HONORED TO LECTURE ABOUT UNIVERSAL DESIGN

I PRESENTED ON "THE JOY OF INCLUSION" AT TOP 15 RANKED    FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY PROGRAM

Honored to guest lecture on Universal Design to 33 Master of Landscape Architecture students at Florida International University this week. 

“The Joy of Inclusion” shared my images and research on design that creates a better built environment for all.

I am gratified to be part of FIU’s top 15 ranked Architecture and Built Environment U.S. Public Universities. 

I lectured on Universal Design based placemaking to the FIU master’s class of Ebru Özer, PhD, FASLA, Professor & Chair, Landscape Architecture + Environmental & Urban Design.

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

Directly across the Overseas Highway from Kona Kai, there is a tiny, limited hours coffee kiosk.

Mugshot Coffee Company is open 8 a.m. till noon, Friday-Tuesday (closed Wed-Thur) for java and breakfasts of croissants, wraps, avocado toast, banana bread, cinnamon rolls and yogurt parfait.

The Tom Thumb gas station has a large convenience store with tons of snacks, beverages, some microwave meals and a few cereal choices for breakfast.

Kona Kai was developed in 1956.

Its 1.6 acre site has been greatly upgraded over 70 years.

It now is a botanical garden and features a small art gallery at the check in area.

The bayfront property is the perfect place to catch the famous Florida Keys sunset.

The rooms and main grounds are 100% smoke free.

If one wants to enjoy a cigar, smoking is allowed way out on the sunset pier – far from the main grounds.

https://www.sippinmugshot.com  

 

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

Kona Kai features a sandy beach area with more places to sit and relax -- some covered.

There is a small pool and a hot tub.

The pool never felt crowded because there are only 13 total rooms and suites (some with kitchens) on the adults-only property.

Kona Kai also gets high marks for being quiet.

Let's face it. 

A ton of people equate a day or weekend in the Florida Keys with drinking and loud music.

There are generous quiet hours at Kona Kai and it is secluded away from noisy bars with live music.

Sal's Ballyhoo's Seafood Restaurant (open roughly noon to 9 p.m. every day but Wednesday) is an institution with Keys roots back to the 1930s.

It is directly across the street from Kona Kai.

It has simple and upscale seafood and other offerings -- perfect for lunch inside or on the patio.

https://ballyhoosrestaurant.com

 

 

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

When you arrive to your charming, updated, super clean room at Kona Kai -- two water bottles plus a small assortment of fruit await you in the room fridge.

I took the smallest kayak out and covered about 90 minutes of coastline.

During your arrival tour of the lush, tranquil grounds -- you are advised that a resident crocodile lives in mangroves not far from the property.

But they are solitary creatures and present no real danger.

The protected cover is created by a sunset pier.

It has covered areas to sit under. 

It also has plenty of clean, well-maintained lounge chairs.

Kona Kai is managed by https://hphospitality.com/portfolio

 

 

 

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

While the room -- really a cottage with a shared wall -- was first class, the grounds are what make Kona Kai Resort.

A lush tropical garden runs from the road to the sea.

Wisely, the tennis/pickleball court and parking are by the road, creating a sound buffer.

The grounds are nothing short of a tropical oasis.

Everything is immaculate -- no trash, overgrown trees, etc.

There are nearly a dozen areas to sit under a table and enjoy a meal, snack, or beverage.

It gets even better.

There is a protected cove where you can use free kayaks and paddle boards.

Paddles, life jackets are in a storage space that also holds tennis-pickleball supplies.

It also has a station for filtered water and ice -- so you can go easy on the environment while saving money on bottled water.

https://visitfloridakeys.com

 

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

To celebrate my birthday at Kona Kai Resort, I left Miami around 9 a.m. and had a great seafood lunch at Mrs. Mac's Kitchen in Key Largo.

I arrived before noon. Check in is officially at 4 pm. and check out at 11 a.m.

I was upgraded to a room that was already freshened up. It was not only an upgrade, but also ready 4+ hours early!

The room had a super comfy bed, sizeable fridge, ceiling fan, air conditioning, sitting area with a large sofa, outlets by the bed, modern bathroom and walk-in shower.

Luxury soap, shampoo, conditioner, hand cream etc. were plentiful.

At night, the room and property were super quiet.

https://mrsmacskitchen.com

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

Kona Kai Key Largo Resort -- where have you been all my life?

For a quarter century, I have lived less than 60 miles from this low key, flawless retreat.

I've driven past it maybe 100 times.

It was not until an impromptu visit for my birthday that I turned off the Overseas Highway and into the paradise.

In the off season, I got a deal -- about $160 including taxes and resort fee (parking is free) on a weekday in October.

I understand the price can soar to more than double that in the high season.

Shannon, the manager helped me book and assured me I could use the amenities if I arrived early -- even if my room was not quite ready.

https://www.konakairesort.com

 

 

FROM DEI TO ROI

REBRANDING THE ENDLESS BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN 

IN AN ERA OF POLITICAL PUSHBACK

Proud to be speaking at Universal Design Summit 8, by Starkloff Disability Institute.

