Universal Design: Relocation!

Thank-you blogspot. Time to move. Universal Design 2010 is moving to a new home. Come back for the official announcement and to be directed to the new website. This content will remain here and also be recorded at the new website.

My many thanks to those who have visited and taken this possibility of a easier living into real life and into your homes.

UPDATE: Bumps on the road ... the new website is launching in early February. The link to it, Universal Design Resource, will remain the same.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
November 24, 2009
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Universal Design: Grandfather

Grandfather was an old Apache scout.

He didn’t see a planet heading into a long and bright future. He wasn’t a 2012’er either. He stretched the as-is timeline to about 2030; that’s when there’s nothing left … nothing. For an Apache, this wasn’t quite so foreboding. They didn’t live out of supermarkets and depend on fossil fuel. They were caretakers. They lived in harmony with nature and honored the Creator. They knew how to survive.

I am more optimistic about the future than Grandfather. There’s work to be done at every level. The old model doesn’t work. Actually, it never was a model. Much of our industrial past was a series of stumbles. Now, it’s time for a model, a well-designed model. It has to be tight – no wiggle room. It’s possible. It’s global.

Universal design is one small piece in the new model of human existence. It’s one that belongs to a larger area of respect for ourselves and our resources, one that’s been worn down over the last century. Universal design launches us on a journey that takes us back to our birthright as caretakers of the planet. No longer are homes a disposable blithe upon the land. They are valued places. We build them to thrive; they are shelter.

When you consider universal design, go beyond the how and the how much. Consider the why. Consider its purpose and usefulness. Consider how it fits into a larger design of living in harmony with nature. Consider its value. For Grandfather, shelter was more simple, more pure. Perhaps we can and will get there again. For now, universal design is a step in the right direction.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
November 24, 2009
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Universal Design: I Owe You

Warning: This blog entry has strong moral overtones.

I just watched the documentary, I.O.U.S.A. It’s about our nation’s economy. What’s clear is that we don’t need a terrorist hiding in a cave or a rouge dictator to wipe out this great country, we’re doing a fine job by ourselves.

The documentary is a clean non-partisan look at our financial behavior, as individuals and as a country, and the almost certain future it will produce. Aside from the looming financial tsunami, there is a moral behavior that is deplorable. It is a lack of concern for our kids and the generations that follow. Instead of leaving them a little something to make their life easier, we are handing over a crisis, “hate to eat and run, but…”

After watching this easy to understand documentary (wow, I do understand fiscal policy), I felt an urge to drop my zeal for universal design and switch over to their wake-up agenda. I won’t. Universal design matters. Them, me and many more are waking-up in many areas of life. Sustainable people, spiritual people, health people: they are all realizing that we have to make changes and fast. Consciousness is shifting. We want the generations after us to have a good life.

Watch the movie; get the message. The website gives a short 30-minute version.

My appreciation to David Walker and his Peter G. Peterson Foundation and Bob Bixby and his Concord Coalition; thank-you for your tireless and bold leadership.

And, make your home universal design; leave a legacy.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
November 12, 2009
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Universal Design: The Walk-In Tub … Brrrr

Not every idea touted as universal design makes sense.

The walk-in bathtub is one example. Do you know the one I’m talking about? The picture in the advertisement shows a young 60-ish and happy guy or gal in their bathrobe stepping in or out of the tub through a door, pleased with the ease with which they can once again take a bath.

Sure, navigating a bathtub side-wall can be difficult. Issues of strength and balance make it treacherous. Falling, as a result, is not uncommon. A doorway through the sidewall of the tub isn’t a bad solution, it’s just that while it solves one problem, it raises another … burr, cold! The advertisement doesn’t show the user sitting in the tub waiting for it to fill; this bathtub design can’t have water in it with the door open! It also doesn’t show the user sitting in the tub waiting for it to empty. Finally, it doesn’t show how it helps a person who might be transferring into the tub from a seated position. Why? Because the seated user, probably someone who uses a wheel chair, needs a raised bathtub if this door in the sidewall is going to work.

Conclusion: replacing your bathtub with a walk-in is expensive and will not have you smiling like those people in the advertisement.

Solution #1: Keep your existing tub; make other modifications that will ease its use. Add grab bars where they can be grabbed while entering and exiting the tub. Consider the ceiling-to-floor “fireman pole” grab bars that can be placed just outside the tub. Remove obstacles such as shower doors and their tracks (replace with a shower curtain). Put a transfer seat next to the tub. Put a seat in the tub – maybe the kind that electrically raises and lowers.

Solution #2: Ship the tub; replace with roll-in shower. Taking baths are more physically challenging than showers. Thus, when only one is possible, favor the shower. Have a no-threshold entry and a seat.

Solution #3: Get the walk-in tub, but not just any model, get the one that is elevated so the bottom of the seat is at the same height as a wheelchair. And finally, ask for fast fill and fast drain models thereby minimizing the “brrr” factor.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
November 6, 2009
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Universal Design: Destination or Journey - Part II

In May 2008, I wrote the following:

“One day, there will be the ultimate universal design handbook. It will have well conceived answers to every design quandary, each achieved cost effectively and with elegance. No. That would be as if universal design was a destination, a place we arrive at where solutions were the intention of its creation. This notion that a checklist can be created pervades the present consciousness of legislators and building inspectors alike. We will have measures by which we can recognize the effectiveness of our solutions, however, what brings us closer is when universal design is understood as a journey.”

