Trends in Universal Design

Carrot and Stick Alongside the need to change economic ­perceptions is an equally important need for practical demonstrations of commitment to and belief in accessibility as a non-negotiable condition of public funding at international, national and local levels.

The United Nations Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities makes clear and explicit reference to the need to follow Universal Design principles. Article 4 requires signatories to: “undertake or promote research and development of universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities ............ and to promote their availability and use, and to promote universal design in the development of standards and guidelines”. And yet in many countries that are signatories to the Convention there is little evidence to date of this concept being embraced widely, if at all.

There is some evidence of good practice.

For example, the European Commission makes

­designers and engineers – to qualify and ­practice without any knowledge or understanding of accessibility issues. This gap in understanding means that every day plans are drawn up, buildings constructed and transport systems authorised with life spans of decades or more, but without the automatic and non-negotiable inclusion of Universal Design principles.

Introducing accessibility in general and

­Universal Design in particular, as an integral and compulsory part of professional training would make a significant contribution to changing the shape of our future environments for the better. In particular it would help to ­ensure that older people would no longer face the trauma and upheaval of relocating or giving up their own homes because the buildings, transport systems and environment around them lack the flexibility to meet their changing needs.

Monitoring and Evaluation

a clear link between availability of its Structural

In the meantime, there is a need for constant

and Cohesion funds to finance major infrastruc­

vigilance and monitoring of infrastructure

ture projects and an understanding of principals

­projects and all other major public investment.

of mainstreaming and inclusion. However, such

There are so many examples across the world

commitments are still the exception rather

of poor design resulting in limited accessibility.

than the rule. The World Bank, for example,

This means that older and disabled people are

sometimes makes a link between funding and

either excluded from the shopping mall, hotel

accessibility but not on a routine basis.

or railway station or they have to be accommodated through some separate or special arrange­

Training

ment that is both costly and undignified.

One of the simplest and most cost effective ways to bridge the gap between theory and practice in delivering Universal Design solutions is by training.

It is currently possible for most professionals

in most countries – architects, planners,

62

Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice

­Accessing a restaurant via the kitchens or a public building by means of the goods lift are everyday experiences for many people with disabilities.

Evaluating how well access solutions are

working is also vital. There are too many examples of ticking the accessibility box without taking