Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Min Hyung Lee
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
Dec 3rd, 2007
Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Introduction
Most families which have a handicapped person feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with them which have a handicapped person in their family because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea. This is true even in the school for the disabled. Most laws regarding accessibility distinguish between people who have functional limitation and people who don’t have it. It means itself of definition of accessible design connotes important factors of discrimination like us vs. them. As our society ages, we need to think about these issues because most seniors have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, they often struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors. Therefore, the government and communities need to consider human diversity and benefits people of all ages and abilities.
What is universal design?
The world which was designed by people can’t satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problem with the space we live in and the products we use because designers are trained to design for the average group of people .But in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and the human species is quite diverse. According to Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007), “The U.S. Congress, recognizing that inaccessible buildings are one form of discrimination, passed in 1988, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, and in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). Each contains design specifications that provide minimum requirements for building design to eliminate discriminatory building practices and make spaces usable by people with disabilities.” Even though accessible design tries to suggest some criteria for the handicapped after the ADA, this design is just for the handicapped. So, designers should consider products or environments to suit the wide range of users, including children, elderly people, people with disabilities, and people who are ill or injured. Designers coined the term, universal design, which can fully explain adaptable design for diverse people. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design does consider human diversity in the real world and benefits people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of experts developed the following principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Accessible design for the handicapped just focuses on approaches that eliminate discrimination for minority group. In contrast, instead of focusing on one minor group, universal design should suggest an approach that provides expanded usability for diverse groups.
Public restroom
As these principles mention above, public restrooms are one of the places which need a more flexible design because a diverse population uses them. Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restrooms, these requirements focus on just the solution of maneuvering problems with wheelchair users. For example, the ADA encourages a 4 feet main entrance and 60 inch wide space for turning around in the middle of a restroom for a public accessible restroom design because wheelchair users need more wide space to enter and they need turning space in the middle of restroom to change their direction. However there are many other things to think about public restrooms like the height of the lavatory, paper towel dispensers and toilets or urinals for children. Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups. Thus, public restrooms should have, according to Danise (2003):
Toilets with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restrooms with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispensers located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Accessible design requires numerical standards in public restrooms. However, it does not pursue expanded usability and convenience for all. In contrast, even though universal design is ideal rather than accessible design, it can make public places like true home for everyone in the community.
Seating
Even though every public place can’t be comfortable like home to every group, public seating for performances must be more comfortable places to all because users pay a price for their seats and they have the right to enjoy their performances. However, wheelchair seating in theaters, stadiums, and other places is located in the back or front sides of the main seating space. This is because more wide space is needed to place wheelchairs. Many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performances. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst places for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair for them. Universal design can suggest more convenient ways to enjoy users’ right in public seating. Thus, public seating should have, according to Danise (2003):
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
People paid for the seat so they have the right to enjoy the performances in the public seating. The use of wheelchair can’t be obstacles against the right to pursue one’s happiness. ADA guidelines of focusing only on dimensions can’t meet diverse needs in the community. Therefore, universal design leads to design approach to meet the right to pursue one’s happiness in public space.
Entrances and Exits
Although the ADA guidelines meet minimum requirements for door openings, many people still have difficulties with entrances. According to Danise( 2003), “The clear opening requirement of 32 inches accommodate average sized wheelchairs, which are 25 inches to 28 inches wide, but wheelchair are available from 20 1/2 inches to 34 3/4 inches wide. People who use larger wheelchairs find it difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver through many doorways without hitting their elbows or causing damage to door frames” (p. 47). All doors meet all minimum requirements of the ADA with dimensions, while wheelchair users are not only the ones who has difficulties maneuvering through doorways. People carrying packages, strollers, and small children also experience some difficulties going through entrances. Thus, entrances and exits should have, according to Danise(2003):
Wider openings and maneuvering clearances at doors that accommodate different users and style of movement (e.g. a person in a wheelchair, a person with a dog, a child in a stroller, adults carrying bags of groceries.)
Light weight doors that can be opened and closed with very little force.
Automatic sliding doors that open without any effort.
Push-type, lever, or U-shaped handles that can be operated easily by someone with poor hand strength.
Low Physical Effort (Principle 6) can be applied for Entrances and Exits design. Automated doors and light weight doors are good examples of this principle because this enables all people, regardless of their abilities to open the doors.
Conclusion
This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the architectural environment. In terms of entrances and exits, universal design suggested automatic sliding doors and light weight doors for diverse users in public spaces. Public seating considered that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends and the most convenient routes to accessible seating. Finally, universal design applied toilet with an adjustable height seat and additional family style restroom with emergency alarm for public restroom.
Before universal design, there were many attempts to approach with numerical value, which is concept of accessible design. However accessible design can’t meet all demands of diverse groups. Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities exactly in the real condition so far, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design.
References
Danise Levine. ( 2003). Universal Design New York 2. New York. IDeA publication.
