@ http://adalive.org
Attendees: @Kurt
Episode 39: Universal Design, Accessibility, and the ADA
Michael Rotella, Associate Director, Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC)
Diana Foote, Executive Director of the Global Universal Design Commission & Director of Operations & Business Manager, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University
Universal Design is changing the world we live in by making buildings, products and environments that are accessible to all - people with disabilities and those without disabilities. In this episode, Diana Foote, Executive Director of the Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC), and Michael Rotella, GUDC Associate Director, will define Universal Design (UD) and provide some examples. They will also discuss the benefits of Universal Design and identify how it benefits a wide range of people. They will also explain how Universal Design differs from building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Global Universal Design Commission, Inc., (GUDC) a not-for-profit corporation, was established to develop Universal Design (UD) standards for buildings, products and services. GUDC is currently developing UD voluntary consensus standards for commercial buildings, which will expand access to buildings for all people, regardless of physical stature and varying abilities. The approved UD standards will guide corporations and government entities in the creation of barrier-free facilities, providing diverse users with access to commerce, public services, entertainment and employment opportunities.
