Community mobility in the context of universal design: Inter‐professional collaboration and education

Abstract

Although there are areas of synergy between occupational therapy and architecture in universal design, each profession has its own strengths and skills to bring to the design process. Given the multidisciplinary nature of ensuring designs support participation in occupations and roles, both professions could benefit from opportunities to meaningfully collaborate during professional education and in the workplace.

Housing accessibility for senior citizens in Sweden: Estimation of the effects of targeted elimination of environmental barriers

“…Since older people spend most of their time at home, it is important that the ordinary housing stock is accessible and designed to accommodate and support activity and participation in the ageing population [2][3][4].…”

Working with Policy and Regulatory Factors to Implement Universal Design in the Built Environment: The Australian Experience

“…They challenge occupational therapists to embrace and address more contemporary social and political issues as a means to advocate for occupational justice and inclusion for all. Occupational therapists in Australia are increasingly entering the multi-disciplinary area of the design of public built environments and spaces, often in the role of access consultant [ 8 ]. Access consultants are specialist professionals who conduct access audits, appraisals, research, and evaluation projects, consultations, advisory and training services around universal design in the built environment.…”

“…Universal design refers to the creation of objects, resources, and built environments that can be used by the entire population, without adaptation or stigma, throughout their lifespan [ 9 ]. Originating from architecture in the USA in the early 1990s [ 10 ], the principles of universal design have become prevalent in diverse disciplines including occupational therapy [ 8 ], engineering [ 11 ], and architecture [ 10 ]. Universal design “seeks to eliminate discrimination by design and support full social participation for all members of society” ([ 12 ], p.165).…”

“…The seven principles of universal design (see Table 1 ) were originally developed at North Carolina State University [ 13 ]. While there is some variability in the terms used to describe such non-discriminatory planning and design processes for built environments, (including inclusive design, visitability, barrier free design, and design for all) , universal design continues to be the most prevalent [ 8 ].…”

Assistive Technology in Australia: Integrating theory and evidence into action

“…The adoption of Universal Design (UD) principles allows a diverse population to interact with environments and products without stigma or the requirement of adaptation (Hitch, Larkin, Watchorn & Ang, 2012). Universally designed products and technologies (UT) are complementary to ATDs and, as a societal health promotion strategy, are considered a more efficient, and thus optimal, intervention compared to individually designed or adapted ATDs, but challenges in providing appropriate incentives or regulations prevent their widespread adoption (Elsaesser & Bauer, 2012;Hitch et al, 2012). In Australia, public funding for AT generally does not extend to UT such as computers and phones that can be customised with applications or modifications to facilitate communication (Layton et al, 2010).…”