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw
Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
6th draft
A Study on Adaptable Residential Design for Mobility Disabilities
Min Hyung Lee
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Sang Kim, Thomas Healy
November, 12, 2007
Introduction
Due to the rapid growth of aging society, traffic accidents, and industrial disasters, there has been an increase in people with mobility disabilities, who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids. This has become a major issue in our society. Communities and government have tried to give people with disabilities equal rights to participate in their society as valuable members. For example, public facilities, not only buildings but also roads, schools, and parks, are more nowadays accessible than in the past and can be used by all people without any barrier. However, the disabled are still struggling with their physical obstacles. In spite of that interior designers should think about various members of communities and their abilities, the few studies on interior design for the impaired have been limited to public facilities. It is difficult for the handicapped and family members to live a convenient life in their house, therefore it is necessary for interior designers to think about these difficulties. In order to address this issue, this report proposes universal design in residential design. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), universal design is barrier¬- free and accessible design for all people. It makes products and environments usable by all people. Thus, this paper will focus on the difficulties of the disabled in residential areas and will try to find adaptable residential design through universal design as a solution.
The Physical Obstacle of The Disabled in Residential Space
Residential space design is one of the most important factors which influences the quality of life and independence for the disabled. However, the physically impaired have difficulty moving and obvious access problems with the physical obstacles in their houses. According to Young and Pace (2007), house design for people who are not handicapped has developed as industrialization increases, while house interior design for wheelchair users has not been developed addressed their maneuvering problems. This maneuvering problems include narrow gallery spaces, steep slope, uneven surfaces, negotiating steps or changes in level at an entrance, toilet and bathing facilities, and reaching and seeing items placed at conventional heights.
Universal Design in Residential Space
Young and Pace (2007) showed, if impaired people who use a wheelchair don’t live in a particular house designed in consideration of the disabled, they feel difficulty during their daily lives with their wheelchair. The interior designs and architectures are definitely important to the handicapped because they could be focal point for quality of life. In some cases, the physically challenged use facilities designed for them conveniently after they are remodeled, while their family feels difficulty using this facility because this design doesn’t consider normal people. Therefore, this standard should guarantee independent life for the handicapped and convenient life between incapacitated people and family members in the same place simultaneously and with a universal design, which was suggested at North Carolina State University, could be solution to solve this problem in this paper. From now on, this report would suggest some focal criteria in each area, which could meet demands of both sides.
Entrances and General Interior Space
Whenever the handicapped enter into their main door, they would meet an obstacle in front of the door and they need another person’s help to enter. Therefore, in terms of entrance design, the Young and Pace (2007) study found the following:
One entrance without steps.
Minimum five x five-foot maneuvering space at the stepless entrance.
For viewing, a sidelight or a peephole at 42 and 60 inches above the floor.
All closet rods adjustable to 48 inches above the floor.
Kitchens
Moreover, the handicapped need extra space for maneuvering with a wheelchair and more space to turn around in the kitchen. However, we generally can not find this wide space in the kitchen and disabled people feel difficulty to move back and forth there and they can’t move easily from kitchen furniture and to refrigerator. For example, whenever they want to open the door of kitchen furniture and refrigerator, wheelchair users have to move aside from theses objects because of lack of space in the kitchen. According to Young and Pace (2007):
Adaptable cabinets to reveal knee space at sink and under work surface near
cooking appliance.
Counter space with front - or side-mounted controls and staggered burners to
eliminate dangerous reaching.
Single-lever faucets.
Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer or refrigerator/freezer with frozen food storage in the bottom.
Variable height work surfaces adjustable through a range of 28 to 42 inches.
Bathroom and Bedroom
The bathroom is an important space that causes many unexpected accidents due to carelessness. The obstruction factors are increased when the disabled try to use both hands or to reach and pick up objects, or when people try to move and to assist the severe handicapped in the bathroom. And also the bathroom needs extra space to move and turn around in the wheelchair. Designer have to think about the height of the toilet as the same as the wheelchair and safety holders for the enfeebled because it is difficult to switch from a wheelchair to bath tubs and toilets. Regarding bathroom design, the Young and Pace (2007) study found the following:
Adaptable cabinets to reveal knee space under lavatory.
Enlarged reinforced areas around toilets and bathing fixtures to provide secure.
Mounting locations other than the minimums found in design standards.
Offset controls in tub or shower to minimize stooping, bending, and reaching.
Single-lever faucets.
Toilet centered in a minimum 36-inch wide space, 18 inches from the sidewall.
Adjustable height hand-held shower head.
Mirror to backsplash at lavatory.
Finally, the bedroom needs more space to access the bed and the height of it is the same as a wheelchair.
Conclusion
This research focused on the characteristics of disabled people who use wheelchairs, their difficulty in general residential houses and suggested some criteria as the solution of these problems using universal design. For the entrance, this paper suggested a design without steps and enough space for moving. For the kitchen, this paper proposed adaptable cabinets considering knee space and variable height working space. Finally, this paper suggested wide enough spaces to turn around near toilets and bathing fixtures and adaptable cabinets for knee space under lavatory.
This standard is on the assumption that there is enough space and they can afford to renovate their home but it still has difficulty when applying it in real conditions, while this standard can be adaptable design criteria for mobility disabilities and it suggested that it can substantially help the disabled. Even though this research paper suggested some standards in residential design, these are limited to wheelchair user and this paper could not cover all the physically challenged. There is no researches about seriously ill disabled people like those who have cerebral palsy. Therefore, designers and architects have to establish particular adaptable standards for each different the disability.
Reference List
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw-Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
Young, L. C. (2007). Residential Rehabilitation, Remodeling and Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 28,2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/residential_remodelinl.
