THRILLED TO TEACH UNIVERSAL DESIGN TO MILLIONS OF REALTORS

HOW TO DETECT ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES IN ANY PROPERTY

My five minute video is online, unlocking the value of Universal Design for millions of viewers.

Viewers learn practical tips for recognizing modifications and opportunities that make a property accessible for people with disabilities.

From doorways and kitchens to bathrooms, pools and parking, my expert insights help REALTORS better serve a broader range of clients.

I spoke at the Florida REALTORS statewide convention last year.

Florida has more REALTORS than any other state -- even more than giant California.

For two decades, I have written cover stories and center spread features for On Common Ground, a smart growth publication of the National Association of Realtors.

Many of my stories have featured groundbreaking Universal Design and wheelchair access insights.

I also crafted a first of its kind, hourlong visual and verbal presentation of Universal Design, Aging in Place and enhancing wheelchair access – for the Ohio REALTORS.

My unmatched Universal Design and Town Planning expertise has been featured in far more than 100 articles, webinars, podcasts, radio/television interviews and books.

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/video-library/learning/how-detect-accessibility-features-any-property

PURE SAFE URBAN MOBILITY GENIUS

ILLUMINATED CROSSWALK STRIPS IN DOWNTOWN MEDELLIN

Crosswalk edges light up neon green to tell pedestrians it is time to cross safely.

Most of these are in La Candelaria Medellin Colombia — the congested and chaotic centro.

Alternately, the edge of crosswalks in the urban core light up neon bright red — to signal pedestrians that it is not safe to cross.

The red-green “walk” system helps combat the ambient noise confusion created by motorcycles, cars and booming music.

PROUD TO SPEAK ABOUT UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND INCLUSIVE MOBILITY

IN FRONT OF THE NATION’S TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY THOUGHT LEADERS AT THE 2025 JOINT ITE INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING

I was gratified to speak to the transportation, transit and mobility industry’s leaders – from the private, public, nonprofit and academic sectors – at the ITE International meeting this week in Orlando.

I spoke on: Creating Accessible, Healthy, and Smart Multimodal Communities Through Transportation.

I underscored design fails that make sidewalks, curbramps and crosswalks dangerous or impossible to use by people who use assistive mobility devices.

At the end of my presentation to a full ballroom, I implored those in attendance to get at the root of disability inclusion.

I challenged the nation’s leading mobility designers, builders and regulators to aggressively recruit, hire and retain people with various disabilities.

Without those personal insights, the most brilliant engineers and planners in the world are doomed to creating barriers that strip people with disabilities of independence, dignity and safety.

PROUD TO HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN MAKING

LITTLE HAVANA’S CALLE OCHO

THE CROWN JEWEL OF AUTHENTIC MIAMI

It was an honor to work as the senior urban policy advisor for Miami District 3 City Commissioner Joe Sanchez.

Two decades ago, Calle Ocho was sleepy.

We worked to strengthen arts and culture.

Now millions visit annually.

Good Morning America broadcast from the Ball & Chain World Famous Bar and Lounge on Calle Ocho in the heart of Miami's Little Havana this week.

I was there to meet GMA Weather Anchor Sam Champion and to see the success story that has made the Ball & Chain Miami’s best location for live music, crafted drinks and elevated bar food.

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/124408344

GRATIFIED TO BE A KEY SPEAKER AT THE 2025 JOINT ITE INTERNATIONAL

AND FLORIDA PUERTO RICO DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING AND EXHIBITION

I am honored to bring my passionate speaking about the value of Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility to the International ITE meeting.

I will be joined by my friend and colleague David Haight and a host of other mobility planning industry giants.

Our topic: Creating Accessible, Healthy, and Smart Multimodal Communities Through Transportation

I proudly speak globally about a better built environment for people with disabilities.

CITIES THAT DON’T TOW CARS PARKED OVER SIDEWALKS

ARE DISRCIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Illegal car parking destroys pedestrian safety and forces people with disabilities into Miami’s dangerous street traffic. 

Perpetually 2 or 3 cars park on NE 9 St @ Marina Blue mixed use tower.

Miami has a Downton Development Authority that has a quality of life team in the streets each day.

I wonder if they have any training on ADA accessibility.

I fear they do not spend one day out of 365 trying to make mobility better for people with disabilities in the city center.

MY BLOG GETS 12,000 TO 15,000

DAILY READERS

I learned journalism at the storied Akron Beacon Journal.

Its daily print circulation is below 22,000.

It’s not an apples to apples comparison -- but I am proud to be getting so many readers.

My blog focuses on building a better environment for people with disabilities, placemaking and urban photography.

It began more than a decade ago and has had nearly 1.5 million unique visitors.

ARRESTED MOBILITY:

OVERCOMING THE THREAT TO BLACK MOVEMENT

I cannot think of a better way to continue the positive energy of Juneteenth than reading my friend/colleague Charles Brown's book -- Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement. 

