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

THRILLED TO HAVE JUST COMPLETED RECORDING AN EPISODE

FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION PODCAST

The hour flew by talking about Universal Design and how it delivers dignity for people with disabilities.

I also explained how Universal Design is the most sustainable, flexible, durable, resilient and cost-effective approach to the built environment.

The hosts, Chris Danley and Don Kostelec, really get it. They introduce walkability, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and access for all into every project they work on.

Chris is a recognized national expert in Walkability and Health Impact Assessments, is co-creator of the Looking Glass walk audit training academy, crafted the Activity Connection Plan™ and Healthy Conditions Assessment models.

He has conducted numerous planning and assessment projects throughout Idaho, North Carolina, Utah and other states.

He also works with Blue Zones as a subject matter expert in the Built-Environment throughout the United States. inkedin Twitter

Don is a 20-year professional in transportation planning, health analysis and comprehensive planning. 

His work extends from Alaska to Florida and California to New York, but is focused in the Intermountain West. He is an avid walker and has been since the age of 1.

Don is known as a provocative speaker who helps communities better engage the design profession for more equitable and safer street design that prioritizes the safety of people over the movement of cars.

Look for the episode to drop before the end of November at:

https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

CHRISTINA RODRIGUEZ OF UM-NSU UCARD

ON NEURODIVERSITY FOR UMSOA STUDENTS 

We teach Universal Design to graduate and upper level undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture – a top 50 program out of more than 500 schools of architecture. 

While much of the focus is on designing for people with mobility impairments -- we also spend a great deal of time educating future architects about design that improves lives for people with visual impairments, hearing impairments and those in the neurodiversity community.

Christina Rodriguez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst & case manager in Applied Research & Behavioral Training division at the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

Prior to working at CARD, Christina was a special education teacher for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in a self-contained classroom setting for over nine years.

She has a master’s in Special Education with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders & a masters in psychology with a concentration on Applied Behavior Analysis.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

JUDY PORRO, CERTIFIED ORIENTATION & MOBILITY SPECIALIST,  MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED  -- AT UMSOA

We teach Universal Design to graduate and upper level undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture – a top 50 program out of more than 500 schools of architecture. 

While much of the focus is on designing for people with mobility impairments -- we also spend a great deal of time educating future architects about design that improves lives for people with visual impairments, hearing impairments and those in the neurodiversity community.

Judy Porro is a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist and Certified Vision Rehab Therapist at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired for nearly

She has been a special education teacher and assistant principal in the Virginia public schools. She has been published in Developmental Neurorehabilitation Journal.

Porro has worked as a life care planner for clients who acquired a brain/SCI and required life-long care. She has a brother with a disability.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

EDWARD H. STEINFELD, ARCH. D., AIA, R.A. -- UNIVERSAL DESIGN TRAILBLAZER FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY -- at UMSoA

Edward H. Steinfeld is Founder of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at University of Buffalo

Steinfeld has been a trailblazer in the field of inclusive design since the 1970’s when he led a transformational research project that established accessibility standards.

In his 50-year career, he has done award-winning research, taught thousands of students, designed many buildings, served as an expert consultant, and mentored numerous colleagues.

When he founded the IDeA Center in 1984, he believed that inclusive design was a critical component of a socially sustainable community. 

We teach Universal Design to graduate and upper level undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture – a top 50 program out of more than 500 schools of architecture.

Steinfeld's hour-long presentation, via Zoom, captivated our graduate and undergraduate students.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

ROSEMARIE ROSSETTI, PH.D.  LEADING DISABILITY INCLUSION EXPERT AND STAR GUEST LECTURER IN UNIVERSAL DESIGN COURSE

Rosemarie Rossetti is the perfect speaker for dozens of contexts, such as educating: architects, interior designers, general contractors, engineers and remodelers.

Her expertise is specific enough to speak to skilled technicians but it also is straightforward enough to entertain and captivate everyday lay persons.

Rossetti is an expert storyteller. She introduces Universal Design, via her dream house, with the perfect blend of details, beauty, practicality, warmth and curb appeal.

We teach Universal Design to graduate and upper level undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture – a top 50 program out of more than 500 schools of architecture.

Rossetti’s 45-minute presentation, via Zoom, had students at full attention, writing notes, typing information and nodding in approval.

Even though each of them has several design studios under their belt, you could see that those who will create tomorrow’s built environment were learning the full value of design that is universal, flexible and sustainable.

Rossetti deftly answered an array of questions, some very technical and architecture-oriented, with ease.

A lot of people (unfortunately) think the message of a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility will either be sad and drab, or focused on only inspiring without depth behind it. Rossetti busts the myth by simply presenting herself as a diverse person who learned how to expertly design, build and live in a home that accommodates all.

She convinces everyone in the homebuilding industry that there is value in aging in place and that her home is not for some fractionally small market (that means resale value is poor).

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

KAREN BRAITMAYER, FAIA, FOUNDING PRINCIPAL OF STUDIO PACIFICA & STAR GUEST LECTURER IN UNIVERSAL DESIGN COURSE

Karen Braitmayer, FAIA, is Founder of Studio Pacifica, accessibility consulting firm recognized nationally for its focus on universal design.

She has made a unique contribution to the built environment— disability civil rights movement—by pairing professional architectural expertise with personal experience.

A policy advocate for persons with disabilities before the ADA was adopted, Braitmayer was the 2019 Person of the Year by New Mobility Magazine. 

New Mobility is an award-winning publication and the premier source for lifestyle, travel, in-depth news and other articles relevant to people with disabilities.

Spearheading designs to improve access in civic, commercial, education, hospitality, retail, health, multi-family residential projects – Braitmayer has excelled at making accessibility cool since before the ADA even existed. 