Pdf
Min Hyung Lee
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Sang Kim, Thomas Healy
November, 12, 2007
Introduction
Due to the rapid growth of aging society, traffic accidents, and industrial disasters, there has been an increase in people with mobility disabilities, who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids. This has become a major issue in our society. Communities and government have tried to give people with disabilities equal rights to participate in their society as valuable members. For example, public facilities, not only buildings but also roads, schools, and parks, are more nowadays accessible than in the past and can be used by all people without any barrier. However, the disabled are still struggling with their physical obstacles. In spite of that interior designers should think about various members of communities and their abilities, the few studies on interior design for the impaired have been limited to public facilities. It is difficult for the handicapped and family members to live a convenient life in their house, therefore it is necessary for interior designers to think about these difficulties. In order to address this issue, this report proposes universal design in residential design. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), universal design is barrier¬- free and accessible design for all people. It makes products and environments usable by all people. Thus, this paper will focus on the difficulties of the disabled in residential areas and will try to find adaptable residential design through universal design as a solution.
The Physical Obstacle of The Disabled in Residential Space
Residential space design is one of the most important factors which influences the quality of life and independence for the disabled. However, the physically impaired have difficulty moving and obvious access problems with the physical obstacles in their houses. According to Young and Pace (2007), house design for people who are not handicapped has developed as industrialization increases, while house interior design for wheelchair users has not been developed addressed their maneuvering problems. This maneuvering problems include narrow gallery spaces, steep slope, uneven surfaces, negotiating steps or changes in level at an entrance, toilet and bathing facilities, and reaching and seeing items placed at conventional heights.
Universal Design in Residential Space
Young and Pace (2007) showed, if impaired people who use a wheelchair don’t live in a particular house designed in consideration of the disabled, they feel difficulty during their daily lives with their wheelchair. The interior designs and architectures are definitely important to the handicapped because they could be focal point for quality of life. In some cases, the physically challenged use facilities designed for them conveniently after they are remodeled, while their family feels difficulty using this facility because this design doesn’t consider normal people. Therefore, this standard should guarantee independent life for the handicapped and convenient life between incapacitated people and family members in the same place simultaneously and with a universal design, which was suggested at North Carolina State University, could be solution to solve this problem in this paper. From now on, this report would suggest some focal criteria in each area, which could meet demands of both sides.
Entrances and General Interior Space
Whenever the handicapped enter into their main door, they would meet an obstacle in front of the door and they need another person’s help to enter. Therefore, in terms of entrance design, the Young and Pace (2007) study found the following:
One entrance without steps.
Minimum five x five-foot maneuvering space at the stepless entrance.
For viewing, a sidelight or a peephole at 42 and 60 inches above the floor.
All closet rods adjustable to 48 inches above the floor.
Kitchens
Moreover, the handicapped need extra space for maneuvering with a wheelchair and more space to turn around in the kitchen. However, we generally can not find this wide space in the kitchen and disabled people feel difficulty to move back and forth there and they can’t move easily from kitchen furniture and to refrigerator. For example, whenever they want to open the door of kitchen furniture and refrigerator, wheelchair users have to move aside from theses objects because of lack of space in the kitchen. According to Young and Pace (2007):
Adaptable cabinets to reveal knee space at sink and under work surface near
cooking appliance.
Counter space with front - or side-mounted controls and staggered burners to
eliminate dangerous reaching.
Single-lever faucets.
Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer or refrigerator/freezer with frozen food storage in the bottom.
Variable height work surfaces adjustable through a range of 28 to 42 inches.
Bathroom and Bedroom
The bathroom is an important space that causes many unexpected accidents due to carelessness. The obstruction factors are increased when the disabled try to use both hands or to reach and pick up objects, or when people try to move and to assist the severe handicapped in the bathroom. And also the bathroom needs extra space to move and turn around in the wheelchair. Designer have to think about the height of the toilet as the same as the wheelchair and safety holders for the enfeebled because it is difficult to switch from a wheelchair to bath tubs and toilets. Regarding bathroom design, the Young and Pace (2007) study found the following:
Adaptable cabinets to reveal knee space under lavatory.
Enlarged reinforced areas around toilets and bathing fixtures to provide secure.
Mounting locations other than the minimums found in design standards.
Offset controls in tub or shower to minimize stooping, bending, and reaching.
Single-lever faucets.
Toilet centered in a minimum 36-inch wide space, 18 inches from the sidewall.
Adjustable height hand-held shower head.
Mirror to backsplash at lavatory.
Finally, the bedroom needs more space to access the bed and the height of it is the same as a wheelchair.
Conclusion
This research focused on the characteristics of disabled people who use wheelchairs, their difficulty in general residential houses and suggested some criteria as the solution of these problems using universal design. For the entrance, this paper suggested a design without steps and enough space for moving. For the kitchen, this paper proposed adaptable cabinets considering knee space and variable height working space. Finally, this paper suggested wide enough spaces to turn around near toilets and bathing fixtures and adaptable cabinets for knee space under lavatory.
This standard is on the assumption that there is enough space and they can afford to renovate their home but it still has difficulty when applying it in real conditions, while this standard can be adaptable design criteria for mobility disabilities and it suggested that it can substantially help the disabled. Even though this research paper suggested some standards in residential design, these are limited to wheelchair user and this paper could not cover all the physically challenged. There is no researches about seriously ill disabled people like those who have cerebral palsy. Therefore, designers and architects have to establish particular adaptable standards for each different the disability.
Reference List
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw-Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
Young, L. C. (2007). Residential Rehabilitation, Remodeling and Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 28,2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/residential_remodelinl.
