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We'll include information on Universal Design and Visitability here you can download and print to use for a UD and Visitability workshop. Anyone wishing to add to what we'll have please send to info@accessibilitynews.ca. Please also check the Resources section of this website for links to more on this topic.
On the other hand those interested to learn more about how funding for projects like these are managed and set up could refer to financing websites like Love Money.
Date posted to site: September 12, 2006
This standard addresses Accessibility requirements for the design and construction of new facilities, as well as the retrofit, alteration or addition to existing facilities, owned, leased or operated by the City of London. This standard particularly addresses the needs of persons with disabilities, including, but not limited to, persons with a mobility impairment, hearing impairment, visual impairment, cognitive impairment, persons who are deaf-blind and persons with limited stamina and/or dexterity.
This standard is intended to
encompass the intent of the Ontario
Human Rights Code, in terms of
respecting the dignity of persons
with disabilities. "The phrase
'respects their dignity' means to act
in a manner which recognizes the
privacy, confidentiality, comfort,
autonomy and self-esteem of
persons with disabilities, which
maximizes their integration and
which promotes full participation
in society."
(Ontario Human Rights
Commission)
This standard incorporates the belief
in universal design that recognizes
the broad diversity of people who
use facilities. Universal design is
defined as:
"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."
The universal design philosophy is structured around the seven design principles listed below. (Refer to Appendix A for further information on the universal design principles and their guidelines.)
This standard reflects minimum dimensional criteria required for adult persons. Prior to the design stage of a project, special consideration should be given to the function of the facility and the patrons who will use it. A review and upgrade of this standard may be required in some instances, particularly if a facility is designed primarily for the use of a particular type of user, such as children or older persons.
Where conflicts exist between scoping and/or dimensional requirements of this standard and legislation enacted by the federal or provincial governments', the most accommodating requirements shall apply (i.e. the requirement(s) that will result in the most accommodating environment but never less than the minimum requirements of the current Ontario Building Code).
The Facilities Design and Construction Division of the City of London shall review and/or update this standard every 3-5 years, to reflect technological advancement and new construction practices, as well as changes to the barrier-free design requirements of various codes and standards such as the Ontario Building Code and the CSA Standard B651 - Accessible Design for the Built Environment.
This standard recognizes the concept of equivalent facilitation as a means to encourage new and innovative design ideas and solutions. Departures from particular technical and scoping requirements of this standard by the use of other designs and technologies are encouraged when the alternatives will provide substantially equivalent or greater access to the usability of the element and/or facility. Design departures from information provided and referenced in this standard should be carefully assessed to determine the validity of the application and may require review by a committee appointed for this purpose by the Facilities Design and Construction Division of The City of London.
To read the full document in pdf format complete with images, go to http://www.accessibility.london.ca. This document is very large (over 4 megabytes) and will take a long time to download on a dial up connection. You can also download a text only version (no images) at 2006_facility_design_standards.txt.
Date posted to site: July 16, 2005
Edited and compiled by Linda Crabtree,
Universal Design - definition: the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extend possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design
The Principles of Universal Design were conceived and developed by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University.
Copyright 1997 NC State University, the Centre for Universal Design
If you use this article, please credit the above for the principles of UD
an introduction by Linda Crabtree
Ever heard of Universal Design? Perhaps you've heard of it but can't figure out how it differs from barrier-free. Well, don't be too hard on yourself. If you're familiar with barrier-free, you're halfway there. Barrier-free is usually something done to accommodate someone with mobility impairment after the fact. Barriers are removed and ramps put in, doorways and halls widened. Making something barrier-free can be expensive because you are tearing out and changing things. Universal Design is a concept whereby you take barrier free many steps further and make what is designed (and it can be a page of text, a bottle, a building, a pair of pants) useful for as many people as possible, disabled or not, right from the beginning.
UD is defined as "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." It is an evolving design philosophy that can apply to the creation of all environments, products and services, which challenges designers to maximize the usability and marketability of their creations through recognizing the diversity of end users... you and me.
Do you know that just about everything is designed for a normal male in his 30s, approximately six feet tall?...an everyman. When in fact, we are short and tall, fat and thin, male and female, young and old, strong and weak, walking or seated, the list goes on. We are everyone. Is it any wonder that, for some, bathtubs are too deep, shelves, windows, light switches and thermostats too high and cupboards too high or low and electrical outlets too low or out of reach? Appliances can be too high or broad or heavy or large for women to use and who uses them more than women. Bottles, jars, cans and plastic packaging can be impossible for some people to open. Think of the childproof cap on your next drug prescription bottle. Many a normal child has likely managed to take that cap off but it has probably stopped thousands of adults with arthritis or weak hands from taking their medication. A pharmacist will send you out your prescription in a simple vial that is not child-proof if you request it.
