Projects

Project R1 – The Effectiveness of Universal Design in Practice

Project Lead: Gary Scott Danford, Ph.D.

Abstract: This project will complete research to evaluate the effectiveness of universally designed environmental features and provide evidence to support universal design guidelines. Effectiveness is defined as the degree to which a feature facilitates independence and social participation of end users. Ratings of simulated environments incorporating the features will provide a simple and inexpensive method that can be adopted widely in research to support improvements in design practice. Selected built elements will be studied to provide benchmark data on current practices. The methods also will be used to evaluate new products developed with industry partners as models of how they can be applied in product development activities.

Project R2 – Targeted Human Factors Studies for Design Practice

Project Coordinator: Victor Paquet, Sc.D.

Abstract: This project will provide new human factors information in areas in which there are critical gaps in knowledge needed for universal design. It includes a set of four studies that focus on different aspects of human performance and usability. Subproject R2.1 will study consumer product usability from a universal design perspective. Subproject R2.2 will investigate a key factor in visual performance and Subproject R2.3 will study cognitive performance, both in the context of universal design. Subproject R2.4 will examine human performance issues during extreme environmental conditions. While the ultimate goal of universal design is to consider the abilities of all in the development of products and environments, the subprojects emphasize understanding the performance of older adults. This user group provides a reasonable reference for which to test product or environmental designs, since age is associated with many different physical, sensory and cognitive limitations, and this user population will expand rapidly in the near future. In order to advance the practice of universal design, each of the subprojects is linked closely with one or more development projects in DV2 to ensure that the results translate into useful tools for designers, manufactures and builders to use in practicing universal design.

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Project DV1 – Evidence Based Guidelines for Universal Design

Project Lead: Edward Steinfeld, Arch.D

Abstract: This project will develop evidence based guidelines for applying universal design in practice. An evaluation tool will also be developed to help implement the guidelines effectively in planning, design and purchasing activities. The guidelines will link research to design practice and help designers, builders and manufacturers increase the value of their products and environments.

Project DV2 – Evaluation Tools

Project Coordinator: Jim Lenker, PhD., OTR/L, ATP

Abstract: A suite of evaluation tools for universal design practice will be developed based on the research methods used in the R2 projects. The tools will address current gaps in the evaluation methodologies available for universal design and give attention to critical mobility, sensory and cognitive performance concerns. DV2.1 will provide designers and manufacturers with tools for usability testing to systematically evaluate consumer products in terms of Principles of Universal Design. The feasibility of consumer product universal design certification will also be explored. DV2.2 will develop and test a method to monitor and record key visual performance behaviors of people using products and environments. Such data will provide useful reference information for designers to accommodate visual performance in their designs. DV2.3 will develop an automated assessment tool for evaluating usability of products and environmental features. The first application will focus on issues of cognitive performance in universal design. DV2.4 will develop an application of a full scale environment simulator for designers, builders and manufacturers to test design features of outdoor environments and outdoor products in winter conditions. DV2.5 will develop an innovative tool that will provide a new way for designers and other to evaluate environments and products from the perspective of people who use walkers.

Project DV3 – Design with Industry Partnerships

Project Co-Leads: Edward Steinfeld, Arch.D and Geoff Fernie, PhD., P.Eng

Abstract: The Design with Industry Partnerships Project will develop a series of universally designed products to be used in the built environment. The products will be designed with industry partners to ensure their adoption and introduction into the marketplace and to leverage RERC funding with corporate resources. Each product will introduce innovative solutions to design problems and develop breakthrough products in a specific industry. The products will all have a user centered focus that merges style, technology and value to maximize lifestyle impact, features, and ergonomics.
Subproject DV3.1: Intelligent Priority Parking Systems – an approach to priority parking that will increase choices for people with disabilities, provide more flexibility for building owners and address needs of all people who need or want convenient parking.
Subproject DV 3.2: Touch-Smart Navigation System – a new touch-based "smart modeling” technology currently being developed by Touch Graphics to a prototype navigation aid.
Subproject DV3.3: Universal Lift – a new type of lift to support the building market that can be easily installed, is less expensive, safe for ambulatory users, less visually intrusive than traditional platform lifts and ideal for traditional neighborhood developments.
Subproject DV3.4: Integrated Grab Bar System – grab bars that can be integrated with fixtures and cabinets to improve safety for all users, reduce the stigma of grab bars and lower the cost of bathroom modifications.
Subproject DV3.5: Future Partnerships – Winter Climate Interventions

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Training

Project Lead: Beth Tauke

Activity T1: Continuing Education

The IDEA Center has had a high demand for traditional CE programs and online certificate programs. Traditional CE courses fulfill the need for professionals to maintain licenses. Many professionals seek to further establish their credentials by obtaining certificates in specialization areas. A university-based certificate program using distance learning can fulfill their needs for credentials at low cost and at their own pace and schedule. The need for online distance education programs was highlighted by the participants in the Envisioning Universal Design workshop (NEA, 2004).

