We Can Learn From Others
by Sue Lasoff
I was fortunate to receive a grant to travel to the Scandinavian
countries and study Universal Design, or Design for All, as they
refer to it there. The definition of Universal Design is: The design
of consumer goods, physical environment, buildings, technology and
services to be usable by all people, regardless of age, size or ability.
I arrived at the airport in Oslo, Norway, and knew I was in the
land of good design. There were comfortable reclining seats with
padded head and foot rests for weary travelers, large visible glass
elevators with fold-down seats, signage with international symbols
understood by everyone regardless of reading or language ability
and very light maneuverable baggage carts. All the accessible unisex
bathrooms were very spacious, accommodating persons using wheelchairs,
travelers with baggage, or parents with children.
Many cities in Norway are striving towards achieving Design for
All, while maintaining the historic character of their old buildings.
The historic fronts are left standing, while the interiors are totally
renovated to create more functional and accessible spaces. Government
provides funding to communities working on universal planning, collaborates
with persons with disabilities and design professionals on this,
and reinforces the integration of Universal Design in schools that
educate design professionals.
Regarding housing, it has historically been the philosophy of the
Scandinavian countries that government should provide for all, and
that everyone should have their own comfortable home.
Residential facilities
for persons with disabilities and older adults had many universal
features, including: Individual apartments with accessible cooking
facilities and private entries for increased independence; 40" wide
doorways; large windows allowing for fresh air and sunlight; spacious
bathrooms without walls, partitions or steps, flexible grab bars,
and adjustable-height fixtures for both standing and seated persons.
A particular residence
for older adults with dementia used color and design exceptionally
well. Several buildings were on one site, but each ‘house’ was constructed of a different color
and material on the outside, giving the feeling of being in a ‘neighborhood.’ Each
house was divided into several wings or ‘streets,’ and
each street was identified by a different color which was repeated
in the hallway and at doorways. On the wall at each individual apartment
doorway, was the room number, resident’s name and photograph,
and personal nature symbol, all most pleasantly reassuring the person
that he or she was ‘home.’
Design in Scandinavia is integrated into the daily life of citizens.
Some examples:
• Automatic sliding doors everywhere, from shopping markets to
residential facilities, without buttons to operate or doors hazardously
swinging towards you;
• Lever handles on all doors;
• Outdoor plazas at residential facilities as well as public places,
offer something for everyone: Benches to rest on, sculpture to view
or touch, sensory gardens to experience, and playgrounds to explore.
We can learn much from people in other parts of the world. Go visit!
Susan Lasoff is an Occupational
Therapist & Accessibility Specialist.