The concept of Universal Design promotes inclusion, meaning everyone all the time, and it is based on a series of seven design principles compiled by a working group of ten architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers led by the late Ron Mace during the 1990s. We'll explore these in depth in the next section. For example: you know those wonderful large grip garden shears you love to use because they are so comfortable and your husband can use as well even though he's left-handed? Well, that's a good example of Universal Design and the bottom line is ways of making environments and things universally accessible for everyone, of making signage understandable to everyone, of making the world easier for everyone. And, it is beginning to be looked at seriously by good designers everywhere, for it means no steps backward to redo things that can't be used...it saves money, time and energy right from the get-go simply by applying the right principles in the first place.
And, Universal Design is going to be even more important in the future as Bill 118, the Accessibility for Ontarions with Disabilities Act - 2005 was passed on parliament in Ontario on May 10, 2005. In time, it will affect the private sector and all public buildings will have to be accessible. No one wants to waste money using outdated technology. Architecture that doesn't incorporate Universal Design is outdated now. Why build a building that will have to be renovated to accommodate in the future when the law mandates it. Why not do it right in the first place?
Some questions:
Where does Universal Design apply? Everywhere. If this is too broad a range to comprehend, think of the built environment including buildings and sidewalks; products including everything from toilet paper holders to airplanes and systems including communications, customer service, maintenance, and anything political including your city council and this committee and all schools.
Who should be considered? Everyone - Universal Design is design for all: young, old, people with abilities and disabilities including the lack of physical abilities such as walking, agility and speech; sensory abilities such as sight and hearing and cognitive abilities such as mental and developmental impairment. Hidden disabilities.
Keep in mind that those who can walk, talk, think well, use their hands, eyes and ears will ALSO use Universal Design. It is designing for all.
What should be considered?
Function: Function of people...their abilities which include grasping, reaching, moving, speaking, hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, tasting, learning, memorizing, comprehending, concentrating, calculating, anticipating, initiating, reacting, tolerating, growing, communicating, socializing, acquiring and depending on your disability you can likely come up with more. I have very weak hands and wrists and cannot lift my legs so I'll add lifting, turning, standing, sitting, lying down, squatting and bending which I suppose could be in the moving category. You can likely think of others that pertain to you.
How do you personally fit in with Universal Design?
We are all somewhere in the 22+ measures of human ability given above at any given time. Devices made for humans accommodate and enhance human abilities and assist us. Assistive devices are everything from dishwashers to cars, elevators, escalators, eyeglasses, hearing aids, microphones, telephones, cell phones, pens, pencils, wheelchairs and scooters, walkers, orthotics and prosthetics.... all assistive devices.
What's the difference between an electric scooter and a car? You sit in it, it moves you. It reflects your need to move distances when you are either mobility impaired or cannot humanly move that far in any acceptable time frame. One is a sign of pride, the other a sign of disability. Why? Attitude. Then look at the continuum. Manual wheelchair to electric wheelchair to electric scooter to two seater mobility device to iBOT to golf cart to tiny Smart Car to adapted van and Chrysler Cruiser to ordinary car and van. Using Universal Design mobility devices are for everyone including people with disabilities. There should be no stigma attached to using a wheelchair just as there is no stigma attached to using a car but there is. Society doesn't see the broader picture.
copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design
1) Equitable Use - The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities -
Guidelines: Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible, equivalent when not.
Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any user
Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users.
Make the design appealing to all users
Examples: door handle that extend from top to bottom on refrigerator; drinking fountains side by side but varying heights; single grade level enteance usable by anyone; automatic powered doors (below); elevator and escalator beside one another; stairs and ramp beside one another; just a ramp (everyone can use it); billboard sized captioned video screen at public events allows hearing-impaired attendees to sit anywhere; diaper-change station in men's washroom challenges stereotype of mother's only baby care; family-style washrooms challenge stereotype that sexes must be separated and allows access for any family member who may need assistance by any other person who assists; door length mirror.
2) Flexibility in Use - The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
Guidelines: Provide choice in methods of use,
accommodate right- or left-handed access and use; facilitate the user's accuracy and precision;
provide adaptability to the users pace.