3rd draft
Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Min Hyung Lee
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
Dec 3rd, 2007
Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Introduction
Most families which have a handicapped person feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with family members which have a handicapped person in their family because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea. This is true even in the school for the disabled. And definition of laws regarding accessibility distinguishes between people who have functional limitation and people who don’t have it. It means itself of definition of accessible design connotes important factors of discrimination like us vs. them. As our society ages, we need to think about these issues because almost of seniors have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, they often struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors. Therefore, the government and communities need to consider human diversity and benefits people of all ages and abilities.
What is universal design?
The world which was designed by people can not satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problem with the space we live in and the products we use because designers are trained to design for average group of people .But in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and the human species is quite diverse. According to Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007), “The U.S. Congress, recognizing that inaccessible buildings are one form of discrimination, passed in 1988, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, and in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). Each contains design specifications that provide minimum requirements for building design to eliminate discriminatory building practices and make spaces usable by people with disabilities.” Even though accessible design tries to suggest some criteria for the handicapped after ADA, this design is just for the handicapped. So, designers should consider products or environment to suit the wide range of users, including children, elderly people, people with disabilities, and people who are ill or injured. Designers coined the term, universal design, which can fully explain adaptable design for diverse people. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design does consider human diversity in the real world and benefits people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of expert developed the principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Accessible design for the handicapped just have focused on approach that eliminate discriminate for minor group. In contrast, instead of focusing on one minor group, universal design should suggest approach that provides expanded usability for diverse groups.
Public restroom
As these principle mentioned above, public restrooms are one of the places which need more flexible design because diverse population can use this place in public space. Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restroom, these requirements focus on just solution of maneuvering problem with wheelchair users. For example, ADA encourages 4 feet main entrance and 60 inch wide space for turning around in the middle of restroom for public accessible restroom design because wheelchair users need more wide space to enter into and they need turning space in the middle of restroom to change their direction. However there are many other things to think about public restroom like the height of lavatory, paper towel dispenser and toilets or urinals for children. According to Danise (2003), Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups.
Toilet with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restroom with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispenser located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Accessible design suggested minimal solution for the handicapped with numerical standard in public restroom. However, it does not pursue expanded usability and convenience for all. In contrast, even though universal design is ideal rather than accessible design, it can make public place like true home for everyone in the community.
Seating
Even though every public place can’t be comfortable like home to every group, public seating for performances must be more comfortable places to all because users pay some price for their seats and they have the right to enjoy their performances at any places. However, wheelchair seating in theaters, stadiums, and other places locates in the back or front sides of the main places. Because more wide space needs to place wheelchairs. Many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performances. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst places for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair for them. Universal design can suggest more convenient ways to enjoy users’ right in public seating. Public seating should consider, Danise (2003) study found the following:
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
Every people want to enjoy their life without any barrier and people can request their minimum rights for their price. Use of wheelchair can’t be obstacles against the right to pursue one’s happiness. ADA guidelines through numerical approach can’t meet diverse needs in the community. Therefore, universal design leads to design approach to meet the right to pursue one’s happiness in public space.
Entrances and Exits
Although the ADA guidelines meet minimum requirements for door openings, many people still have difficulties with entrances. According to Danise( 2003), “The clear opening requirement of 32 inches accommodate average sized wheelchairs, which are 25 inches to 28 inches wide, but wheelchair are available from 20 1/2 inches to 34 3/4 inches wide. People who use larger wheelchairs find it difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver through many doorways without hitting their elbows or causing damage to door frames” (p. 47). All doors meet all minimum requirements of the ADA with numerical values, while wheelchair users are not only one who has difficulties maneuvering through doorways. People carrying packages, strollers, and small children also experience some difficulties going through entrances. Thus, entrances and exits should have, according to Danise:
Wider openings and maneuvering clearances at doors that accommodate different users and style of movement (e.g. a person in a wheelchair, a person with a dog, a child in a stroller, adults carrying bags of groceries.)
Light weight doors that can be opened and closed with very little force.
Automatic sliding doors that open without any effort.
Push-type, lever, or U-shaped handles that can be operated easily by someone with poor hand strength.
Low Physical Effort (Principle 6) can be applied for Entrances and Exits design. Automated doors and light weight doors are good examples of this principle because this enables all people, regardless of their abilities to open the doors.
Conclusion
This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the built environment. In terms of entrance and exit, universal design suggested automatic sliding doors and light weight doors for diverse users in public spaces. Public seating considered that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends and the most convenient routes to accessible seating area. Finally, universal design applied toilet with an adjustable height seat and additional family style restroom with emergency alarm for public restroom.
Before applying universal design, there are many tries to approach with numerical value, which is concept of accessible design. However accessible design can not meet all demand of diverse group. Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities exactly in the real condition so far, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design.
References
Danise Levine. ( 2003). Universal Design New York 2. New York. IDeA publication.
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw
Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
Min Hyung Lee
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
Dec 3rd, 2007
Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Introduction
Most families which have a handicapped person feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with family members which have a handicapped person in their family because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea. This is true even in the school for the disabled. And definition of laws regarding accessibility distinguishes between people who have functional limitation and people who don’t have it. It means itself of definition of accessible design connotes important factors of discrimination like us vs. them. As our society ages, we need to think about these issues because almost of seniors have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, they often struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors. Therefore, the government and communities need to consider human diversity and benefits people of all ages and abilities.