Well, the path on that journey has a hic-up. Builders want help. They are beginning to get that universal design will make a difference and they want to include it. They want specifications. But, the best they got right now is a few principles, ADA code, and some local building codes. They want and need more. Here’s an example from my forthcoming book about universal design.

In it, I write about flooring. To shinny means extra slippery when wet. It means more work to keep that nice shine. It means glare from reflected light. And, it means seeing the underside of furniture and into ceiling light fixtures. I suggest matte finished floors. Less slippery, less frequent cleaning, no glare, and no undersides. Makes sense? Of course! But the builder wants to know exactly where in that spectrum between shinny and matte is the dividing line that says everything over here is to shinny and everything over here is matte. He wants to ask the floor manufacturer if the floor he wants to use is to shinny or matte enough. There are no universal design spec’s to make this exchange possible.

Can universal design remain an open and evolving discussion constantly improving without becoming rigid and bogged down by bureaucracy? It’s a fine line, and it’s time to try it out. I hear Commissioner Matthew Sapolin at the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in New York City is putting the finishing touches on such a guideline. I applaud his work and look forward to the results. His success is a step toward a universal design world that is simultaneously evolving and improving, and is also guided by distinct specifications.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
October 29, 2009
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Universal Design: Emergency Planning

We know the emergency prep basics but what would make them more universal design? The short answer is, not much. If you have a universal design environment, you’re in good shape. Where emergency planning might be more universal design is in its thorough application and in you actually being prepared.

Emergency preparedness is like flossing: we know what it is and how to do it, but, we don’t. My favorite guideline for flossing is this, floss only the teeth you want to keep. Emergency planning is the same, prepare for the lives you want to keep. Below are a few additional emergency considerations that you would consider.

Medications: Have ample supply – at least 5 days. Find out if, where and how you would get refills.
Medical Records: Your medical info, including doctors can be kept on portable media be it a flash drive, CD or even a SmartPhone. Don’t leave without this life saving info.
Outbreaks: Yikes! But, yes, they are a potential emergency that you might have to respond to. Have your masks and other protective equipment including safe practices.
Home Care: If you have home care, how does your emergency plans mesh with theirs – would they be there to help you? If not, what’s your contingency plan? Who else knows how to operate your equipment or organize your meds?
Priority Care: In some places, utility companies can register you as a priority care customer, one whose services are restored sooner typically because you rely on specialized equipment.
Evacuation: If you will have to evacuate, how far will you have to go, who will go with you, how will you go, and what accommodations will be available when you get there? Make sure enough people know you and will check in to see that you are on your way to safety. If there is time, lock up.
Go-Bag: Remember at the end of pregnancy you had your hospital bag by the door? Same thing, it’s a bag with essentials ready to go: copies of important documents and keys, cash, credit and ATM card duplicates, supply of water and food, radio, food, flashlight, batteries, appropriate cloths and footwear, contact info, medical info, hygiene, animal supplies, and personal info card.
Stay-Put Emergencies: Some emergencies are best survived by staying put. Have fuel, food, meds, water, first aid, etc. to survive 5 days or more.
Meeting Points: Prearrange meeting points with families, friends and caregivers. Have a nearby point for local emergencies and far away ones when escaping larger disasters such as hurricanes. Leave a trail, meaning, make it possible for others to find you by leaving messages. If heading for a disaster shelter, bring everything; if that’s not possible, bring any special equipment or medicine.
Egress: Maybe you can only use one entrance because another one has become difficult or impossible. If a disaster blocks one entrance, what are your alternatives? Make sure you can get out fast; practice. Get that non-functioning entrance to work. For office and apartment buildings, not only learn the evacuation procedure but take advantage of building and floor marshals by alerting them to any special needs (or your willingness to look after someone else). If you can’t get yourself out, have a refuge spot where it’s safer to wait until help arrives.
Communication: Don’t count on that cell phone. It might work, but what’s your contingency plan if it doesn’t? If it does work, how will you keep it charged? Have a radio; either have lots of batteries or a hand-crank model (some can charge a cell phone). Stay tuned!
Fuel: Have enough. For a generator, have at least 5 days – more if you are in an excessively cold or hot environment or if you depend on life supporting equipment. When evacuating, have plenty of gas for the car.
Pets: Plan for their needs. Have an info chip inserted into your pet. These are safer and more effective in reuniting you with your pet.
Nature: Do you live in a naturally volatile area? Hurricanes? Earthquakes? Tornados? Blizzards? How about volcanoes? Each poses it’s own set of survival criteria. Reach out to local resources, discover what you need to survive, and get the supplies and the plan.
Disabilities: What’s yours? What will you need? Who will help or understand?
Children: Just like the airplane, take care of your well-being first so that you are strong enough to take care of them.
Cash: Don’t count on ATM’s; have plenty of cash for an emergency.

