Universal Design and The New ADA/ABA Guidelines
Instructors: Cynthia A. Leibrock and James Evan Terry

There has never been a better time to update your skills in universal design and standards compliance. This year a major revision in the design guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities and Architectural Barriers Acts is changing the way private and government buildings are designed (and the professional responsibilities of the designers). When adopted by the Department of Justice, this will replace the UFAS and the ADA Standards.

At the same time, consumer demand for universal design is increasing. A diverse aging population is remaining in the workplace. They are requiring accommodation to do so. Customers of all ages, sizes, and abilities are demanding products, housing and public spaces to meet their needs. Patients are being empowered by accessible health design to take responsibility for their own health. Employers are using universal design to reduce Workmen's Compensation claims and threats of litigation.

The course offers a thorough presentation of the revised design guidelines, then goes on to propose universal design solutions with measurable benefits for your clients. Learn about universal design research including the latest findings from Japan and Northern Europe. Question guest lecturers from the U.S. Access Board and the Department of Justice. Research your design specialty on a field trip to the comprehensive universal design library at Adaptive Environments.

Whether you are a code specialist, a contract designer with a diverse clientele, a residential interior designer, a facility manager, an architect targeting a specific market, or a project manager, the instructors will customize the course to meet your needs. Pre-conference materials will be mailed to you including an analysis of the new guidelines, a white paper on universal design and safety, and a questionnaire for completion before the course. You will be asked to select from a variety of case studies including banks, healthcare facilities, assisted living, residential projects, historic properties, hospitality projects, schools, and more. The instructors will then choose from over ten thousand images and from research gathered over thirty years to tailor the course to your areas of interest. You will leave the course with an increased ability to truly meet the diverse needs of the clients you serve.