What is universal design?
The world which was designed by people can not satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problem with the space we live in and the products we use because designers are trained to design for average group of people .But in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and the human species is quite diverse. According to Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007), “The U.S. Congress, recognizing that inaccessible buildings are one form of discrimination, passed in 1988, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, and in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). Each contains design specifications that provide minimum requirements for building design to eliminate discriminatory building practices and make spaces usable by people with disabilities.” Even though accessible design tries to suggest some criteria for the handicapped after ADA, this design is just for the handicapped. So, designers should consider products or environment to suit the wide range of users, including children, elderly people, people with disabilities, and people who are ill or injured. Designers coined the term, universal design, which can fully explain adaptable design for diverse people. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design does consider human diversity in the real world and benefits people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of expert developed the principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Accessible design for the handicapped just have focused on approach that eliminate discriminate for minor group. In contrast, instead of focusing on one minor group, universal design should suggest approach that provides expanded usability for diverse groups.
Public restroom
As these principle mentioned above, public restrooms are one of the places which need more flexible design because diverse population can use this place in public space. Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restroom, these requirements focus on just solution of maneuvering problem with wheelchair users. For example, ADA encourages 4 feet main entrance and 60 inch wide space for turning around in the middle of restroom for public accessible restroom design because wheelchair users need more wide space to enter into and they need turning space in the middle of restroom to change their direction. However there are many other things to think about public restroom like the height of lavatory, paper towel dispenser and toilets or urinals for children. According to Danise (2003), Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups.
Toilet with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restroom with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispenser located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Accessible design suggested minimal solution for the handicapped with numerical standard in public restroom. However, it does not pursue expanded usability and convenience for all. In contrast, even though universal design is ideal rather than accessible design, it can make public place like true home for everyone in the community.
Seating
Even though every public place can’t be comfortable like home to every group, public seating for performances must be more comfortable places to all because users pay some price for their seats and they have the right to enjoy their performances at any places. However, wheelchair seating in theaters, stadiums, and other places locates in the back or front sides of the main places. Because more wide space needs to place wheelchairs. Many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performances. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst places for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair for them. Universal design can suggest more convenient ways to enjoy users’ right in public seating. Public seating should consider, Danise (2003) study found the following:
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
Every people want to enjoy their life without any barrier and people can request their minimum rights for their price. Use of wheelchair can’t be obstacles against the right to pursue one’s happiness. ADA guidelines through numerical approach can’t meet diverse needs in the community. Therefore, universal design leads to design approach to meet the right to pursue one’s happiness in public space.
Entrances and Exits
Although the ADA guidelines meet minimum requirements for door openings, many people still have difficulties with entrances. According to Danise( 2003), “The clear opening requirement of 32 inches accommodate average sized wheelchairs, which are 25 inches to 28 inches wide, but wheelchair are available from 20 1/2 inches to 34 3/4 inches wide. People who use larger wheelchairs find it difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver through many doorways without hitting their elbows or causing damage to door frames” (p. 47). All doors meet all minimum requirements of the ADA with numerical values, while wheelchair users are not only one who has difficulties maneuvering through doorways. People carrying packages, strollers, and small children also experience some difficulties going through entrances. Thus, entrances and exits should have, according to Danise:
Wider openings and maneuvering clearances at doors that accommodate different users and style of movement (e.g. a person in a wheelchair, a person with a dog, a child in a stroller, adults carrying bags of groceries.)
Light weight doors that can be opened and closed with very little force.
Automatic sliding doors that open without any effort.
Push-type, lever, or U-shaped handles that can be operated easily by someone with poor hand strength.
Low Physical Effort (Principle 6) can be applied for Entrances and Exits design. Automated doors and light weight doors are good examples of this principle because this enables all people, regardless of their abilities to open the doors.
Conclusion
This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the built environment. In terms of entrance and exit, universal design suggested automatic sliding doors and light weight doors for diverse users in public spaces. Public seating considered that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends and the most convenient routes to accessible seating area. Finally, universal design applied toilet with an adjustable height seat and additional family style restroom with emergency alarm for public restroom.
Before applying universal design, there are many tries to approach with numerical value, which is concept of accessible design. However accessible design can not meet all demand of diverse group. Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities exactly in the real condition so far, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design.
References
Danise Levine. ( 2003). Universal Design New York 2. New York. IDeA publication.
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw
Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
Second draft
Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Min Hyung Lee
Nov, 26, 2007
Introduction
Most families, which have a handicapped person in their family, feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with them because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his maneuvering difficulties in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea, even in the school for the disabled. As our society ages, we need to think about this issues because almost of them have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, people struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors in their daily life. Therefore, government and communities need to consider the accessible design to help to get rid of physical obstacles for elderly and feeble people who have difficulties access public facilities.
What is universal design?
