Top 10 Lists & General Lists

Travel time is upon us and there is much about travel that is not very universally designed. These are a few things to consider prior to travel that should make your trip easier whether you are traveling alone, with kids, a pet, an elderly parent, or having to consider the needs of someone with a disability.

Planning Ahead

If you are not one of the able-bodied that our world designs for, you’ll want to plan ahead and think through all the steps to get from your front door to the door of

Hurricane Irene hit a sawth of country not normally accustomed to disaster on a large sacle. Furtunately it turned out a bit less worse that expected. But say, how did you do? While it is fresh in your mind, what did you prepare for well and what left you with a struggle to overcome?

Read this old blog called Emergency Planning for a refresher.

Also, post your comments: what tips would you share to be better prepared when the next large scale emergency strikes.

This article comes full circle to end where it began, with universal design. When designing for the full spectrum of life, universal design is most easily and inexpensively accomplished at the onset, not mid-way or as a retrofit. When building or modifying a home, one can do much to make the challenges of winter simpler and more manageable. Use the following list to help guide your designs at the planning stages of construction.

New Home Construction

• As a general guideline, make your ho

The best design for getting around during the season of snow and ice is to set yourself up so that your mobility is as safe and easy as possible. For starters, try not to be out and about when conditions are treacherous. This means having what you need before the bad weather strikes (see the section on preparation). If you must go out, allow extra time – no rushing or mad dashes; go slower and with added mindfulness. Travel during daylight, not at night. Give snow and ice removal services

How to do a top-ten list for assistive technology? First, I wanted the list to reflect a universal design focus. Next, I wanted the technology to be new and presently available; I considered not just a technology’s use but also its wider social impact (I know, I am missing some really great products – another list). To prioritize the list would be challenging and to loose focus that it isn’t popularity, influence, availability or innovation, it’s about inclusivity. Finall

We know the emergency prep basics but what would make them more universal design? The short answer is, not much. If you have a universal design environment, you’re in good shape. Where emergency planning might be more universal design is in its thorough application and in you actually being prepared.

Emergency preparedness is like flossing: we know what it is and how to do it, but, we don’t. My favorite guideline for flossing is this, floss only the teeth you want to keep. Emergency

For most Americans, driving is the primary access to a world beyond our doors. It gets us to work, it gets the kids to school, it helps us shop, go to worship and socialize. When driving isn’t an option, chances are you just entered a different world called isolation.

The automobile is amazing and highly effective. We can afford them, and it serves us all pretty well. A large number of physical limitations do not affect our ability to drive, as a result we continue to be mobile. So, what

With forethought and planning, you can recognize and then optimize the ability to enjoy life, reduce chances of hospitalization or institutionalization, and continue independent living. This might be for yourself or for someone you care for such as a parent, spouse or sibling. Consider this endeavor as meaningful as having a life savings and a fully paid mortgage.

Where To Begin:

• Start with an overview: Are there changes in physical or mental health? What medications are being taken, and as

A blog was written, The Best Return on Home Improvements. “Oooo!” I emphatically exclaimed, anxious to read about maximizing the value of my home. If you notice, I was hooked by an opportune distraction from my work. As I read the top 10 tips, I felt as if I was reading about universal design. Clean it up. Get rid of the clutter and the old and worn. Increase light. Fix broken things. Patch floors and walls. In brief, have it work and have it look nice. That’s a great starting

Are you 55 or older? What would be the simple improvements to make your home get you another ten years of usability?

AARP does annual surveys to assess the desire to age in place, and the means which people are employing to do so. This annual survey, in its fifth year, looked at who made what improvements and what was the benefit. 70% did at least one modification that made it easier to live at home. Half of them believe the simple modification will make living at home longer possible, adding a

I recently received a call from someone seeking building specifications for universal design. She wanted to know heights, distances, widths, brightness, etc. I humbly told her that I’m not the spec guy. Those are codes and in the USA, codes are local, very local. Not only do you want to meet your local laws, you want to insure that every area of compliance has been covered. This often includes local ordinances specific to community developments, neighborhoods and even block associations an

Decreasing the time spent taking care of your home and increasing the time your home takes care of you.

According to a survey conducted by the AARP, 89 percent of people older than 50 wish to remain at home, rather than move to other housing options. The question not being asked is how do you make this possible? At what point does your home hinder you rather than serve you?

I’m a home improvement nut. My idea of exercise is digging a 20' trench and installing an 8” culvert …

“I did not know that!” There are many steps one takes toward becoming a universal design environment and many are as simple as a trip to the store or a few simple changes in the home. Many are common-sense improvements which contribute to your home working with greater ease.

• Increase light output by using highest wattage bulb allowed by manufacturer; have two-bulb fixtures as often as possible and you will still have light even when one bulb burns out.
• Create a place where you ca