The global event brings 200+ architects, engineers, interior designers, OTs, disability advocates together for 3 days of keynotes, breakouts, tours of St. Louis sites that put Universal Design into practice.

Join my session this month: “From DEI to ROI: Rebranding the endless benefits of universal design in an era of political pushback."

Let’s design spaces that work better for everybody. Get your #UDS8 tickets: https://starkloff.org/uds8

PARIS’ METRO SHOULD BE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

THE WEALTHY CITY MUST DEDICATE MONEY TO RETROFITTING THE OLD BUT ESSENTIAL SYSTEM

Like most visitors, I love using the Paris Metro system.

Locals don’t just love it – they depend on transit to get to work, school, healthcare and much more.

I encourage city leaders to increase wheelchair access for tenfold.

I’m tired of the worn out excuse that buses are accessible, so the subway does not need to be.

It can easily take an hour by bus to cover a distance that only takes 10 or 12 minutes by Metro.

That is not equality.

You would think in a city where the mayor and a significant number of mayors of the 20 arrondissements are socialists, they would wisely invest billions in tourism revenues to solve the social problem of grossly unequal mobility for wheelchair users and others with disabilities.

CARELESS AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR AT THIS PARIS LEGEND CAUSED ME TO FLEE WHEN THE SHOW WAS JUST BEGINNING

I HAVE BEEN TO HUNDREDS OF JAZZ CLUBS AND CONCERT VENUES – THIS IS THE FIRST THAT REWARDED MY ADMISSION PAYMENT BY THREATENING MY LIFE

Caveau de la Huchette.

Shame on you for endangering my life and hundreds of others.

You had dozens of people sitting on the stairs.

There was no escape.

I have visited more than 500 international venues and never seen something that dangerous.

I HAVE BEEN TO HUNDREDS OF JAZZ CLUBS AND CONCERT VENUES

CARELESS AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR AT THIS PARIS LEGEND CAUSED ME TO FLEE WHEN THE SHOW WAS JUST BEGINNING

The far over safe capacity crowd swelled by almost double                                                              AFTER! this picture of overcrowding was taken.

Caveau de la Huchette is a disaster waiting to happen.

I left 4 songs into 9-7-26 show because it was a fire trap.

The club exceeded capacity to point where both stairways were impossible to use.

Apparently no one in Paris cares about hundreds burning to death in a fire or getting trampled in a panic.

I directly contacted the Paris mayor, office for the 5^th Arrondissement and city fire department.

Not one followed up with an inspection or addressing my sincere concerns.

HOPEFULLY, THE BEING HEUMANN BIO FILM ON JUDITH HEUMANN WILL RAISE DISABILITY AWARENESS

WE NEED MORE DEPICTION OF DISABILITY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

Would love to know the story behind this live play at Theatre Antoine in Paris.

I certainly enjoy disability inclusion in the performing arts.

AIRLINES HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO TRULY SERVE WHEELCHAIR USERS

AIRPORTS MUST ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Gratified to see well-displayed disability services hubs in each terminal at Orly Airport Paris.

I have seen the same, as well as very accessible restrooms at Charles de Gaulle airport Paris.

Kudos.

PUBLIC TRANSIT IS A GAME CHANGER FOR MOBILITY, HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECREATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE METRO SYSTEMS MUST ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

METRO SYSTEMS MUST ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Glad to see poster (on Paris M14 line to Orly Airport) supporting wheelchair access on train transit.

Sadly, a tiny fraction of other Metro lines have elevator access. I hope transit operator/authority RATP and IDFmobiilites improve this.

MIAMI "CAR BRAIN" SELFISHNESS KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES

MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN CARS ILLEGALLY PARK ON THE SIDEWALK AT HISTORIC WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN PARK.

THIS HOSTILE ACT PUSHES DISABLED, ELDERLY AND YOUNG PEDESTRIANS INTO DANGEROUS TRAFFIC

The staff at the City Of Miami Bryan Park in Shenandoah is blatantly failing people with disabilities and children.

They do nothing to make people stop blocking the sidewalk with their vehicle vehicles.

Precious police resources are used because of this neglect.

District 4 Commissioner Ralph "Rafael" Rosado and Coral Way Police Commander Manuel Abreu try to quell the endless lawlessness.

The car brain/ableist stupid pushback from evilly selfish drivers:

“They are only blocking half the sidewalk.”

Which is enough to destroy mobility for a wheelchair user.

“They have nowhere else to park.”

That would be as foolhardy as saying, I could steal my neighbor’s car because mine is in the shop.

Miami’s Bryan Park is a tiny treasure.

People who hostilely endanger pedestrians by blocking the sidewalk are:

1) neighbors who live less than a half dozen blocks and could easily walk for exercise instead of driving.

2) people who live far away and are abusing the Shenandoah neighborhood.