Did I miss anything? Sure I did. This isn’t a complete list. Go local for a complete list. Check with your government resources, AARP, Red Cross and other organizations that you are connected to that either have resources or can direct you. Take notes from this list. Keep questions handy and get answers. And finally, do it – be prepared.



Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
October 23, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Driving

For most Americans, driving is the primary access to a world beyond our doors. It gets us to work, it gets the kids to school, it helps us shop, go to worship and socialize. When driving isn’t an option, chances are you just entered a different world called isolation.

The automobile is amazing and highly effective. We can afford them, and it serves us all pretty well. A large number of physical limitations do not affect our ability to drive, as a result we continue to be mobile. So, what universal design consideration would you have, or not have, in your automotive experience that would extend the usefulness of your car?

….. Shelter ..... Have a garage or carport – get out from the worst weather in order to ease the operations of getting yourself or your stuff in and out of the car.
….. Good Connectors ..... Once out of your car, now have a trouble free journey to an accessible floor. This could be a connector door from the garage to the house or a pathway. In any case, there would be no steps, no thresholds greater than half an inch, no obstacles, ample lighting and railings. You’ll get bikes off the car and inside easier, you can put your groceries on a cart and wheel them in to the kitchen, strollers won’t need that risky maneuver when you hoist them with a sleeping child up a few steps and, you can host visitors of all abilities.
….. Go Wireless ..... Take advantage of remotes to not only open garage doors but to turn on lights, operate video intercoms and open driveway gates.
….. The Garage ..... Taller, longer, wider. Ever hear someone complain about a garage that was too big? With a larger space you’ll have not only ample room for stuff, but should you ever need it, that room accommodates a scooter carrier that’s on the back of the car, a bike rack or a wider aisle for walkers and wheelchairs.
….. Distractions ..... Watch out! Talking on the cell phone while changing songs while the kids go nuts while you eat lunch while you drive doesn’t have a good outcome. Maybe, I said maybe, there is some magical time in your life where all that seems possible, but, consider that driving is enough by itself and when handled responsibly, it means you and everyone else gets home safe. As you move through life’s cycles, be aware that focusing on the task at hand might require more concentration than in the past. Put the gadgets away.
….. Traffic Conditions ..... Newer traffic patterns are easier to understand, provide longer reaction times, and require less aggressive behavior. In short, they are less confusing and stressful. However older traffic patterns require quicker responses, have narrower lanes and can be enormously confusing. When relocating, consider the road qualities – are they easier than what you are used to or harder?
….. Public Transportation ..... When you loose your wheels, what next? Consider your alternatives in advance. Could you walk? What can be delivered? How close is the bus stop? Are there taxis and can you afford them? What about good Samaritans?
….. Medications ..... Pay attention! Your doctors might not have a full picture of what else you are taking in addition to what they have just prescribed. Ask lots of questions; read the label; have someone help you as soon as you don’t understand the effect of your medicine. On the road isn’t a good time to find out you’re not feeling too hot.
….. Eyeglasses ..... Wear them.
….. Hearing ..... Keep the volume down. Use your ears to help you be a better driver.
….. Your Car ..... What will you need? Don’t settle for anything the dealer tries to sell you. Often he isn’t even aware of the developments his company is up to in this emerging and soon to be competitive market of universal design. Go to the company website and see what they offer. Check into tax rebates. Before you close any deal, look at your aftermarket modifications. What will you need? Who will make the modification for you? Talk to them first and make sure the car you want is a car they can modify to your specs.

And finally, when is it time to hang up the keys for good? More warnings and tickets, forgetting where you parked, increase in dents and scratches, close calls, stress while driving, changing health, avoiding night driving – these are all indications that it’s time to stop. Easy you say. No. But, putting it off won’t help either. Instead, plan early. Begin a transition toward a carless life. Get used to alternate means of getting around; try them out. Make the transition gradual and planned – don’t wait for the abrupt change sometimes compounded by a crisis.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
October 20, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Geriatric Planning

With forethought and planning, you can recognize and then optimize the ability to enjoy life, reduce chances of hospitalization or institutionalization, and continue independent living. This might be for yourself or for someone you care for such as a parent, spouse or sibling. Consider this endeavor as meaningful as having a life savings and a fully paid mortgage.

Where To Begin:
--- Start with an overview: Are there changes in physical or mental health? What medications are being taken, and as directed? Daily living skills – any area becoming a concern such as meal prep or phone use? Personal hygiene? Home and community safety? Finances? Social contact? And, engagement with day-to-day living?
--- If you are the care provider, check in with yourself, how are you managing? Has the responsibility of care become stressful?
--- If you are renovating, building or relocating, this is an excellent time to build for future need (it’s pennies on the dollar).
--- Finally, search the internet using the term, “geriatric case manager” or “geriatric assessment.” This will help launch you into what will be a collaborative process with a knowledgeable and experienced specialist who will support you in the planning and implementation tailored to your needs. Costs vary from $50 - $200 per hour (typically an out-of-pocket expense). This initial expense buys long-term savings achieved through efficiency and cost-effective solutions.