The designed world can not satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problems with the space we live in and the products we have used because designers are trained to design for average group of people considering human factors, however in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and human species are quite diverse. According to Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007), “The U.S. Congress, recognizing that inaccessible buildings are one form of discrimination, passed in 1988, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, and in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). Each contains design specifications that provide minimum requirements for building design to eliminate discriminatory building practices and make spaces usable by people with disabilities.” Even though accessible design tries to suggest some criteria for the handicapped after ADA, this design is just for the handicapped. So, designers consider products or environment to suit wide range of users, including children, elderly, people with disabilities, people who are ill or injured. We can fully explain this theme as universal design. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design can considers human diversity in the real world and gives benefits to people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of expert developed the principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Public restroom
Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restroom, these requirements focus on just wheelchair users. Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups. According to Danise (2003),
Toilet with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restroom with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispenser located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Seating
Typically, wheelchair seating in theater, stadium, and other public places locates in the back or front side of the main place because more wide space needs to place wheelchair. So many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performance. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst place for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair enough for them. So, in terms of seating design, Danise (2003) study found the following:
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
Entrance and Exit
Although the ADA guideline meets minimum requirements for door opening, many people still have difficulties with entries. According to Danise( 2003), “The clear opening requirement of 32 inches accommodate average sized wheelchairs, which are 25 inches to 28 inches wide, but wheelchair are available from 20 1/2 inches to 34 3/4 inches wide. People who use larger wheelchairs find it difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver through many doorways without hitting their elbows or causing damage to door frames” (p. 47). All doors meet all minimum requirements of the ADA with numerical values, while wheelchair users are not only one who has difficulties maneuvering through doorways. People carrying packages, strollers, and small children also experience some difficulties going through entries. Automated door is good example of universal design because this enables all people, regardless of their abilities to open the door. In terms of entrance and exit, according to Danise:
Wider openings and maneuvering clearances at doors that accommodate different users and style of movement (e.g. a person in a wheelchair, a person with a dog, a child in a stroller, adults carrying bags of groceries.)
Light weight doors that can be opened and closed with very little force.
Automatic sliding doors that open without any effort.
Push-type, lever, or U-shaped handles that can be operated easily by someone with poor hand strength.
Conclusion
This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the built environment. In terms of entrance and exit, universal design suggested automatic sliding doors and light weight doors for diverse users in public spaces. Public seating considered that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends and the most convenient routes to accessible seating area. Finally, universal design applied toilet with an adjustable height seat and additional family style restroom with emergency alarm for public restroom.
Before applying universal design, there are many tries to access with numerical value, which is concept of accessible design. However accessible design can not meet all demand of diverse group. Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities in the real condition, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design.
References
Danise Levine. ( 2003). Universal Design New York 2. New York. IDeA publication.
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw
Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
Min Hyung Lee
Nov, 26, 2007
Introduction
Most families, which have a handicapped person in their family, feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with them because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his maneuvering difficulties in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea, even in the school for the disabled. As our society ages, we need to think about this issues because almost of them have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, people struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors in their daily life. Therefore, government and communities need to consider the accessible design to help to get rid of physical obstacles for elderly and feeble people who have difficulties access public facilities.
What is universal design?
The designed world can not satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problems with the space we live in and the products we have used because designers are trained to design for average group of people considering human factors, however in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and human species are quite diverse. According to Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007), “The U.S. Congress, recognizing that inaccessible buildings are one form of discrimination, passed in 1988, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, and in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). Each contains design specifications that provide minimum requirements for building design to eliminate discriminatory building practices and make spaces usable by people with disabilities.” Even though accessible design tries to suggest some criteria for the handicapped after ADA, this design is just for the handicapped. So, designers consider products or environment to suit wide range of users, including children, elderly, people with disabilities, people who are ill or injured. We can fully explain this theme as universal design. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design can considers human diversity in the real world and gives benefits to people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of expert developed the principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Public restroom
Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restroom, these requirements focus on just wheelchair users. Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups. According to Danise (2003),
Toilet with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restroom with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispenser located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Seating
Typically, wheelchair seating in theater, stadium, and other public places locates in the back or front side of the main place because more wide space needs to place wheelchair. So many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performance. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst place for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair enough for them. So, in terms of seating design, Danise (2003) study found the following:
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
Entrance and Exit
Although the ADA guideline meets minimum requirements for door opening, many people still have difficulties with entries. According to Danise( 2003), “The clear opening requirement of 32 inches accommodate average sized wheelchairs, which are 25 inches to 28 inches wide, but wheelchair are available from 20 1/2 inches to 34 3/4 inches wide. People who use larger wheelchairs find it difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver through many doorways without hitting their elbows or causing damage to door frames” (p. 47). All doors meet all minimum requirements of the ADA with numerical values, while wheelchair users are not only one who has difficulties maneuvering through doorways. People carrying packages, strollers, and small children also experience some difficulties going through entries. Automated door is good example of universal design because this enables all people, regardless of their abilities to open the door. In terms of entrance and exit, according to Danise:
Wider openings and maneuvering clearances at doors that accommodate different users and style of movement (e.g. a person in a wheelchair, a person with a dog, a child in a stroller, adults carrying bags of groceries.)
Light weight doors that can be opened and closed with very little force.
Automatic sliding doors that open without any effort.
Push-type, lever, or U-shaped handles that can be operated easily by someone with poor hand strength.
Conclusion
This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the built environment. In terms of entrance and exit, universal design suggested automatic sliding doors and light weight doors for diverse users in public spaces. Public seating considered that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends and the most convenient routes to accessible seating area. Finally, universal design applied toilet with an adjustable height seat and additional family style restroom with emergency alarm for public restroom.
Before applying universal design, there are many tries to access with numerical value, which is concept of accessible design. However accessible design can not meet all demand of diverse group. Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities in the real condition, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design.
References
Danise Levine. ( 2003). Universal Design New York 2. New York. IDeA publication.
Ostroff , E., & Preiser, W. ( 2001). Universal Design Handbook. New York. McGraw
Hill.
The Center for Universal Design (2007). About Universal Design. North Carolina State University. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm
Young, L. C., & Pace, R. J. (2007). Accessible Multifamily Housing. North Carolina State University. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/pubs_p/docs/acessiblemultifamilyhousing.pdf
First draft
Interior design for people of all ages and abilities
Min Hyung Lee
Nov, 17, 2007
Introduction
Most families, which have a handicapped person in their family, feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with them because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his maneuvering difficulties in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea, even in the school for the disabled. As our society ages, we need to think about this issues because almost of them have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, people struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors in their daily life. Therefore, government and communities need to consider the accessible design to help to get rid of physical obstacles for elderly and feeble people who have difficulties access public facilities.
What is universal design?
The designed world can not satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problem with the space we live in and the products we have used because designers are trained to design for average group of people considering human factors, however in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and human species are quite diverse. It is possible to design products or environment to suit wide range of users, including children, elderly, people with disabilities, people who are ill or injured. We can fully explain this theme as universal design. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design can considers human diversity in the real world and gives benefits to people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of expert developed the principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Public restroom
Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restroom, these requirements focus on just wheelchair users. Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups. According to Danise (2003),
Toilet with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restroom with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispenser located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Seating
Typically, wheelchair seating in theater, stadium, and other public places locates in the back or front side of the main place because more wide space needs to place wheelchair. So many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performance. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst place for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair enough for them. So, in terms of seating design, Danise (2003) study found the following:
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
Working place
Entrance and Exit
Conclusion
Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities in the real condition, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design. This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the built environment.
Min Hyung Lee
Nov, 17, 2007
Introduction
Most families, which have a handicapped person in their family, feel that the disabled are kept at a distance from society. I agree with them because I have a disabled nephew in my family. I can see his maneuvering difficulties in public spaces and also I can fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many laws regarding accessibility for the handicapped in Korea, the handicapped still have difficulties in daily life in Korea, even in the school for the disabled. As our society ages, we need to think about this issues because almost of them have some sort of functional limitation. Even though disabled people and seniors have rights to participate in society, people struggle with physical obstacles like stairs, narrow corridors, and doors in their daily life. Therefore, government and communities need to consider the accessible design to help to get rid of physical obstacles for elderly and feeble people who have difficulties access public facilities.
What is universal design?
The designed world can not satisfy everyone perfectly. We all have problem with the space we live in and the products we have used because designers are trained to design for average group of people considering human factors, however in fact this group does not exist in the real world. Every individual is unique and human species are quite diverse. It is possible to design products or environment to suit wide range of users, including children, elderly, people with disabilities, people who are ill or injured. We can fully explain this theme as universal design. According to the Center for Universal Design (2007), “Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design can considers human diversity in the real world and gives benefits to people of all ages and abilities.
Principles of Universal Design
According to the Center for Universal design, a group of expert developed the principles of Universal design in 1997:
Principle 1. Equitable Use
– The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse ability
Principle 2. Flexibility in Use
– The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Principle 3. Simple and Intuitive Use
– Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle 4. Perceptible Information
– The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
Principle 5. Tolerance for error
– The design minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended action.
Principle 6. Low Physical Effort
– The design can be used effectively and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue
Principle 7. Size and Space for approach and Use
– Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Public restroom
Even though many laws regarding accessibility have extensive requirements for public restroom, these requirements focus on just wheelchair users. Universal design expands these basic functional requests for wheelchair users to provide convenience and more flexible design to accommodate a wider range of user groups. According to Danise (2003),
Toilet with an adjustable height seat
Additional family style restroom with emergency alarm to provide parents the opportunity for assisting young children.
Well lit entry spaces for safety.
Disposable toilet seat covers from a dispenser mounted at a height reachable by all people.
Lavatory, soap and paper towel dispenser located inside a large toilet stall for convenience.
Seating
Typically, wheelchair seating in theater, stadium, and other public places locates in the back or front side of the main place because more wide space needs to place wheelchair. So many wheelchair users can’t enjoy performances or events from this location because they are blocked from seeing performance. Even though wheelchair users consider these seating are located at the worst place for them, they have to pay the highest ticket prices for wheelchair seating. I think it is not fair enough for them. So, in terms of seating design, Danise (2003) study found the following:
Accessible seating designed as an integral part of the seating plan so that people using wheel chairs are not isolated from family and friends.
Electric outlets located near wheelchair seats for recharging power chairs.
Seat with proper support systems to prevent fatigue.
Signs located throughout the facility to identify the most convenient routes to accessible seating area.
Working place
Entrance and Exit
Conclusion
Even though actually universal design can cover all ages and abilities in the real condition, there are many specific benefit of applying universal design. This thesis suggests many practical criteria for applying the principles of universal design to the design of the built environment.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
reflection (IEP course)
Reflection
Min Hyung Lee
During this semester, we had three main goals to achieve during this semester and there were many dynamic activities by using LMS and online chatting with classmates. It’s my first time to use computer system to learn English. We could access LMS any time whenever I want and we could do our group project by online chatting. I think this course was not only just in campus class but also it was out campus class.
First of all, we started this course with exact goals to achieve. I learned how I explain my artwork. I didn’t have any idea about artist statement because I didn’t have any artistic background before I came in here. Even though I didn’t have any experience about art, I tried to apply some criteria which are components for artist statement. And I could understand clearly what artist statement is through Professor Guggenheim’s lecture and presentation.
Other goals were research paper and thesis about the handicapped. I am interested in interior design for the disabled because I have a nephew with handicap in Korea. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and fully understand his family’s sorrow. So, I focused on universal design which is usable design for diverse ages and ability. Even though I didn’t know what American style academic paper is because we didn’t have any experience writing those papers in Korea, I was able to get ability to analyze each paragraph and I can write those papers grammatically through several revisions with teacher.
We spent much time to learn how we can prevent from plagiarism in academic paper during this semester. Teacher tried to teach exact ways to cite using APA style and what plagiarism is by so many different materials and different ways. These materials helped me clear to understand about citation and plagiarism. And I finished research paper and thesis through applying what I learned. I learned a lot through actual practice and several revisions with my teacher.
Even though I still have many writing problems in English like plural and singular nouns and articles, I think I developed my abilities to write academic writing through this course.
Min Hyung Lee
During this semester, we had three main goals to achieve during this semester and there were many dynamic activities by using LMS and online chatting with classmates. It’s my first time to use computer system to learn English. We could access LMS any time whenever I want and we could do our group project by online chatting. I think this course was not only just in campus class but also it was out campus class.
First of all, we started this course with exact goals to achieve. I learned how I explain my artwork. I didn’t have any idea about artist statement because I didn’t have any artistic background before I came in here. Even though I didn’t have any experience about art, I tried to apply some criteria which are components for artist statement. And I could understand clearly what artist statement is through Professor Guggenheim’s lecture and presentation.
Other goals were research paper and thesis about the handicapped. I am interested in interior design for the disabled because I have a nephew with handicap in Korea. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and fully understand his family’s sorrow. So, I focused on universal design which is usable design for diverse ages and ability. Even though I didn’t know what American style academic paper is because we didn’t have any experience writing those papers in Korea, I was able to get ability to analyze each paragraph and I can write those papers grammatically through several revisions with teacher.
We spent much time to learn how we can prevent from plagiarism in academic paper during this semester. Teacher tried to teach exact ways to cite using APA style and what plagiarism is by so many different materials and different ways. These materials helped me clear to understand about citation and plagiarism. And I finished research paper and thesis through applying what I learned. I learned a lot through actual practice and several revisions with my teacher.
Even though I still have many writing problems in English like plural and singular nouns and articles, I think I developed my abilities to write academic writing through this course.
reflection(thesis project)
Reflection (Thesis project)
Min Hyung Lee
I am interested in interior design for the disabled because I have a nephew with handicap in Korea. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many building codes and laws regarding accessibility for people who have functional limitation, they are still have difficulties in daily life. So, I wrote about adaptable residential design for mobility disabilities for research paper and I wanted to expand this idea in public space for all. So, I focused on usable design for diverse abilities and ages. It is universal design.
This thesis paper is my second academic writing in APA style. I tried to write this thesis without any problem in APA style, first. And I think thesis is much better than research paper because I didn’t have any mistakes to apply APA style and citation in this thesis.
In thesis paper, I tried to write each paragraph more grammatically and connect each other. When I read research paper, I feel I suggest some criteria in each paragraph but I didn’t make any connection with previous paragraph clearly. I think it is my big problem in my writing style. I tried to use connection word before I start each sentences.
When I write something in English, I think some sentences in Korean and I translate these sentences in English. Sometimes, native speaker can’t understand this expression because these sentences are influenced in Korean thinking. My teacher also pointed out this problem to me. And I always tried to explain detail in writing. It makes each sentence long and I was pointed out redundant from my classmates and teachers feedback. So I tried to avoid redundant in this thesis.
I think this experience which figured out plagiarism and wrote paper according to APA style will be very helpful for our academic achievement. I believe that I can write more improved research paper next time, based on this experience.
Min Hyung Lee
I am interested in interior design for the disabled because I have a nephew with handicap in Korea. I can see his difficulties maneuvering in public spaces and fully understand his family’s sorrow. Even though there are many building codes and laws regarding accessibility for people who have functional limitation, they are still have difficulties in daily life. So, I wrote about adaptable residential design for mobility disabilities for research paper and I wanted to expand this idea in public space for all. So, I focused on usable design for diverse abilities and ages. It is universal design.
This thesis paper is my second academic writing in APA style. I tried to write this thesis without any problem in APA style, first. And I think thesis is much better than research paper because I didn’t have any mistakes to apply APA style and citation in this thesis.
In thesis paper, I tried to write each paragraph more grammatically and connect each other. When I read research paper, I feel I suggest some criteria in each paragraph but I didn’t make any connection with previous paragraph clearly. I think it is my big problem in my writing style. I tried to use connection word before I start each sentences.
When I write something in English, I think some sentences in Korean and I translate these sentences in English. Sometimes, native speaker can’t understand this expression because these sentences are influenced in Korean thinking. My teacher also pointed out this problem to me. And I always tried to explain detail in writing. It makes each sentence long and I was pointed out redundant from my classmates and teachers feedback. So I tried to avoid redundant in this thesis.
I think this experience which figured out plagiarism and wrote paper according to APA style will be very helpful for our academic achievement. I believe that I can write more improved research paper next time, based on this experience.
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