We look forward to collaborating him on many inclusive projects.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

JEFFREY MANSFIELD, LEADER OF MASS DESIGN GROUP'S DEAF SPACE AND STAR GUEST LECTURER IN OUR UNIVERSAL DESIGN COURSE

We are honored to teach a revolutionary course on Universal Design at the University of Miami School of Architecture.

In addition to our four decades of professional experience and thousands of articles of published expertise, We combine our thousands of publish articles and four decades of experience with cutting edge thought leaders live to our class via Zoom.

Jeffrey Yasuo Mansfield leads MASS’s Deaf Space and Disability Justice Lab, uplifting the lived experience of Deaf and Disabled communities to bring equity and dignity on a number of education and cultural projects.

His current research explores the formation of Deaf and Disability spaces as expressions of cultural resistance in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, for which he is a Graham Foundation grantee.

Jeffrey has been deaf since birth. He delivered a thought-provoking presentation via slides and an interpreter.

We look forward to collaborating him on many inclusive projects.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HP LOVECRAFT

AN OPEN LETTER TO CTHULHU

BY HEIDI JOHNSON-WRIGHT

Dear Cthulhu:

Greetings, Great Old One! Hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time, but I sort of felt like this couldn’t wait. You see, I have a concern I’m hoping you can address.

Some of us pathetic creatures to whom you are malignantly indifferent, i.e. human beings, get around in wheeled contraptions. Most of the time, we manage fine, despite the roadblocks – broken sidewalks, lack of curb ramps, out-of-service elevators -- thrown our way. In fact, if the built environment was a bit more inclusive, wheeling around wouldn’t be such a big deal. So you can rest easy; I’m not asking you to place your prodigious claws on me and heal me like some sweaty tent evangelist in a bad toupee.

No, I’m writing to you for a very different reason. After years of research, including countless hours spent in musty-smelling antiquarian book shops, I discovered an ancient jungle temple dedicated exclusively to you. Imagine my jubilation when I discovered a place here on lowly Earth where I might feel a connection to you. Why, the world around me became tinted with a colour out of space!

I put my life on hold, dedicating my every thought, my every ounce of energy to reaching that holy place. I made the month-long journey to the temple on the back of a flatulent donkey, guided by little more than a map in Esperanto and a Garmin watch.

I shall never forget the day I caught sight of that temple’s Cyclopean walls, eerily hidden in an eldritch shadow out of time. Why, I cried out to Yog-Sothoth with joy! I reached inside my Miskatonic University tote bag and took out my inflatable beard (see attached photo.) But then, imagine my despair when I reached the temple’s entrance.

The dang thing has steps!

After all my time, energy and devotion, I was excluded from entering, unable to gaze at the high altar or sacrifice a goat or even check out the clearance table in the adjoining gift shop! Is there nothing that can be done?

Of course I see the paradox inherent in the situation: you have infinite powers yet total indifference to my plight. Still, I hope that you might pull a few strings and get a ramp installed. It’s not asking much, really. In fact, you’ll even earn yourself a tax credit that’s nothing to sneeze at.

Until then, I shall wait in my jungle lean-to, the donkey and swarms of unspeakably huge bugs my only companions.

Yours truly,

A humble daughter of Dagon

 

http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com/2015/06/an-open-letter-to-cthulhu.html

 

 

DEAR GRANDFATHER:

PLEASE LET GIMPS IN THE DOOR 

 by heidi johnson-wright

As a wheelchair-using gimp girl, I sometimes hear folks say the reason a place is not accessible is because it’s historic. Statements like “It’s one of those older buildings constructed under standards in force years ago.”

What they mean is it was built back when gimps were safely tucked away in institutions or kept hidden in the back bedrooms of family homes. You know, like the simpler, gentler era depicted in Norman Rockwell’s art: a time when families sat down together every night at the dinner table and the worst trouble little boys got into was dipping girls’ pigtails in inkwells. Page through Rockwell’s illustrations in a book or online and you’ll be hard-pressed to find gimps included in his rosy vision of an America that never was and never will be.

Perhaps you’ve heard someone say that a building doesn’t have to be accessible because it’s been “grandfathered.” When I hear that word, at first I picture a kind, gentle older man who loves to go fishing and hands out candy to his grandkids.

But then I remember it doesn’t mean that at all. It’s really an excuse to avoid letting gimps in the door. And a pitiful excuse, at that. The ADA is a civil rights law, not a building code. You can’t deny folks their civil rights simply because you’ve been denying their rights for so long, it’s magically okay to keep denying them. To follow that twisted logic would mean allowing racially segregated lunch counters to remain segregated because that’s how it’s always been.

Creating access in older buildings is often a matter of a couple factors. Are the decision makers in charge truly committed to creating an inclusive community and are the architects and engineers up to the task?

Take for example, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. It’s one of the most celebrated art collections in the world. It includes masterpieces by da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli that will make you drunk with joy. And it’s really, really old. It was completed in 1581 for Cosimo I de' Medici, who was not exactly known for being a proponent of disability rights. And yet, the Uffizi is exquisitely accessible to wheelchair users, and proud of its touch tours for people with visual impairments. The elevators and ramps are not big, ugly and awkward. They fit seamlessly into the structure, never taking away from the beauty all around.

How can this be? Shouldn’t they have told gimps, “Sorry, you’ll never see Botticelli’s Primavera because, like, the Uffizi is just too old. And, oh yeah, it’s grandfathered.”

Am I ever glad they didn’t. I’ll take Botticelli over Normal Rockwell any day.

http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com/2015/07/dear-grandfather-please-let-gimps-in.html