Examples: Those pruning shears or large grip scissors I spoke about previously; a choice on your computer of using keys or pictures to command; adjustable work stations that give you the choice of standing or sitting; a ramp and stairs into a building give you a choice; a built-in seat in a shower, a hand-held shower head and grab bars give you a choice to be seated or stand while showering; railings on both sides of stairs or a ramp give you safety and can be used with left or right hand whether going up or down; double leaf door gives you a choice of using right or left hand; big button telephone keys make it easier for people who on;t see well, hurry through the process or lack dexterity; distinctive store entrances make it easier for visitors to locate from parking area; speed controls on dictation machines make it possible for the transcriber to work at his/her own pace. Others you can think of:
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 levels.
Guidelines: eliminate unnecessary complexity; be consistent with user expectations and intuition; accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills; arrange information consistent with its importance; provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
Examples: Airport signage, highway signage, ATM; distinctive packaging; power seat controls that mimic the shape of the seat enabling driver to make adjustments intuitively; TV remote controls; assembly instructions to put together furniture eliminating use for language; large memory dial buttons on telephone in prominent location; your TV set up system; your microwave panel; your computer gives you feedback continually.
Others:
4) Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
Guidelines: Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant representation of essential information; maximize legibility of essential information; differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e. make it easy to give instructions or directions); provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.
Examples: appliance manufacturers provide instructions on large print, braille and audio cassette format; large print with contrasting colour background; floor and walls contrasting colours; audio plugs and jacks colour coded; water fountains in hotel lobby provides visual and auditory reference point from which to direct visitors or by which visitors can orient themselves; program captioning on TV; public phone compatible wih hearing aids and TTY; text only options on internet web sites.Others:
5) Tolerance for Error - The design minimizes the hazards and adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
Guidelines: arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors; most used elements, most accessible, hazardous elements eliminated, isolated or shielded; provide warnings of hazards and errors; provide fail safe features; discourages unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance
Examples: The undo button under edit on your computer; warnings on your computer of consequences if you do something; lip or curb at side of ramp helps avoid driving off; shield or guard on knife or bagel cutter; strong graphic warnings on escalators warning parents of potential hazards to children; electric scooter shuts off automatically after 4 minutes of non-use thus eliminating failed battery; unique configuration of cable terminals on computer makes plugging the wrong thing in almost impossible. Your ideas?
6) Low Physical Effort - The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
Guidelines: allow user to maintain a neutral body position, use reasonable operating forces, minimize repetitive actions and minimize sustained physical effort.
Examples: lever handles; split keyboard for computer; electric garage door opener; extra big openers on microwaves; large, soft pens with easy flow ink; voice recognition technology; TV remote; Velcro; free-rolling casters on chairs, commodes, luggage; rest stops in malls.
Your ideas?
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.
Guidelines: provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user; make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user; accommodate variation in hand and grip size; provide adequate space for use of assistive devices, personal assistants and special skills
Examples:
Lowered counter heights at reception desks and nurses stations or varying heights; pot drawers in kitchen; vending machines at various heights; coin return slots at varying heights; freezer at bottom or top of refrigerator; open loop door handles accommodate hands of all sizes; double railings allow a person to hold on with hand or arm; looped handle chopping knife can be used with either hand - one or both; wide hallways; wide doors allow for ample space to manoeuver wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and strollers.
How can you make a difference?
Advocate: As a member of an accessibility committee, you have the ability to speak to people and you can advocate on the use of Universal Design. Once you have a firm grasp of what it is - you can ask that Universal Design be used when any new public building is built, for public housing, when any new building permit is issued be it for a commercial complex, an apartment building and eventually even a private home if the concept of visitability ever becomes law.
You can personally make a difference by fostering good working relationships . Any resistance is soon overcome if you can list some very simple things that can be done to make a building or a standard or a policy accessible from the get-go. It may be no steps at the entrance or large clear type on a sign or contract or something as simple as an extra large parking spot but never think you know it all...Universal Design evolves as our understanding of human nature and function changes. Don't guess on any detail. Use the most up to date references you can find. Help initiate change by helping to make standards that reflect changing times, not the status quo. Check the books and do the homework. A lack of detail or the correct detail can change a building from an accessible one to one that is not user friendly. We all know about slippery doorknobs and heavy doors and weatherstripping lips on doors that keep out wheelchairs, lips on showers that keep out people wanting to simply bathe. Think in motion. How does a person move? How does a person using a wheelchair or scooter move? How much space do they need to get out of their carm open a door, move through a hallway, reach a door and open it, get behind a desk or table, reach a light switch or plug in a charger? How does a person who is blind move and how does that differ from one who is visually impaired? Think of the person and their mobility device and/or caregiver and/or assist animal as a whole. How much room does the entire package need to get around.
Beware of sabotage - Universal Design may have been used but you can't make people use common sense or think. Doors can be locked and automatic doors can be left off, even push button doors go off when the alarm systems are functional when a building is locked up for the night. If they are not put on the next morning you can go to the door outside, push the button and nothing happens. This occurs often at restaurants. Staff are not required to check the doors every morning. It should be part of their designated task. A restaurant in St. Catharines has spent the money on a double set of automatic doors. Often they are no turned on. Even a letter doesn't seem to impress upon them that this is the only way in for folks using mobility devices. A local Avondale has automatic doors. They were out of commission for almost two years. It didn't seem to matter to the people who own the franchise that there was a March of Dimes building around the corner housing close to 20 people using wheelchairs. These people couldn't get into the Avondale without waiting for someone to come along to open the door. The nonverbal customers had an even rougher time.
Plants, planters or standing ashtrays placed in front of door opener buttons.
Flower arrangements placed in front of front desks in hotels.
Architects working for developers can design accessible walkways but if the curbcuts don't link up you have to go out into the road to reach the next curbcut. Curbcuts in front of parking spots don't work. Using a ramp as a place to pile snow from steps is sabotage. An accessible washroom used to store boxes of paper products is sabotage just as a wastepaper basket so large that you can't turn around in the washroom is sabotage. Poor maintenance of devices used to implement Universal Design is sabotage e.g. automatic and strobe operated door left out of order for months, doors too heavy to open and never fixed, automatic faucets broken for months, light bulbs or tubes not changed when they go out so lighting is poor in areas where lighting must be good. Painting walls the same colour as the floor.
Having planters and signstands out where they can be tripped over. Using highly polished floor material which causes glare and fear. The list is endless. Can you think of some that pertain to you and your disability?
We have an aging population: people over 65 can't think see or hear as well as the used to. Fifty-two per cent have some kind of disability, 33% have a severe disability. (Industry Canada)
About 22% of adult Canadians 16 years and over fall in the lowest level of literacy. They have serious difficulty dealing with printed materials and most likely identify themselves as having difficulty reading; another 24-26% fall in the second lowest level. They can only deal with material that is simple, clearly laid out and contain tasks that are not too complex. They read but not well. (IALS 1996) Together, this group makes up almost half of the population. Universal Design incorporates words and pictures so the message is intuitive. Also, simple language translates more easily into other languages. Plain language is easier to read, reduces ambiguity, speeds reading and improves automated translation. KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid - is the way to go here.
There are 3.4 million people with access-impacting disabilities in Canada. People with disabilities can have problems accessing technology because of their disability. Make it easy and everyone can use it.
In the top ten countries in the world according to population: China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore - 113.4 million people are colour blind. Most are men. Don't rely on colour to direct or relate meaning such as making something important on a document stand out in red as red and black can look the same, too many people aren't able to discern colour.
Five hundred to six hundred million people can't read. Text-to-Speech Synthesis provides access to people who cannot read. Many reasons that people can't read include no opportunity to learn to brain injury, etc. Text to speech is less expensive than digitized speech and has a human-like quality in a person's own dialect and minimum maintenance. See resources for website to visit.
A national effort (U.S.A.) to make all new homes visitable. If you use a wheelchair scooter or walker and have wanted to visit someone in their home but couldn't because their home's entrance had a flight of steps that would stop a billy goat, you know why the concept of Visitability is a natural.
This is a movement to change home construction practices so that virtually all new homes, whether designated for residents who currently have disabilities or not, offer a few specific features that make the home easier for people who develop mobility impairment to live in and visit. There are some lovely townhouses at 58 Glendale Ave., in St. Catharines where you'll see that every one of them is smoothly and attractively ramped. A ramp is an easy way for everyone to get in and out of a home. It doesn't exclude anyone. These townhouses sell in the $300,000 range and are snapped up by seniors wanting to scale down from a large home and provide themselves with a place where they can stay for the rest of their lives...disabled or not.
While some of the features of Visitability would be flexible, the three rigid Visitability features are: wide passage doors, at least a half bath on the main floor and at least one zero-step entrance. With these three requirements built into new homes, many more people with disabilities would be able to age in place without moving when they become disabled and allow friends and loved ones who are also disabled to visit them in their homes. They can also visit their neighbours; something prohibited in most subdivisions and townhouse projects because the only accessible unit is the one where the person with the disability lives All of the other units in the project have steps.
This workpaper on Universal Design by Linda Crabtree is a work in progress. She can be reached at (905)685-0496 or linda@lindacrabtree.com
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