Universal Design Travel

Travel time is upon us and there is much about travel that is not very universally designed. These are a few things to consider prior to travel that should make your trip easier whether you are traveling alone, with kids, a pet, an elderly parent, or having to consider the needs of someone with a disability.

Planning Ahead
If you are not one of the able-bodied that our world designs for, you’ll want to plan ahead and think through all the steps to get from your front door to the door of your destination. Cars, taxis, trains, planes and buses, how will you get in and out with strollers, crutches, heavy bags, little children, etc. Are any phases of travel too long? Will you have ample time to connect? Will what you need be there when you arrive? What if you are traveling at odd hours? Will you need extra time or other special considerations such as diet or medications? Vaccinations? And hey, how’s the water? Are laws different in the country of destination? What about health care? Maybe bring a translation card with the major words you’ll need in the other languages. What will the weather be and what to bring. Crazy things come up for example you can bring your scooter but not the battery, or, no spare parts where you are going. Do your research too, some services are better than others.

Be Assertive
Start by letting the carriers and hosts know of your needs. In many cases there are laws in place to guarantee your rights (although these are not often obvious). Know as much as you can about your trip and needs, knowledge is power. You can request copies of the travel policies to help you get what you need. Finally, more destinations are possible than ever before; don’t let a few discouraging words stop you.

Extra Lead Time
Book your trip way in advance so as to get the best that is available so as to make your trip as pleasant as possible. You can get better deals too. Try to have your travel be as direct as possible.

Ask Around
Word of mouth is probably your best source of information about a destination and getting there. Don’t let this be your only source, but you are likely to hear about issues not mentioned in the promotional literature.

Some Helpful Links:
The Independent Traveler
Survival Strategies for Going Abroad:A Guide for People with Disabilities


Konrad Kaletsch
www.Universal Design Resource.com

This blog, and many more, is located at Universal Design Resource along with many additional resources.

Steve Jobs

For all of us there is never just one starting point, one missed opportunity that is lost and never recovered. It is always a string of beginning moments, there is always a time to start anew, always a chance to step into a new vision. As with many of us, I am so moved by his passing. I am reminded again of how easily we take the living for granted and only when they are gone, when they have no chances to wonder us one more time, that we realize the depth of their contribution.

Steve Jobs began in a garage with a buddy and a vision, no silver spoon, no fancy college diploma, just a $1000 loan from his mother. The legacy half a century later wasn’t just the high standards he created for his products and his ability to make the very complex user friendly, it was that he ushered in a generation of people who hold a higher ground for the products they use and the lives they lead. It really isn’t about the lowest cost, or appealing to the widest consumer audience, it’s about value. It is to be inspired and driven by creating something of value, something that will serve and benefit another person.

Universal access was among so many areas that Jobs pioneered for the computer user. Today a Mac can be adjusted to assist with image and text magnification, voice over, contrast control, visual (not just auditory) indicators, sticky and slow key settings, mouse and trackpad controls, and pairing with other assistive devices. Jobs saw us as humans, not consumers.


Konrad Kaletsch
www.Universal Design Resource.com