HOTEL SOFT PARIS 10TH ARRONDISSIMENT

CONVENIENT QUARTERS IN AN AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

I requested a quiet room at Hotel Soft Paris and was accommodated with a dwelling away from street sounds and separated from the elevator from by said soundproofed door.

The desk was great about getting my requested extra flat bed sheet -- then going on a long hunt for real coffee (room only had decaf packets) the first morning.

There is a great supermarket a couple blocks away and hundreds of wonderful restaurants, many with outdoor space, in the 10th.

La Petite Rose des Sables -- an ultra-intimate, highly rated neighborhood gem – is a 10 minute walk from the hotel.

I enjoyed an aperitif, salad, frites, chicken roti, sangria, sweets and hugs for €14.

HOTEL SOFT PARIS 10TH ARRONDISSIMENT

CONVENIENT QUARTERS IN AN AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

My Hotel Soft Paris room was clean, efficient and tiny.

I paid just under $150 (fully loaded with taxes) and got what I paid for -- a room with almost no space around the bed, a tiny bathroom (with a troublesome shower tube that was so high up off the ground that I hung onto the adjacent sink for dear life to prevent a dangerous fall during the huge step up/step down.)

Thankfully, the no frills property has an elevator.

It gets huge credit for having a door between the elevator and rooms -- which tamps down noise from people departing the lift at all hours.

The hotel also has many signs reminding guests to be quiet.

 

 

 

 

HOTEL SOFT PARIS 10TH ARRONDISSIMENT

CONVENIENT QUARTERS IN AN AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

I arrived at L'Est and walked to Hotel Soft Paris in less than 10 minutes.

I departed Paris at Gare du Nord and it was less than 15 minutes to walk there from the hotel.

The hotel is located a side street, so it is quiet at night.

My room overlooked a pleasant rear courtyard shared with other buildings.

Hotel Soft also is the perfect distance from the two major rail stations -- as in close enough to walk without paying high taxi rates, and far enough away to avoid the seedy element that populates the surroundings of major transit hubs -- even in this most elegant of cities.

HOTEL SOFT PARIS 10TH ARRONDISSIMENT

CONVENIENT QUARTERS IN AN AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

When I was asking a question to the front desk clerk at Hotel Soft Paris the next morning, a fellow traveler checking out also complained about poor sleep due to loud thuds from the room above.

I confess I am a light sleeper and this was the first night adjusting to the 6 hour time difference -- but since a similar solo traveler on my floor had the same experience, I have to share this noise concern.

HOTEL SOFT PARIS 10TH ARRONDISSIMENT

CONVENIENT QUARTERS IN AN AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

The first night at Hotel Soft Paris, I slept chaotically.

There was a thumping noise from the room above from at least 11 p.m. till past 1 a.m.

It sound like people dropping luggage over and over -- or a large dog leaping off the bed.

A bit more soundproofing should be added.

Because the phone in the room doesn't work, I did not contact the front desk to investigate the noise.

HOTEL SOFT PARIS 10TH ARRONDISSIMENT

CONVENIENT QUARTERS IN AN AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

Hotel Soft Paris provides low cost rooms with just enough space to sleep and bathe, great location in authentic 10th Arrondissement

Its excellent location is footsteps from Canal St. Martin -- the beautiful waterway with elegant bridges over it and thousands of spots to sit with a picnic lunch and bottle of wine in one of the greatest outdoor urban settings in all of Europe.

The hotel also is within easy walking distance of Paris' large Gare de L'Est and Gare du Nord railroad stations.

CONNECT RECORD SHOP (VINYL PARADISE)

THE CROWN JEWEL OF FORT LAUDERDALE’S THRIVE ART DISTRICT 

The New Times described South Florida’s best record shop: “Connect Record Shop immediately made a splash on the regional record shop scene thanks to its fantastic curation and socially oriented space.”

Connect is in Fort Lauderdale’s Thrive Art District – worth a 90 minute roundtrip drive from the center of Miami.

A recent visit took me back 4+ decades with posters of Devo, The Velvet Underground and more.

Connect is a throwback with old school (and fresh) vinyl in a clean, wheelchair accessible, inclusive setting.

It earns a 5 star review with wall art of bands I saw in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in my native Ohio.

https://connectrecordshop.com/

APARTHOTEL ADAGIO ACCESS GENT CENTRUM DAMPOORT

MODERN LODGING WITH TRANSIT ACCESS TO ALL OF BELGIUM

Aparthotel Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort is not in the town center, but around Dampoort station, there are a half dozen or so Turkish and Middle Eastern pita shops, restaurants and bakeries.

Some reviewers have said the neighborhood looks seedy.

It is not polished, but it is growing area and I never felt like I needed to take anything but public transit and foot power – even when I arrived around 11 p.m.

Buying tickets for local buses and intercity trains is very easy online.

You can go to famous Bruges or the Flanders part of northern France for less than $10 one way, when you buy a 6 euro plus pass and book off times (basically not rush hour).

The areas around the fabled towers and historic monuments of Gent can be a bit noisy, so I found the Dampoort location to be quiet and peaceful.