It is pithy, well researched, on point, moving, profound, hopeful and filled with practical methods for making mobility more inclusive and cities more productive and livable for all of us.

The Island Press book is less than 125 pages.

Every word skillfully documents structural racism.

The book provides a path to better planning for all.

I am honored to have appeared in Charles' podcast and collaborated with him.

I'm proudly quoted as a disability advocate expert in his book.

DANGEROUS DRIVING KILLS

BUT MIAMI DOES NEXT TO NOTHING TO STOP IT

An innocent person lost their life in my Miami neighborhood.

Their crime -- being a pedestrian in a city that tolerates people driving up to double the speed limit on otherwise quiet, residential streets.

Enough of the BS rhetoric about right wing this, left wing that -- it's all a distraction while our elected and appointed "leaders" get rich in office while not protecting us.

Every commissioner, mayor, city manager, police chief, road designer, planner, etc. -- is 100% failing us when it is a death defying act to simply walk around one of our wonderful parks.

BOUNDLESS (BY AUTHOR ALEX NORMAN)

REAL STORIES AND PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR INCLUSIVE LIVING

As a Universal Design writer, educator, planner and advocate -- I applaud Alex Norman for authoring BOUNDLESS: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living. 

In these troubling time of pushback against equity/inclusion for People with Disabilities, we need books that focus on Universal Design.

From the book blurb:

In Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living, Alex Norman and Garrett Mayersohn share personal stories, lived experiences, and practical strategies to help readers identify and remove hidden barriers that exclude millions of people every day, often without us realizing it.

Through these real-world insights and the seven proven principles of Universal Design, this book offers practical ways to create environments where everyone feels welcome and empowered, no matter their age, ability, or background.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/8v2se4J

UNIVERSAL DESIGN MYTH BUSTING

HOSTED BY STARKLOFF DISABILITY INSTITUTE'S

NEWLY EXPANDED UNIVESAL DESIGN PROGRAM

Honored to cover two of five myths discussed during the April 10 Universal Design Myths Busted virtual panel presentation hosted by Starkloff Disability Institute's newly expanded UD program.

I was gratified to be part of an expert panel also featuring Tiffany Dill, Meaghan Walls and Gretchen Kingma.Speaking to a large online audience, we broke down common misconceptions about Universal Design and its impact on everyone.

Thanks to the incomparable Rachel Goldmeier and the entire Starkloff team for facilitating a dynamite, 75-slide program.

https://starkloff.org/services/universal-design/

MIAMI REFUSES TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

CARS DANGEROUSLY BLOCKING SIDEWALKS ARE NEVER TOWED

Welcome to Miami — where we despise pedestrians.

Dozens of times I have asked cops to tow cars blocking sidewalks — because it forces people with disabilities into dangerous streets.

The answer always is NO.

But Miami Police does tow vehicles (because we all know 5000 pound trucks and SUVs are more important than human lives.)

The city tows vehicles that: slightly block the roadway, park in areas temporarily roped off for festivals, break down in traffic, etc.

Basically, if it slows traffic by 1% -- it's towed.

If it endangers people with disabilities & all pedestrians by 100% -- it's ignored.

PLEASE STOP THE ABLEISM NOW!

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Carol Kachadoorian is a transportation planner and executive director of dblTilde CORE, a nonprofit that promotes active mobility infrastructure, especially for older adults.

While she praises Universal Design and wide, gently sloped curb ramps; smooth, unobstructed sidewalks; safe crosswalks; and transit that serves more than commuters, she also promotes active mobility.

It is a misnomer that as people age, they stop being active. 

If a person can no longer drive, they might take more trips by cycling.

“If we don’t design the right way, the person will be less inclined to be physically active,” said Kachadoorian, who leads a survey of people 50 and older that cycle.

“The fundamental thing is to create infrastructure that keeps older adults physically active. The result is better mobility, independence and dignity.”

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Jeremy Southerland, Gensler’s southeast region senior living practice area leader, said “When we talk about active adult communities/environments, the following is the current definition we’re using to measure our success: 

“Active adult communities offer independence, equity, and dynamic living environments.

They sustain and activate life experiences and are calibrated for adaptation to the evolving needs of the aging mind and body.

Active adult communities nurture life-span and well-span.”

Gensler also is designing what it believes is the next generation of 55+ active adult residences.

Willow Valley Communities’ Mosaic in Lancaster, Pa., is a 20-floor tower with 147 two- and three-bedroom units.

Ground floor retail plus memberships open to the public for Mosaic’s wellness center, spa and tower bar are designed to facilitate stronger connections with the community as a whole.

“By investing in the revitalization of downtown Lancaster, this project celebrates the important role that older adults play in the success of multigenerational urban communities,” Southerland said.

“Three lobbies take advantage of existing street slopes to ensure secure and easy access for residents enjoying the city, meeting friends for lunch and a show, going for bike rides, or returning from dinner in town.”