Activity T2: The University Education Consortium

Initiated by faculty affiliated with the IDEA Center, the University at Buffalo/SUNY, is the only school in the U.S. that offers formal concentrations in universal design. Building on the IDEA Center experience, the Consortium will organize a program of intensive mentoring, technical assistance and information sharing to member schools and outreach to other schools to develop a new generation of academic leaders in this interdisciplinary field. The initial Consortium members will include only professional design programs in the U.S, but will expand to other disciplines and countries over time. Faculty from six other schools have been recruited as founding members.

The initial activity will be to jointly develop a continuing education program on universal design for other faculty in the member departments and implement it at all member schools. This program will help to foster support to the young faculty members at the host schools. The IDEA Center developed a successful program in 2003 which will be used as a model. Each program will be lead by the host school change agent and tailored to the context and needs of the member school. A second set of initial activities will focus on developing collaborative relationships between faculty within the host departments and in other disciplines at the host schools who share similar teaching and research interests. Other disciplines that could be included are rehabilitation sciences, human factors, planning and business. Future activities will be based on the priorities of the member schools but could include mentorship on fundraising, advice on how to involve people with disabilities, curriculum development, presentations to their peers, and joint travel programs. As emerging programs become established, the initial members will become mentors themselves and recruit a new wave of programs. Further activities will be developed by the Consortium as a whole and supported through outside funding.

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Activity T4: Advanced Graduate Education

Graduate education for advanced students is a key method for advancing capacity in universal design. The RERC will make use of three Master’s programs and two PhD programs at the University at Buffalo to recruit and train researchers in universal design. PhD students are particularly important to advance scholarship and research. The RERC will help recruit graduate students to four departments: Architecture, Planning, Industrial Engineering (Human Factors) and Rehabilitation Sciences. There are Master’s level concentrations established in the first three departments and PhD programs in the latter two. We will coordinate advanced training opportunities with the use of international scholar programs like the Fulbright Program and outreach to universities in other countries.

Dissemination
Project Co-Leads: Beth Tauke and Danise Levine

D1: Online Information Clearinghouse

The Online Information Clearinghouse will include the RERC website, all digital RERC publications and all information databases available for outside access. It will support and address the current and future anticipated needs of all of our target populations. D1 will employ appropriate digital technologies to provide all stakeholders with timely, easily accessible web-based information about our activities. The Clearinghouse interface will provide links to resources that range in scope from highly-scientific data required by other researchers to practical information requested by the public and news requested by the media. It will also provide access to our publications when they appear on full-text databases such as COS or JSTOR.

D2: Print Media

A cascading system of publications will be used to reach the target populations for dissemination. Research and Development projects will produce peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers and presentations as the prime means to chronicle the progress, findings and outcomes of our research and development activities to academic audiences. From these scientific publications, or, in preparation for writing them, we will produce shorter R&D Briefs and Powerpoint presentations of interest to the professions and the public. These will be available in the Clearinghouse and also marketed as the basis for articles in trade journals and popular magazines.

D3: Special Interest Groups

Working together with our partners, we will continue building a community of interest around universal design. Our Advisory Panel Chairpersons will select Advisory Panel members who are particularly suited to act as change agents within their existing social networks. RERC staff will support them to develop special interest groups within their professional and consumer organizations and informal networks in which they are already active. Support will include arranging teleconferences and discussion boards to plan events and discuss strategy, preparing Powerpoint presentations, brochures, handouts and other materials and travel scholarships to help reach a wider number of groups.

D4: Model Homes

Providing all stakeholders, including consumers and consumer advocates, with an opportunity to experience universal design directly is a key means toward developing consumer demand. In a collaborative effort with local chapters of the National Association of Home Builders, Rebuilding Together, local consumer groups and other builder organizations, the RERC will provide technical assistance and design expertise to build universally designed homes and home renovations for local homes shows. The RERC will participate in 8-10 new model home demonstrations in the 5 year grant cycle distributed around the U.S. We will coordinate with local community groups, Independent Living Centers, human service agencies, senior centers and others to recruit consumers and professionals to participate in free guided tours and evaluation of each completed project. The RERC will use the newly constructed model homes to educate builders and consumers, as well as to gather data on costs, consumer perceptions, and successful and unsuccessful applications of inclusive design.

D5: State of the Science Conference

A major dissemination activity will be the required State of the Science (SOS) conference to be held in Year 3. The SOS Conference will focus on both research and the practice of universal design in community infrastructures, public buildings, housing and products used in buildings. Research topics will include effectiveness research, human factors research, methods development, evaluation research and theory. Practice topics will include evidence based guidelines, evaluation tools and best practice examples of buildings, homes and products.

D6: Guidelines for Smart Products in the Home

This subproject will develop a specific application of the Evidence Based Guidelines (DV1) targeted to companies that sell services to consumers based on broadband access and smart technologies. It will address the need for technology related industries to adopt universal design in their new product initiatives. The growth of broadband access to the home and smart technologies that take advantage of connectivity are driving the development of many services and related products, e.g. home monitoring services, security systems, and video recording devices. Most of these service oriented companies use products developed by other manufacturers to deliver their services. Thus, as major purchasers of products, they can be a force for persuading manufacturers to incorporate universal design in product development.