Design for All

BY DEBORAH PADDISON

On the Road with Universal Design: 2008 Datebook

As the principles behind universal design and inclusive design continue to gain traction, more and more events are popping up across the country and around the world addressing various aspects of universal design and the myriad ways they can be incorporated into the built environment.

Whether it's a seminar on the latest trends in home design for seniors and Baby Boomers, learning how to implement smart-home and assistive technology in your projects, or just gaining a greater understanding of what everyday life is like for someone with a disability, there's plenty of opportunity here for designers and architects to enhance their knowledge base and skill set. Here's a sampling of some of this year's upcoming events.

February

The International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence (ICADI) — February 21–23, The Hilton St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, FL; www.icadi.phhp.ufl.edu.

This conference focuses on how older individuals, and those of any age with physical challenges, can maintain independence and active participation in society. Topics include mobility, assistive technology, home and workplace modification, and products that follow the principles of universal design. The event offers several tracks with a mix of submitted papers, technology demonstrations and keynote speakers.

Track: Livable Homes and Communities will address strategies to support personal independence as people age in the built environment, focusing on universal design, housing and community infrastructure. The session also addresses development of new products and environments, and improvements to existing homes and communities.
Track: Smart Homes/Robotics will address technology including home-monitoring, smart-home, smartphone and telehealth applications, plus the latest advances in robotics that can now, or will in the future, serve personal-assistance needs of people with disabilities.
Track: Work and Aging will address continued employment into later years for older persons who choose to continue working. Approaches include adaptations to workstations and workplaces.

March

23rd Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference — March 10–15, Los Angeles, CA; www.csun.edu/cod/conf.

Presented by the Center on Disabilities of California State University Northridge, this is the longest-running and largest annual university-sponsored conference on assistive technology and persons with disabilities. Guest speaker is the visionary entrepreneur and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Jim Fruchterman, who founded two nonprofit companies that benefit people with vision impairments and learning disabilities. Includes a 20th-anniversary celebration of the Alliance for Technology Access.

Environments for Aging: Designs for a New Era — March 17–19, J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, AZ; (212) 812-8411 or www.healthdesign.org.

Environments for Aging brings together developers, owners, design professionals, product manufacturers and government officials to explore new ideas for creating places that support people as they age. Last year's conference addressed the different expectations and needs of current and future generations of aging adults (i.e., World War II, Baby Boomers, Gen X) and creating affordable products, housing and transportation that support independence and facilitate involvement in social and civic activities. Produced by Vendome Group, LLC in conjunction with the Center for Health Design.

Aging in America: 2008 Joint Conference of the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging — March 27–30, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel and Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.; (415) 974-9675 or www.agingconference.org.

The new paradigms being created by an aging population and the new perceptions of what life can be like after 50 are having a significant impact on business and society. More than 3,500 attendees are expected at this annual conference, which features hundreds of sessions covering a diverse range of topics in aging, including design-related focus areas.

April

Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) XVI — April 3–6, Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX; www.cnu.org.

This annual event brings together architects, developers, planners, politicians and others involved in the creation of cities and towns, teaching them how to implement the principles of the New Urbanism: coherent regional planning, walkable neighborhoods, and attractive, accommodating and accessible civic spaces. Features a presentation by Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio and secretary of HUD, on how new urban strategies can create a better life for all Americans.

May

National ADA Symposium & Expo — May 12–14, America's Center, St. Louis, MO; www.adasymposium.org.

The National ADA Symposium is the most comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability laws. The session schedule covers a wide range of topics, and attendees can customize their schedule to meet individual needs and interests. Last year's architecture track included sessions on pedestrian access, recreational guidelines, bathrooms and showers, and state laws that go beyond the Accessibility Guidelines. Nationally recognized presenters include representatives from the agencies involved with the ADA. The Expo Hall features a wide range of disability-related products and services.

Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium 2008 — May 19–21, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Orleans, LA; 800-368-5242, ext. 8338 or www.nahb.org.

Sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders, this educational and networking event focuses on the fastest-growing segment of the housing market. Attendees include home builders, senior-living planners and architects, remodelers, independent- and assisted-living professionals, and others.

Designing the Parks — May 20–22, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (Part 1); Fall 2008, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA (Part 2); designingtheparks@virginia.edu.

This two-part conference examines the design of buildings and landscapes in regional, state and national parks. Part 1 is "The History of Park Planning and Design," while Part 2 is "Present and Future of Park Planning and Design." Aspects of park design include buildings, designed landscapes, park roads, interpretive design and any other aspect of how parks preserve and present nature and history to the public. Participants include architects, landscape architects, historians, scientists, national and state park managers and others involved in park research, design and management. Sponsored by the University of Virginia, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Park Service.

June

International Conference on the Inclusive Museum — June 8–11, National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden, The Netherlands; z08.cgpublisher.com.

This conference includes sessions on designing the museum experience for greater inclusivity, with an eye toward patrons' ethnic, gender and racial diversity as well as using universal design to create exhibits that are meaningful and accessible to a broad range of patrons, regardless of age or ability.

2008 Conference on Disability Studies — June 18–22, New York City, NY; www.disstudies.org/conference/2008/cfp.

Presented by the Society for Disability Studies, this conference focuses on disability perspectives in the urban environment, touching on physical accessibility, engagement, living with and without borders, identity, who can participate in the environment and who is denied or restricted access, and what is at stake when people are excluded from the experience.

August

Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference — August 21–24, Broward County Performing Arts Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL; www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility.

The annual LEAD Conference explores practical methods for implementing accessibility in cultural environments, such as performing arts centers, museums and other arts-related venues. The conference features dozens of seminars on topics such as physical and communication access; universal design; legal issues related to the ADA and cultural organizations; marketing strategies; and planning, leadership and advocacy. Participants share ideas and find out what has been successful for other arts organizations and cultural institutions in creating accessible programming.

Disability Rights and Social Participation: Ensuring a Society for All — August 25–28, Québec City Convention Center, Québec, Canada; www.riquebec2008.org.

Disability affects almost every person at some point in his or her life, and the goal of this conference is to determine ways to ensure full participation and empowerment of people with disabilities in society. This is the 21st World Congress of Rehabilitation International. RI is a global, diverse organization of persons with disabilities, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, service providers and advocates who work together to advance the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide.