Educating Designers and Design

Educators about Universal Design

Roberta L. Null, Ph.D. Joy K. Potthoff, Ed.D., ASID

Common Place Design NCIDQ Certification
Associate Professor, Interior Design
Whittier, California
Bowling Green State University

Margaret H. Teaford, Ph.D. Sandra Sundermeier, CPA

Assistant Professor Universal Design Advocate
School of Allied Medical Professions Bowling Green, Ohio
Ohio State University
Universal Design

Roberta Null, Ph.D.

Common Place Design
Whittier, CA

Arlena Hines
Lansing Community College, MI
(Powerpoint Presentation)
Universal Design
 Universal Design

Universal Design
is design for all
people
Four General Principles of
Universal Design

1. Supportive
2. Adaptable
3. Accessible
4. Safe
Universal Design is Supportive

It makes the environment work for

the individual, stressing ease of
use & maintenance.
 Universal Design

Easy to use :
· Child’s hand
with faucet
 Universal Design

Example:
· Easy to use,
smooth surface,
and also makes it
easy to care for.
· Faucet
 Adaptable

Universal Design is adaptable.

It serves a wide range of users

whose needs change over time.
 Universal Design
Example:
· From GE. “Real Life”
(electronically)
adjustable kitchen sink
cabinet shown
at highest level.

· Note: Raised
placement of
dishwasher.
 Universal Design

· From GE.
“Real Life”
kitchen sink at
lower level.
 Accessible

The everyday comforts and

conveniences that “Normal”
individuals enjoy are
provided to all people.
 Universal Design

“No Step”
Entrance -
California home
of Ruby Trow
that was
designed
15 years ago.
Universal Design
 Universal Design

Accessible Bed in
wall – Closed

San Francisco
Hotel guest room
Universal Design

Easy to use
Bed open
 Universal Design

Accessible
· Elevator at end
of hallway –
· private home,
San Diego,
California.
Universal Design
-Low threshold

-Roll in shower

-Important for all

interior doors
 Universal Design
Shower in Buuck home

User can slide along

built in bench to reach
shower area

Glass block adds light to

interior bath
 Universal Design

Easy to use

Kohler Comfort
Height Toilet
Universal Design

· Accessible
· Arjo Freedom
Bath”
· Open
 Universal Design

· Accessible
· Arjo Freedom
Bath”
· Closed
Universal Design

Adaptable

Bocci Adjustable
magnifying
mirror
 Universal Design

· Honeywell
Thermostat

· Easy to use
 Universal Design

Asco front loading

washer & dryer.
 Universal Design

Easy to use
Accessible

Combination
washer & dryer.
 Safe
Universal design is safe.

It not only provides environments and

tools for the presently disabled, but
actually anticipates and prevents disabilities
such as repetitive strain injuries, back
problems, and those caused by accidents.
 Universal Design

An enlarged
chair rail (back
wall) provides
support
Universal Design

Safe

Front controls on
Range for elderly
housing
 Universal Design

Soft bathtub
(also warm to
touch)
 Universal Design

Details of
soft bath tub.
 Universal Design

Decorative grab
bars in a senior
housing facility.
 Universal Design

Shower in senior
housing facility

No step entrance
 Universal Design

Inexpensive
sturdy
grab bars
Universal Design
Universal Design
Universal Design
Universal Design
Universal Design
 Accessibility Awareness

Through teaching the concepts of Universal Design

and the requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) codes it became clear to this
Interior Design educator that the collaboration of a
consultant with disabilities was crucial. In the late
1990’s Sandra Sundermeier, who has multiple
sclerosis (MS), volunteered to participate as a
consultant to students in the Interior Design program
at Bowling Green State University.
 Accessibility Awareness

She has collaborated with students on many projects

including:
 Individual residential homes and two nursing
homes for adults with Mental Retardation and
Learning Disabilities (MR&LD)
 2006 ASID Student Design Competition which
required students to design a health spa
specifically for clients with MS
 Work with Kate Burnham, Holly Harbaugh and
Melanie Krebs on their poster display presented
at the “Universal Design: Lifespan Collaborative
Strategies” exhibit at the University of Southern
California
 Accessibility Awareness

Sandra is dedicated to making students and public aware

of the many and varied accessibility issues related to
decreased mobility. She has taught the students and
myself invaluable lessons about the need for Universal
Design in both the interior and exterior built environment.
In our presentation we will discuss this ongoing
collaboration and show you some of the student’s design
work.
 The Maze

 Retail Stores
 Just because I can’t walk doesn’t mean that I can’t
think
· When I’m shopping, don’t ignore me, you never
know how much money I have!
· Don’t put racks of clothing so close together
that I can’t get through--I feel like a mouse in a
maze and I can’t find my way out.
 The Maze
 Retail Stores
· Put wheelchairs/electric scooters/walkers near
entrances so that I don’t have to “walk” to the middle
of the mall to borrow a scooter.
· How are disabled individuals supposed to get to the
designated area to borrow the assistance aids? Their
helpers can get them? What if they are elderly? Are
the helpers supposed to leave the disabled individual
alone while they secure the walker?

