persons with disabilities Assuming a person with a physical disability is not capable of being employed, Assuming a person with hearing loss cannot effectively communicate socially or in a work setting, Assuming that someone with vision loss cannot navigate public transportation, city streets or even a filing cabinet, Assuming that a person with mental health issues cannot handle stress. Barriers to Accessibility - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act identifies five barriers —
attitudinal, architectural and physical, organizational or systemic, information or communications, technology Bidding (Tendering) and Negotiation - Role of RHFAC professional: assist the architect and/or client in responding to questions raised by prospective contractors and to evaluate the bids from the perspective of accessibility Blindness Design Requirements - same as low vision plus layout and accoustics Cane detectable Wayfinding: • Provide sensory clues (textural, auditory, olfactory, etc.) • Centralize amenities, rather than scattering them throughout a Site • Include additional elements on signage, such as Braille, and raised lettering and symbols (use five -point star to indicate main floor in elevator) Building acts (legislation), regulations and codes - regulation of building and construction is a provincial or territorial responsibility except federal buildings (National Building Code legislation used) many provinces use variations on national building code Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec have their own based on the NBC