What Will Be Considered:
--- You and your manager will discuss care-planning based on present need, anticipated need, cost, quality, benefit eligibility, legal considerations, confidentiality, advocacy, resources, scheduling, monitoring and implementation. The purpose is to optimize the maximum level of wellness both in the present and in the future.

What You Want To Verify:
--- Determine your own needs: consultation, assessment or ongoing care.
--- Before hiring a geriatric planning agency or individual, discuss the following: certification, cost (immediate and ongoing), availability, other credentials and experience, your specific needs, resource network and references. A word of caution: this is a fast growing business with minimal consumer protection.

Helpful Websites:
--- National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
--- AARP (articles and links)
--- Family Caregivers Alliance


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
October 9, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Education Saved The Day

Long, long ago, in a distant galaxy, around 2006, a Google search for universal design would give you under three million results. Today, it’s 41,200,000! This is a fast growing field as we prepare for a planet with an older population. Students considering career choices: look into universal design! This is for those of you who wish to be an early adopter and position yourself at the front of the curve – a simple advantage that only requires you to start soon. Great opportunity to innovate and make a difference for a huge number of people. Below are your first stop educational resources:

The MIT Age Lab
Inventing new ideas to improve the quality of life for older adults and those who care for them by translating technology into practical solutions. Satisfy your curiosity about unusual ways they are applying technology to aging and independent living. See their overview on YouTube.

IDeA, The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
"IDeA is dedicated to making environments and products more usable, safer and healthier in response to the needs of an increasingly diverse population." The primary goal is to produce knowledge and tools that will increase social participation of groups who have been marginalized by traditional design practices. Universal Design E-World is their new web focused endeavor.

Universal Design Education Online
"This web site supports the teaching and study of universal design. It also provides a place where educators can interact with each other. The site features a variety of materials for a range of disciplines, levels, and interests including: Instructional, content resources, writings, bibliography and external links."

The Universal Design Alliance
A non-profit corporation founded in March of 2003 ... to create awareness and expand the public's knowledge of universal design. Ud to date news, training opportunities and publications.

TRACE
Part of the Research & Development Center at the College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Trace develops and adapts "emerging information and telecommunication technologies, in order to create a world that is as accessible and usable as possible for as many people as possible."

The Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access (CATEA)
Development, evaluation, and utilization of assistive technology; and, design and development of accessible environments. CATEA is a unit of the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

CAST
"A nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning."

The Center for Universal Design in Education at the University of Washington
"CUDE develops and collects Web-based resources to help educators apply universal design to all aspects of the educational experience: instruction, student services, information technology, and physical spaces. Try the Online Tutorial to learn more about the history, definition, applications and principles of universal design. Great knowledge base.

Universal Design Education Project at the University of Oregon
Working with the Center for Human Centered Design (Adaptive Environments), UDEP works toward merging universal design values into traditional classrooms.

The Center for Universal Design (CUD) at North Carolina State University
A national information, technical assistance, and research center that evaluates, develops, and promotes accessible and universal design in housing, commercial and public facilities, outdoor environments, and products. Our mission is to improve environments and products through design innovation, research, education and design assistance. This is where Ron Mace and universal design began; today, they are still one the best enterprises.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
September 30, 2009
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Universal Design: New Videos from Ohio State

Welcomed videos from Ohio State's Universal Design team!

Check out the 5-part series on YouTube; rather than get too technical, it provides more of an impression of why you might want to include it in your next renovation project. They use a house opening party to walk you a few of the home’s features. It reinforces a sense that this is simply a better way to approach design.

Part 1 – Introduction
2:00 minutes
Part 2 - Designs for your Changing Family
3:47 minutes
Part 3 - Design Within Reach
1:02 minutes
Part 4 -Designs for All Ages and Abilities
4:24 minutes
Part 5 - End Credits
1:21 minutes


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
September 25, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Technology

What are some of the technologies that support universal design (and aging-in-place)?

PERS (personal emergency response system): These are those medical devices that you wear at home that link to a central station where help can be dispatched quickly; these little devices give you and loved ones great peace of mind … if you wear them and are conscious and able enough to push the button.

GPS (global positioning system): My teenager is zipping off on a new dirt bike; he doesn’t have to work hard to find trouble. If he’s as little as one mile away and something happens, I got a tough job tracking him down. A GPS gadget saves the day. I can go with one of the pet dog models that sends a constant signal to a handheld, or, I can get two handsets that are linked. Now, I know where he is and can rescue him quickly.

Computer Check-in: A person logs onto a site and uploads their condition; this can be as simple as, “I’m fine today,” to, “I took a, b and c meds this morning and ate x, y and c for breakfast.” One can marry the computer to a device such as a blood pressure monitor thus eliminating trips to the doctor.

Telehealth or Telemedicine: Automatic devices installed in the home and connected via internet or phone can monitor and in some cases predict your status leading to faster help or preemptive actions. For example, a sensor watches for very sudden movement suggesting that a fall might have taken place. These devices tend to serve very specific purposes and locations; it is important to apply them appropriately otherwise they become an ignored or turned off gadget (think about that smoke detector in the kitchen with its battery removed). Other systems involve your activity on a computer doing some fun exercise while in the background a program monitors your behavior catching noticeable shifts.