Designers should put themselves in the “seat” or

shoes of the disabled community before making
decisions that affect them.
Accessibility Awareness
 It’s a Long Way from Here!
 When you put in handicapped parking spaces, please put
them close to the building’s entrance, not just where they
will look nice.
· Remember that some people have a hard time getting
around, but are not to the point of using a wheelchair.
If you’re having trouble walking, then you probably
can’t do steps, and don’t need the extra exercise.
· Put curb cuts in convenient places, don’t make us go
down to the end of the building to get into the door.
 When you see me coming, hold open the door for me,
don’t wait until you see me struggle with the door for
several minutes before you offer to help.
· Better yet, put in automatic door openers so that I can
maintain my independence.
Accessibility Awareness
 Everyone’s Got to Go!

 In handicap restrooms, please make

sure that they are equipped so that
most physically challenged individuals
can use them - as independently as
possible!
 Leave the handicapped stalls for those
who need them.
Accessibility Awareness
Jessica Rusch
Designer
Jessica Rusch
Designer
Jessica Rusch
Designer
Jessica Rusch
Designer
Jessica Rusch
Designer
Lauren Kleine
Designer
Lauren Kleine
Designer
Lauren Kleine
Designer
Lauren Kleine
Designer
Lauren Kleine
Designer
Accessibility For All
Accessibility For All
Educating Allied Health and Interior Design
Students About Universal Design

Margaret H. Teaford, Ph.D.

The Ohio State University
Students in the allied health field often encounter some information
about home modifications as part of their study of rehabilitation,
but their view is limited to providing equipment or adding grab bars
or handrails to the home. They may have heard about Universal
Design, but have not considered how it could help able-bodied
children and adults. Likewise, interior design students have been
introduced to Universal Design and how it can be incorporated into
housing in an attractive way. But they know little about the physical
limitations of both children and older adults that make working and
living in today’s housing environments so difficult. An
interdisciplinary class taught by faculty in interior design and
occupational therapy has brought these two student groups
together to learn from each other.
The presentation will address class
readings and assignments as well as
field trips and community workshops
that have enhanced their experiences.
Course evaluations will highlight what
they have learned together about
Universal Design and how they have
been able to apply that knowledge to
real-life home assessments for
families living in the community.
 Introduction
· Students in physical and occupational
therapy study about home modifications
when addressing rehabilitation of patients
who are planning to return home after
hospitalization
· Likewise, students in interior design are
exposed to Universal Design in their
classes
 Problem

· Both groups of students have limited view

of what Universal Design can actually do
· Students in allied health view it as help for
elderly and disabled
· Students in interior design likewise view it
as part of Americans with Disabilities Act
implementation
· Neither sees it as part of lifespan
development
 Interdisciplinary Class

· Case studies on kitchen and

bathroom
· Field trips to see actual examples
· Conduct community workshops
· Students also conduct home
assessments and report back their
findings to homeowners
 Class Field Trips

· We visited a local home that had been

renovated last summer to allow a
resident to return home from a nursing
home
· Second field trip was to see Universal
Design exhibit at Farm Science Review;
which includes educational exhibit and
a bathroom and kitchen
UD Kitchen sponsored by Lowe’s which will be featured in
the January Issue of Creative Ideas
UD Bathroom by Dave Fox Remodeling
 Workshops

· The students are trained to work in

interdisciplinary teams to conduct
community workshops on universal design
· This gives them a chance to plan and
implement a workshop along with faculty
· Workshops are offered at churches, senior
centers, retail outlets, and at Ohio State’s
Farm Science Review center.
 Home Assessments

· Students teams representing each

discipline conduct two home assessments
· Prior to visit, gather information from
homeowner about any problems
· Complete evaluation form and analyze
the home
· Prepare report with suggested changes,
products, and costs
 Conclusions

· Students gain a better

understanding of Universal Design
through these hands-on activities
· They also have a better
understanding of another discipline
and how they can work together to
provide improved services to the
public