Your browser does not support JavaScript. This media can be viewed at http://www.podtech.net/home/1205/intels-louis-burns-on-future-digital-healthIntel is helping in terms of looking at how care is given in the hospitals and how they can provide technologies to assist hospital nurses and staff.  This enters the loop of Universal Design in that it integrates technology in the health care system.  Technology has long helped us automate our homes through home automation products.  I know from personal experience that Intel has been one of the early supporters of automation in homes. 

I like the idea of a nurse sending a patient to the discharge planner who has her Intel driven digital assistant.  She looks at the patients abilities, punches the diagnoses into her digital assistant and a universal design provider's name pops up as a resource.  Nice - the potential is there but we have to grasp it!

WAY TO GO INTEL YOU DESIGNED SOMETHING TO HELP EVERYONE!

Independence DAY! What a perfect time to talk about independence of all people no matter our differences or diversity issues.

Independence DAY! What a perfect time to talk about independence of all people regardless of abilities. Universal Design is the BOMB when it comes to residential spaces. Let's take a walk and discover what it means to own one of these intuitive homes. As many of us have discovered, just by living, the entry to our homes by way of stairs is far from ideal. While it is true we need to keep water from running in our front doors we do not have to have an entry littered by barriers that keep us on the outside looking in. This rental unit is a tough one to enter.  Look at all the stairs and no other options!

Who wants to go down these stairs?  There are too many!  One time I had to carry a woman down these stairs after she had hip surgery.  (How embarrassing.  These are the stairs to the office space I rent--that's it I'm moving my office.)

Here's an easier entry for everybody.  A slight incline of this sidewalk eases up to the front door.  Water doesn't go in under the door because the rain all runs down the slight slope. 

I watch a woman in a wheelchair use this entry several times a month.  She is amazing!  She is  independent even though her legs don't work.  She drives her car and parks in front of the building.  Then she opens her card door, pulls her wheelchair out of the back seat, puts a wheel on it and pulls it beside her for a transfer.  She locks the wheels, slides in, puts the arm on and backs away from the car.  After closing the card door she wheels herself to the building's door and goes inside.  When she comes back out she does it all over again!  I am always inspired when I watch her from my office window.

As we celebrate our independence as a nation shouldn't we also look toward the independence of our citizens - all of them not just the perfect ones!

-skg

GO DESIGN SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

This design is fun an innovative.  I like the idea of creating greater independence for those using wheel chairs.  Not only does it give in-town mobility it is green!  Love it.

source: youtube

This car requires user to have use of arms and hands but it is a great step.

GO DESIGN SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Building in safety features to home modification projects and new construction projects is critical but do you need those safety grab bars? 

The real question is why wouldn't you install safety grab bars?  Do you think they are only for those who are living with a disability or those who want to skip the nursing home to age at home?  Maybe you just HATE the way they look with their sterile, un-homey, metallic, ugliness. 

As a professional interior designer, I will admit, it took a little getting used to but now that Moen and other manufacturers are beginning to play along, we have fun and elegant options.  Some of them look like they were designed simply to add elegant architectural details.

source: http://csi.moen.com

Or check out these:

source: http://grabbarspecialists.com

The multiple colors are great because you can use them to great advantage.  I know, we all used to love beige and tone on tone or making everything white.  Happily those days are long gone and color has come out to join in the fun.  Installing grab bars in a color that contrasts with your walls makes them easier to see, hence, safer.

Designing and having your interiors outfitted to benefit a diverse set of abilities does not mean your residence will be UGLY or STERILE or hospital like.  It will be designed around you!  If you don't want the added safety in the bathroom of grab bars - even though the floor may be slippery when wet - even though the toddler who climbs up onto the commode will be safer - even though your mother will appreciate them (when you're not looking) - you do not have to install grab bars.  You can simply plan ahead for the day you do decide to accommodate everyone's needs.

When you construct or modify your home, plan where you will install your grab bars and put the blocking between the wall studs.  This will enable you to install grab bars later (because you just cannot see yourself doing it now) without tearing into your bathroom walls.

Take note, grab bars should be installed at a comfortable height for you or whomever will use them the most.  This is typically not at the height most found in public places - 36 inches - but rather at a height you can rest your elbows on while seated on the commode.

To grab bar or not to grab bar?  That is the question.  It's better for everyone!  So, the real question is - why don't you grab bar?