fostering social equity through universal...

Landscape Structures, Inc. | Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access

Fostering Social

Equity through

Universal Design (S586)

John McConkey

Landscape Structures

Jordana Maisel, PhD

Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access

APA National Conference

April 2, 2016


Learning Objectives

Articulate the need for Universal Design

Define Universal Design

Describe the 8 Goals of Universal Design

Translate the Goals into practical applications in park and play

spaces

Describe how social equity and UD Goals are critical to the long

term success of parks

Transfer Universal Design knowledge to your own design work

1

2

3

4

5

6


Changing Demographics

There are over one billion people with disabilities in the world, and between 110-190 million people experience very significant difficulties. This equals about 15% of the world's population. ~World Health Organisation 2011

54 million Americans - 19% of the non-institutionalized population - suffer from a physical or cognitive disability. ~ BraunAbility 2011

Of the 53.9 million school-age children 5 to 17 in the U.S., about 2.8 million were reported as having a disability in 2010. ~US Census Bureau 2010

In the U.S., the 65 and older population will more than double by 2050, rising from 39 million to 89 million. ~US Census Bureau 2009

In the United States, about 40% of grandparents currently provide child care for their grandchildren and another 19% have done so in the past. ~National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies, 2008


“In the context of an environment or society that takes little or no account of impairment,

people’s activities can be limited and their social participation restricted.

People are therefore disabled by the society they live in, not directly by their

impairment.”

Pullin, G. (2009). Design Meets Disability


Barriers


Blockades


Channeling Channeling


Communication


What is Universal Design?


Universal design…

- benefits everyone

- can evolve from AT

- can evolve from ergonomic design

- does not replace the need for AT

- involves an evolutionary approach

- no end state

- process oriented

Universal design is not…

- accessible design

- assistive technology (AT)

- barrier-free design

- merely about function – prosthetics

- only for people with disabilities


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 (Mace, 1985)

Early Definition of Universal Design


An Expanded Focus


Universal design is a process that enables and empowers a

diverse population by improving human performance, health

and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel,

2012)

Universal design makes life easier, healthier, and friendlier for a

diverse population

New Definition of Universal Design


Beneficiaries of UD

Children: safety and security

Adults: reducing stress

Older adults: support for independence

People with disabilities: independent function

People of varied size, stature, and

sensitivities: Very tall and very short, left

handed, chemically sensitive, etc.

Non-physical characteristics: Income,

gender, cultural, and educational differences

Victims of disaster and conflict


The 8 Goals of Universal Design

1. Body Fit

2. Comfort

3. Awareness

4. Understanding

5. Wellness

6. Social Integration

7. Personalization

8. Cultural Appropriateness


Human Performance

• Body Fit

• Comfort

• Awareness

• Understanding

Health and Wellness • Wellness

Social Participation

• Social Integration

• Personalization

• Cultural Appropriateness

Universal design is a

process that enables

and empowers a

diverse population by

improving human

performance, health

and wellness, and

social participation.

UD GOALS

DEFINITION


ADA in Parks – 25 Years Later


ADA in Parks


We need to move beyond ADA to

embrace Universal Design and

include “The End User” when

designing our community spaces

to allow everyone to be included!


It is a right, not just a privilege, for people

nationwide to have safe healthful access

to parks and recreation. ~ NRPA.org

Disability and Social Equity


Encourage multi-generational interactions

Promote a sense of safety

Strive for healthy lifestyles

Utilize Goals of Universal Design

Social Equity and Universal Design


BODY FIT GOAL

1 Accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities (Human Performance)

Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antonio, TX


BODY FIT GOAL

1 General guidelines for the

application of anthropometric data:

1. Design for the extremes

2. Design for choice

3. Design for the average with

accommodations

4. Break with precedent

Play 4 All: Williston, ND


BODY FIT GOAL

1


Keeping demands within desirable limits of body function (Human

Performance)

COMFORT GOAL

2


General guidelines for the application

of biomechanics:

1. Reduce unnecessary and

potentially harmful movements

2. Reduce unnecessary operating

forces

3. Reduce effort required for lifting

4. Design to maintain balance

COMFORT GOAL

2


Balance

RISK

and

SAFETY

COMFORT GOAL

2


COMFORT GOAL

2


Perception is the process of

interpreting information we

receive through our senses.

Ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived (Human Performance)

AWARENESS GOAL

3


AWARENESS GOAL

3 General guidelines for designing to

support perception:

1. Clarify important information

sources

2. Reduce the impact of noise

3. Provide a rich multisensory

experience

4. Provide appropriate stimulation

for the setting


AWARENESS GOAL

3


Making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, and

unambiguous (Human Performance)

UNDERSTANDING GOAL

4


General guidelines for designing to

support cognition:

1. Incorporate perceived affordances

2. Utilize well-known conceptual

models

3. Support construction of accurate

mental maps

4. Incorporate features that lead to

positive emotional responses

UNDERSTANDING GOAL

4


UNDERSTANDING GOAL

4


Contributing to health promotion, avoidance of disease, and

preventing injury (Health and Wellness)

WELLNESS GOAL

5


Guidelines for designing for health

and wellness:

1. Support policy efforts related

to health and wellness

2. Identify appropriate access

solutions based on

affordability

3. Plan for short and long term

4. Practice evidence-based

design

WELLNESS GOAL

5


Treating all groups with dignity and respect (Social Participation)

SOCIAL INTEGRATION GOAL

6



6 Guidelines for designing

opportunities for social participation:

1. Support human performance

issues in social interactions

2. Include furniture arrangement

that supports social needs

3. Provide socialization space

around functional services

4. Implement design participation

strategies


Provide a

continuum of

public to

semipublic to

personal spaces


6


Incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of

individual preferences (Social Participation)

PERSONALIZATION GOAL

7


Guidelines for designing for

individual needs:

1. Ensure that individuals have

access to personal territory

2. Provide mechanisms to

regulate privacy

3. Design for choice

PERSONALIZATION GOAL

7


CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS GOAL

8 Respecting and reinforcing cultural values and the social and

environmental context of any design project (Social Participation)



8 Guidelines for designing culturally

sensitive spaces:

1. Ensure designs support climate

conditions and the local physical

environment

2. Provide designs that are

contextually suitable for the site

(i.e., historically, culturally, etc.)



8


Play 4 All Playground: Williston, ND

Lessons Learned from the Field


Thank you!


Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental Access School of Architecture & Planning

State University of New York at Buffalo

114 Diefendorf Hall| 3435 Main Street

Buffalo, NY 14214 – 3087

+1 (716) 829.5902

[email protected]

http://idea.ap.buffalo.edu

http://facebook.com/ideacenterUB

@IDeA_Center

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Landscape Structures 601 7th Street South

Delano, Minnesota 55328

+1 (763) 972.5348

[email protected]

https://www.playlsi.com

http://facebook.com/PlayLSI

@playlsi

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