Wii: Yes, guess what? This electronic toy is finding greater success among adults than kids! Improve hand-to-eye coordination, heart health, balance and metabolism, AND, have fun. I hear of World Cup championships taking place in senior homes.

Remote Socializing: The computer is also an excellent social tool. I knew one grandparent who had zero interest in learning the computer. One day she saw Skype, a free internet telephone and videophone application, and she got hooked. She talks to her grandkids every night closing a physical distance of many thousand miles.

Improved design, performance and availability: Many gadgets were a disaster. A bathroom hoist designed to move you from a wheelchair to a bathtub used to be a nightmare. It was expensive, cumbersome and not safe or user friendly. Today they can be incorporated into a home appearing almost invisible, wirelessly controlled, and elegant to use.

RFID: That scratchy plastic thing you discover halfway through wearing a new shirt? It’s a radio frequency tag. Right now, it’s mostly about you not leaving the store with an unpurchased item. But soon, you will just walk out minus standing at the check-out. That radio frequency ID tag is on every item in your shopping cart and in your credit card. It all gets scanned on your way out. In your home, you’ll see applications that generate your grocery list, or, in some cases, your grocery list automatically goes to the store and generates a delivery. Never run out of milk? How about that!

Remote Controls: The oldest remote control in our home was the thermostat. Right? That was it (oh, maybe a day/night light switch for you early adopters). Now, we have a remote for everything! Expect this trend to continue, as more and more home actions will be controlled remotely. This will include lighting, improved temperature control, hands-free communication, entry and alarm systems, cooking operations, etc. (although I hope they start to improve the design of the remotes for intuitive understanding and clear function control).

As we look to the future, let’s not forget past technology that already entered our culture as a result of meeting the needs of people who were/are not fully able-bodied. These include close captioning on your TV. Originally for the deaf, it now allows a much greater number of users to watch TV in a noisy location such as an airport or bar. Luggage on wheels, speakerphones, garage door openers, ramps and people movers all were made to help a few and in turn helped us all. This very much is the spirit of universal design.

In closing, don’t forget about the many low-tech applications of universal design, simple things like a bench outside your front door. It’s the experience of independent living that brings joy, not another gadget.



Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
September 23, 2009
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Universal Design: Born Again

Have you raised a child?

I often wonder what I learned in school that was so great: geometry, endless history, exotic authors, extreme science? After years of school there was so much practical stuff that I didn’t know: how to cook, nutrition, conflict resolution, and child rearing. Simply bizarre, even absurd, that it was assumed that I would instinctually know what to do when shepherding a little being along the path to adulthood. Well, the good thing about school is that I did learn where to find information – the library!

If you raised a child and went to the library to find out how, you would encounter a tsunami of information. The same is true in a bookstore – aisles of books. On the internet, fogedaboutit! When bringing a newborn home from the hospital, there are tons (literally) of information.

There is another time when we bring a being either into our home or into our neighborhood; it’s when we have a parent who would benefit from the extra care we can provide when they are close by. What prepares us for this? Nothing. So, back to the library (bookstore or internet). Woops! Slight problem – no information! No tons of books on the topic – not even one pound!

I’m all about universal design and advocating its wide adoption. I have the books – most of them. They occupy a whopping 15 inches on my bookshelf! That’s it, and, many are out of print. I’ve bookmarked the websites on this topic, same deal – just a handful. You are gonna stumble when trying to get useful information – chances are you don't know where to start (hint: Universal Design Resource and AARP).

OK, we do have more babies than we have parents moving back close to home. But, this is changing. Demographic and economic factors are rapidly putting us sandwichers into barely getting one being out of the house when another comes in. And so it is. But, this absence of info makes it really hard. I have to make every mistake the person did before me and those that follow will have to repeat my mistakes. Meanwhile there is all the suffering that comes as a result of an ill prepared transition.

So, that’s the way it is for now. Change will come and authors will step up to meet this rising demand for good advice. There will be a Dr. Spock for adults caring for their elders. For now, hang in there. Write a blog, share your experience, join a support group. I’m busy finishing a book on universal design and in it is a section that addresses this concern. You’ll get some help evaluating a house or apartment, a neighborhood and how to transition a full and complete life including social connections and medical ones. If you have thoughts to share, please contact me or post a comment.



Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
September 11, 2009
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Universal Design: A Pet Cat?

Parents of young children sometimes find themselves facing the pet cat question. They never had a cat, they never wanted a cat, but now their child is begging for one. In private, the parents discuss the pros and cons. Well, the cat needs to be fed, taken to the vet and the litter box has to be cleaned. We’ll have to think about relatives who are allergic to cats and we’ll have some added planning for the cat when we take vacations. On the other hand, the cat will make our child so happy and perhaps offer valuable lessons about caring and compassion.

