Universal Design

Presenter: Krista Macy, Assoc. AIA, Architectural Design Research Associate at the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access and Broome County Office for Aging Krista Macy, with experience in design for accessibility and sustainable and universal design, is engaged in diverse research projects intended to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Her recent activities include designing home modifications and conducting accessibility and universal design assessments for industry partners.

This session invites us to think differently about how designs can help improve human performance, health and wellness, and social participation for a diverse population, including an aging population, through the Eight Goals of Universal Design. Discussions will be focused on how universal design can become a part of good architecture and planning practice by default and will review universal design strategies that have been successfully implemented in municipal projects to improve functionality, safety, and user satisfaction. The program also introduces a new resource for municipalities interested in implementing universal design, innovative solutions for Universal Design (isUD), an online tool that allows design teams to select from a list of over 500 universal design solutions, and to track progress toward meeting universal design goals.