Essay Example on Universal Design: Accessible & Usable Environments for All

Introduction

Universal design is the composition and design of an environment that is understood, accessible and used to extents that everyone can access every possible place regardless of their ability, size, age and disability. Any environment (product, service of the building) should be designed to ensure everyone that wishes to access them becomes possible (Olsen 335). A good design, therefore, has a fundamental condition that is convenient, usable, assembles and pleasure to be used by everyone. When such diverse needs consider the abilities and obligations of the design procedures, the universal design will, therefore, create services, environments and products that meet the demand of people. When Universal design meets all aspects particular in educational institutions, then the disability practitioner can assist the tutors, lecturers and individual involved to utilize and deliver inclusive teaching practices.

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The Belief of Ed Roberts

Ed Roberts, who is also described as the 'father of independent living' is the first spokesperson that formed the disability rights movement. Born in 1939, Ed was a passionate athlete person. By the age of 14 years, Ed got sick due to polio (Roberts 156). During that time, many people that were affected by the poliomyelitis virus never had any symptoms, and as carriers, they only experienced flu symptoms. Only one-per-cent that had polio had infections had illnesses that left the intestinal tract to attack the motor neurons found in the spine.

After Ed realized that he had a headache, he decided to go to the hospital. The following day, the hospital confirmed that he was diagnosed with polio and this painful paralysis developed quickly throughout his body. Due to this, he began the world institute on disability and the independent living movement. He was also the first person that was disabled to be employed by the California Department of rehabilitation (Roberts 166). By them, it was not typical for someone with disabilities to work in such an office. The experience made Ed see how important it was for people with disability to be treated equally as the rest. He decided to assist young people with disabilities by making them understand that they are not different from others and that they also contribute significantly to the community.

Ed Roberts Campus and the Accessibility to Everyone

The Universal Design of the campus, particularly the environment, communication and products were made accessible and usable by everyone without functional or adaptation design. Rone Mace, the architect that designed the university also had polio. According to him, the Universal design was not new to him because he used a wheelchair every time (Henderson 69). The only thing he did is to create an awareness of the market and need by making everything produced and designed usable by every person that accesses the institution.

The purpose of using the design was to meet the needs of everyone with disabilities. The buildings, urban areas and public infrastructure were enabled to promote participation and inclusion to reduce barriers that can prevent disabled people from accessing the institutional (Henderson 74). The reason why this conclusion was made is to recognize that the design is vital in people's lives because it sets disabled people free.

Qualities/Design features of Ed Robert's Campus

Equitable Use

The design of the institution does not stigmatize or disadvantage the users in the school by providing the same means to everyone. The plan also avoids stigmatizing or segregating any users because it has privacy, safety and security equal to every person by making the design appealing to users.

Flexibility Use

The design has a wide range of individual abilities and preferences by giving choices in the method used. The facility has accommodated left-or-right handed use and access to facilitate user's precision and accuracy by making the user's pace adaptable (Henderson 81).

Low Physical Effort

The establishment's design can be used comfortably and efficiently without applying much effort. The idea allows every person, including disabled people, to maintain their body position without using operating force. As a result, it minimizes sustained physical effort and repetitive actions.

Space and Size for Use and Approach

Appropriate space and size are provided for manipulation, use, reach and approach regardless of the user's mobility, size, body and posture. The institution has a clear line of sight for essential elements for any standing or seated user (Henderson 94). The campus also accommodates variation in grip and had size by providing enough space for using personal or assistive devices for assistance.

Existing Barriers That Makes Accessibility Challenging

Almost everyone faces difficulties and hardships in their life. However, people with disabilities can have a greater and frequent impact. According to the World Health organization, barriers are more than physical obstacles. Various factors near people's environment either through their presence or absence create disability or limit their functioning. Most communities have social barriers because of the condition everyone is born, learn; grow work and also their aged (Rudolph & Kreiser 277). Such condition develops social determinants that contribute to the decrease of functioning particular people with disability.

In the film released by the Huntley Film Archives, it shows how people with disability are finding it hard in public places and buildings. The film showed a group of blind white people who use the sticks to walk around. Another person by the name Bob who is in a wheelchair is seen pushing him (Rudolph & Kreiser 281). As they move together, they talk about their problems like missing the paving stone/flagstone in the streets, particularly at the entrance of buildings. At the kerb, the blind man has to be assisted, while the person in the wheelchair has to be pushed.

A photo showing a real place with excellent accessibility features

The image below shows how TransLink has created a transit system that is accessible to folks in scooters and wheelchairs. These include SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express and buses. The organization also made their systems available for the retirement, particularly the old buses that had steep steps and floors (Gvtt n.p). In return, they have been replaced by the new floor trolley that comes with low ramps, storeys and more open space on the floor.

The picture taken from Kuala Lumpur City shows how people using the wheelchairs are given alternative routes. Usually, Kuala has obligations to respect the standards of accessibility regarding accessing outdoor spaces, public building and escape routes (Abdullah n.p). However, in this case, the roads were not given that option, and people using wheelchairs are forced to look for an alternative.

Conclusion

Person's with disability need to be treated equally with others. In most cases, such individuals are unable to do things normally, and this makes them feel frustrated. A good example is Ed Roberts, a young athlete that was diagnosed with Polio. Due to his condition, he began the world institute on disability and the independent living movement. Since then, public places have made it easy for people with disability to move around freely.

Works Cited

Abdullah, Dalilah Bee. "Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Monitoring and Enforcing Accessibility." Zero Project, 13 Oct. 2014, zeroproject.org/policy/kuala-lumpur/.

Henderson, Susan. "Building Independence from the Ground Up - Entwicklung Und Konzeption Des Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, Kalifornien." Univision 2020, 2013, pp. 64-80., DOI:10.1007/978-3-86226-908-2_6.

Gvtt. "Transit System Now Fully Accessible." Public Transit in Vancouver, 5 June 2008, vancouverpublictransit.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/transit-system-now-fully-accessible/.Konzeption Des Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, Kalifornien." UniVision 2020, 2013, pp. 64-104., doi:10.1007/978-3-86226-908-2_6.

Olsen, Jason. "Culture-Theory-Disability: Encounters between Disability Studies and Cultural Studies." Disability & Society, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 334-375., DOI:10.1080/09687599.2018.1558006.Roberts, Norman. "International Journal of Information and Library Research (S.A. Roberts, Ed.)." Education for Information, vol. 8, no. 2, Jan. 2012, pp. 154-181., DOI:10.3233/efi-1990-8209.

Rudolph, E., and S. Kreiser. "Education and Existing Knowledge of Architects in Germany About Accessibility and Building for the Older Generation." Breaking Down Barriers, 2018, pp. 275-284., DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-75028-6_24.