The pet cat discussion is a little like universal design. You didn’t really plan on it but a new reality has it showing up as something to discuss. There are pro’s and cons of course. It adds another layer to planning and building, there is an added cost even though it’s small and you might have a hard time getting others to agree. On the other hand, universal design will make our society better and perhaps offer valuable lessons about caring and compassion.



Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
August 31, 2009
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Universal Design: Euthanasia

Today’s partisan politics is like a bad marriage. The couple no longer communicates; instead, they undermine each other’s intentions by using any opposing position, even when it doesn’t support their own agenda.

President Obama wants to improve our health care system. He doesn’t have a perfect solution – it’s a work in progress. But, he knows it needs to change because the future of health care, if left at its present course, will be massive failure. Those opposing him are suggesting anything negative that could undermine his intentions and tear apart any chance at success. The easiest undermining technique is fear. The fear being injected into his efforts, pardon the pun, is euthanasia.

We know that Obama never suggested euthanasia as a part of his health care plan, but could it become inevitable? Societies in the past have, at times, included euthanasia. What drove them to adopting that practice? Economics. How does our USA economics look? Ahem.

Switching focus for a moment to our own lives: To varying degrees, we either move toward a desired result or avoid an unwanted one. When we plan well and execute well (pardon the pun, again), we have what we want to have. When we don’t plan or don’t follow-thru, we find ourselves having to make unwanted and tough decisions – the ole’ between a rock and a hard place. This is true for our own lives and it’s true for the bodies that govern our country. Euthanasia could be that unwanted decision down the road if there isn’t better planning now.

Including universal design into the design of our cities, homes and products is a good plan. It means more people will be able to function independently; they can and will support themselves. However, if we continue to build in ways that marginalize huge segments of our population, we will, in effect, be building an economic burden of gigantic proportions. We will have to care for and support those people who might otherwise be operating independently. Euthanasia won’t be a philosophical, spiritual or moral debate, it will be an economic one. Pause. Let that sink in.

The opposition to Obama’s health plan might be throwing euthanasia around rather loosely for a little fear mongering. Your reaction is somewhere between being scared and saying it could never happen. Well, it could. So, if universal design isn’t compelling you into action, let a little fear do the job. Obama didn’t say euthanasia, but somebody did.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
August 27, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Gadgetmania!

Ages ago, the only gadget was a pair of specs. When not used, they hung neatly from one’s neck. If I hung today’s gadgets from my neck, I’d soon be crippled.

Gadgets start with the cell phone. Next would be the TV clicker. But given today’s level of remote controls, I’d soon need something like Batman’s utility belt: remote temperature controls, automatic door openers, shade controls, garage openers, flashlights, cordless phones, MP3 players, GPS, medical alerts, electronic diabetic monitors, alarm systems, clickers for all the TV viewing and audio devices, Bluetooth headsets, flash drives, cameras, and your eye glasses (or shades). Oh … don’t forget the chargers that go with the gadgets!

So what can one do to simplify all the gadgets that were made to simplify your life? Here are a few tips:

• Have “homes” for the gadgets. These are places you keep the gadget when not in use. You grab it, use it and put it back when done. This is especially helpful for families where many members use the same gadget.
• Have ample space for gadgets in places where you need them. For example, at your bed stand have a large surface for all the gadgets and possibly a drawer. If you have other places in your home that are regular spots, perhaps the kitchen or a favorite TV chair, have a table and drawer nearby for the gadgets.
• Gadgets need juice. Consider having a charging area for all your gadgets in one area. When you buy a new gadget, use a paint pen or magic marker and label the charger with the item it charges (I know you have that shoebox full of chargers you never throw away but that you have no clue what they pair up with).
  

Bring a little routine and order to your gadgeted life and get the enjoyment they were meant to provide!



Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
August 15, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Universal Mistake

Universal design is often confused with handicap access. This mistake isn’t limited to the average person just learning about universal design, it is one also made by the pros. I recently saw two designs that were supposed to be universal and missed the target.

The first was an expensive wayfinding device designed to assist a person find their way in at a downtown tourist attraction. It was a solid object placed on a sidewalk. It had many features that would meet universal design objectives. It was placed at a height accessible to all. It had large, easy to read lettering and included Braille. But it wasn’t really universal. It served people who spoke the local language, it served people of varying heights and it served sight limited individuals – that’s it. That means it served only a few populations; many users would have to use other means to find their way. Finally, as a large bulky item, it impeded pedestrian flow and caused sidewalk congestion.

Two solutions would work better. One is the old fashioned map (no reinventing needed). The other is a modern gadget, the GPS (now included on smart phones). The map is inexpensive, portable and comes in many languages. It also covers a much larger area than the limited location represented by the physical object. The GPS takes wayfinding to a whole new level! It already has most of the world’s languages preloaded – choose yours. It pinpoints your location. It talks to you. And, some models work for those with sight limitations.

The other device I saw was an overly designed public pay phone. Do you remember trying to use a pay phone in a foreign country? This was that phone times ten! To make it fully universal, the designers included every bell-n-whistle they could think of. It had special ways to load coins and collect them, a qwerty keypad, a video function, credit card slots, prepay card slots and plenty of text and Braille all over the place. It raised and lowered and spun 360 degrees. As an ordinary user, you would need tech support to make a local call. The designers overshot.