 

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Gensler, the largest design and architecture firm in the world, has senior living practice leaders.

The San Francisco-based firm has generated reports on intergenerational communities and is designing a groundbreaking project that will blend senior living with a major college campus.

The Varcity at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., will bring alums back to school for their senior years.

The complex of apartments, town houses, villas and flats will create 230 rental units on 14 acres.

About 60 percent of the units will provide independent-living options as well as assisted-living and memory-care units.

Tama Duffy Day, Gensler’s global senior living leader, said University officials hope Varcity at Purdue will allow residents and current students to interact and learn from each other.

The first floor of the main building will feature shared amenities for students and residents that will include an event design lab, lecture hall, makerspace, lifelong learning space, an early childhood learning center and a work-share space.

Varcity residents will have access to classes and lectures on campus and a school ID card that provides access to all campus facilities. Amenities will include dining areas, a bar, gym, aerobics space, a pool and spa, pickleball courts and an outdoor kitchen and grilling station.

“I think that to talk about planning tools, you must take a broader view… you can’t assume that if you install park benches and time your traffic lights to allow additional time for pedestrians, that you can call a community age friendly,” said Jeremy Southerland, Gensler’s southeast region senior living practice area leader.

 

 

 

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

To further foster intergenerational living and connectivity, Prairie Hill’s eco-friendly site is not isolated.

It is intentionally located on bus lines and biking and walking trails about a mile from the University of Iowa and downtown Iowa City—so most daily needs can be met without needing a car.

The development is adjacent to a relatively new, large, multifaceted city park.

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Barbara Bailey, co-founder and resident of Prairie Hill, explained the appeal of the co-housing developent.

“We have meals once a week cooked by volunteer cooks. Residents pay five dollars to cover the cost and it puts on a meal for the whole community. We call it Tasty Tuesday,” said Bailey.

“Vegetables are brought down from the garden and prepared for the meals.

“People come together in the common house. We have morning coffee, movie nights, game nights, even beer brewing.”

The development is structured as a condominium.

Bailey dubbed the governing structure as a “sociocracy—no one head person, but committees in charge of things.”

Bailey believes Universal Design is a must for intergenerational living and co-housing.

“Most units have roll-in showers, accessible baths, light switches accessible to people in wheelchairs,” she said.

“We hired an architect very versed in the ADA and inclusion.

You get through the grounds without using steps and the two-story community building has an elevator.”

 

 

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

In Iowa City, Iowa, the innovative Prairie Hill Co-Housing is a leader in co-housing, land stewardship, master planning, sustainability and intergenerational living.

The development is on 7.3 acres and has 37 residences with 55 residents.

Thirty of its units have earned LEED for Homes Gold Certification and it was a 2024 United States Green Building Council LEED Home Award winner in the Outstanding Multifamily category, earning praise as a leading example of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“Some co-housing is restricted to people over 55, but we didn’t do that—we wanted the vibrancy of youth,” said Barbara Bailey, co-founder and resident of Prairie Hill.

“Life is centered on a 5,000-square-foot common house with a big kitchen, laundry and guest rooms.”

People buy units at Prairie Hill, which has studios, and one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

More than half the acreage is dedicated to orchards, gardens and land conservation.

The development is planted in prairie grass, so it does not need to be watered or mowed.

The all-electric homes are designed for energy efficiency. Solar panels generate more power than the development consumes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Jim Elliott, senior transportation planner at Toole Design, said community engagement is key to designing places based on facts and needs, not stereotypes. 

He mentioned Toole Design’s work on the “LA Safe Routes for Seniors” project, which aims to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes involving older adult Angelinos.

The project team’s approach to engage seniors in the planning process has evolved over time to emphasize in-person engagement opportunities, such as senior center site visits and one-on-one interviews, instead of electronic methods, such as online surveys, which some may have difficulty using.

“We need to control speeds and make it more comfortable to traverse streets,” said Jeremy Chrzan, multimodal design practice lead at Toole Design.

“We need things like pedestrian refuges that break up the number of lanes people must cross.

We need raised crosswalks — they are outstanding for people using wheelchairs for mobility and they slow down drivers. Even material choice factors in.

Fancy pavers that look like stones might look nice, but they often settle and become tripping hazards.”

CREATING INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES

MIXING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLED, BETTER CONNECTED AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

There is a misconception that older adults want to move away from the hustle and bustle of the city, or even the streetcar suburb, to live in isolated senior communities.

Jeremy Chrzan, multimodal design practice lead at Toole Design, said the fact is lots of older adults are moving into more urbanized areas.

Some are downsizing, leaving the big yard and big house for a smaller urban unit because they want nearby access to health care, recreation, the arts, shopping and more.

He said a well-connected transit system is key to intergenerational communities, because it connects people who are too young to drive, too old to drive or just plain don’t want to drive