For most, communication on-the-go is a cell phone. In fact, I am hearing of many people who are disconnecting their home land-lines. Those without cell phones are few. For telephone companies facing this reality, they are desperately trying to eliminate their pay phones – they cost more than they earn and are prone to vandalism. The New York pay phone would be an icon to perfection. It is nearly indestructible. It has nearly no features (handset, coin slot and return, keypad and an earpiece volume control). To make a call, pick up the handset and dial your number. The automated response navigates you through your options in a few different languages. Done.

When designing universally, it is important to remember that you are still designing for a great user experience for the greatest variety of users. To solve obsolete problems or over engineer a solution is to miss the target.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
July 28, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Improves Sex?

Can universal design improve your sex life?

Somehow this question seems to permeate every aspect of our lives (you know somewhere someone is contemplating whether Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination could improve your sex life). The impact on sex is never a bad question, just an overused one. At the risk of overusing it once more, could universal design provide a positive effect on your sex life?

Yes, just not in the ways you might think. Sure, there are the practical aspects that universal design would have in the bedroom and the ease with which you can go about your activities. The real impact will be in the emotional realm. Sex is always affected by emotions. This is especially true for long-term relationships. When life is flowing effortlessly, it is easier to be and feel amorous. Attention turns to delight and the finer aspects of living when unburdened from the necessities of basic survival. It is easier for trust and confidence to be present. It is easier to relax. It is comforting to know that the environment has no nasty surprises and instead nurtures you. These are much needed ingredients for intimacy.

When fear, worry, doubt or anxiety are present, sex and many other human interactions suffer. If you are looking for an edge in the bedroom, sure, throw in a little universal design. But expect not only bedroom relations to improve but also other areas of relating. Expect greater ease and less stress. Enjoy the taste of food. Enjoy interesting conversations. Relish the independence of your life at home. Enjoy new freedoms of personal expression. Discover yourself and your partner anew. Yes, universal design does improve sex life.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
July 15, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Your Kitchen

Please go to your kitchen, stand in the center, and ask yourself a question:

What simple changes would make this area more enjoyable for myself and others?

Keep your response simple, meaning that the changes you identify are nothing as expensive or labor-intensive as new counters, flooring, paint, or appliances. Open the cabinets. Look into drawers. Evaluate your workstations. Improvements will quickly come to mind, such as: Clean the drawer. Organize the cabinet. Put away, replace or toss such-and-such. Form your to-do list, but set aside any urge to act on it (you have enough to do).

As you do the task above, think about universal design in your kitchen. How accessible are the things you use most? What is difficult to do that might be made easier? Are there any accidents waiting to happen? How might lighting be better? Is there anyone who can't use parts of the kitchen? You’ll probably have an insight or an “aha;” perhaps something that has been on your mind was confirmed or maybe you considered a new viewpoint. Next, pause and ponder one possible change that you feel inspired to make. Can you do it today? If not, pull out a calendar and schedule it. If something needs to be bought, jot it down on your shopping list. If something needs to be discussed with your spouse or a professional, start a kitchen journal where you keep track of the topics of conversation. Refer to the elements of a universal design kitchen not just for this one action but for any changes you intend to make in your kitchen, big or small.

As your kitchen takes its steps toward being a better work environment, share your success with others. Go through other rooms in your home. Just look for the simple improvements, just pick one change, just do it ... and then enjoy it!


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
July 5, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Geriatric Planning

I don’t really do something that we are all supposed to do: I don’t have a fire emergency plan for my home – not really.

I live in an attached-house part of town and know my neighbors, as do my kids. There’s a lots of people just a few doors up and down my block. A fire happens and we’ll be out front checking on each other – that’s the way it’s happened when there were other fires.

We also are loaded up with cell phones. I have plenty of smoke detectors and a few fire extinguishers. We all know the way out of the house and there are two exits to most parts of the house, even the basement. I’m attentive to these emergency plans but also winging it. I’ve thought things through but I’m also stumbling along. I have a lot of trust that things won’t go wrong. We’re all able bodied. If a school teacher were to grade me, I’d be a C+.

I should have a thorough assessment. I should have a plan. I should review it annually. I should do fire drills. I should share it with my neighbors. I should be at least an A-.

That’s fire. What about getting older? Same thing, but I’m not as prepared. Right now, I might be thinking about having enough cash and a suitable environment so that I can be mostly independent. Like the fire plan, I am basically in good shape – but not really on top of it. My geriatric plan is barely a passing grade.

What about 10-20 or 30 years down the road? I should begin to have a geriatric plan – at least a rough draft. What about nutrition? Medication? Household needs like laundry, shopping & cooking? Hygiene? What happens if my memory fades? Who is in charge of my legal matters? Paying the bills on time? Overlooking my driving ability? Who will help me get to my appointments or advocate for my well-being? Who will help me adapt my home to current needs? How will I stay social?

Like the fire emergency plan, the geriatric plan is a prudent endeavor. It’s pennies now instead of dollars later; it’s hours now instead of days or months later. It’s being ready or just hoping.

I’ll do both – the fire and the geriatric plan. The fire plan will go quick –sit down with the whole family, map it out, run a drill and correct any shortcomings. The geriatric plan won’t take that long either. What there is to do right now is have a financial plan: look at future needs and plan how to have enough.

"Old age is like everything else; to make a success of it, you’ve got to start young."
Fred Astaire




Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
June 25, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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Universal Design: Living Large in the 70’s

See it in video: Living Large in the 70's

Ahh, the 70’s. Muhammad Ali, Mark Spitz, Vietnam, China and Watergate. What about Star Wars, disco, Atari and video cassettes? How about the New York City blackout, Son of Sam and Guardian Angels? A pretty amazing decade, but, I’m not talking about those 70’s. I’m talking about you and your seventies!

Becoming seventy is far away, maybe 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years off. When it comes, I’m sure you want to be living a great life. There are a few essential ingredients required for that decade to be great; one of them is your independence.

What will give you your independence in your seventies is not what gives you your independence today. The environment you live in will need to be different; you will have to ready it for your arrival. The good news is that there is nothing to invent and no mystery to solve – it’s already invented and solved. To prepare your environment for ongoing independence you need two words: universal design.

What is universal design? It is an approach to designing products and environments that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age or ability. It means that a home, for example, can function equally well for a child, an adult, an elder or a person with a physical limitation either temporary or permanent. Right now, we don’t build homes that way; we build homes for one type of person, an able-bodied adult.

Universal design unlocks the gate to living large in your seventies (and many other decades of living) but it doesn’t overcome another rather large obstacle, your fear of aging. Ask me about my seventies and I get squirmy and try to change the subject. I don’t want to think about it. When I do, I don’t have positive associations. I think of slowing down, weakening strength and failing body parts. Shudder! Planning for my seventies? Mañana!

Unfortunately, mañana isn’t a winning formula. Without planning, I’ll stumble into my seventies. I’ll have fewer options. I’ll be trying to stay afloat rather than living large. The question that emerges is, how can I get excited about taking actions today that won’t seem to matter for years?

There’s a trick.

Start by remembering an adventuresome vacation you took. There you were, time off from work, where to go? You did your research, talked to friends and voila, Costa Rica would be your destination! Step two was to hone the plans: what hotel, what flight, what activities, etc. Finally you put your money down and booked the trip. Excitement bubbled within; you were going to Costa Rica! Did you walk into work the next day all ho-hum? No, you couldn’t wait to tell friends and co-workers about your forthcoming trip! After work, did you just head home? No, you hit the stores and bought snorkeling gear, a fishing rod and some suntan lotion. Hardly a day passed without some excitement and preparation for the trip.

It’s the same for your seventies. The only thing that’s different is the destination. Much like the vacation, there is a chunk of time in your future that’s open and can be planned as you see fit. Begin by imagining what you want it to look like. This is an important step. As you imagine your seventies, be unreasonable. Let nothing hold your imagination back. Be vivid. Be unbridled in your creativity. If you have an idea and it doesn’t excite you or put a smile on your face, cross it off and imagine something else. Keep going until becoming seventy couldn’t happen soon enough.

Good questions to ask yourself during this stage are: Who am I? Am I rich in wealth? Am I rich in spirit? Am I rich in love? Do I live in a warm climate or a cold? City or country? A big community or a small one? Near family or far away?

As this picture of yourself in your seventies emerges, map it out. Write it in a journal, collage it or make a scrapbook of ideas. With a clear picture of your seventies that makes you excited, we now need to work toward the present – is there an action you could take today? Steps toward the present will be large at first and as we get closer to the present, will become smaller. The end of this journey will be the present, and, in this present, you will be clear on an action to take that will bring you toward living large in your seventies.

Let me walk you through it using myself as an example. Don’t ask me why, I’m a New Yorker, but, I have a thing for Montana. I want to be in Montana for my seventies. I’ll have an apartment in New York and will visit frequently. I’m still married to my wife and we have a joyous vibe that attracts lots of visitors. The house is on the North Fork in the Bitterroot – lots of trout. I have a big porch that faces west, and, I can drive from the land onto the porch and into the house with my rugged ATV-ish scooter. For some reason, that picture of seventy excites me.

Working toward the present, at age sixty, I got to have things pretty set up so that ten years out I’m living this dream. I’ll be familiar with Montana having visited for long periods. I’ll be members in local clubs and have my first few friends. I’ll know where I want to live and be ready financially to purchase land and a home.

Jumping toward the present another ten years, what do I got to have at fifty so that that vision at sixty is ready? I need to be building equity, I’ll begin visiting Montana regularly, I’ll be in my peak earning years and kids will be all educated freeing up additional capital to set aside.

I’ll jump again toward the present but in a shorter time jump, five years. At 45, what do I got so that the vision at 50 is ready? I’m building my value at work, I’m owning or buying some of that equity that’s gonna grow and I’m raising a family. What about one year from now? I’m finishing my research on being seventy in Montana. How about three months from now? I’m in the middle of my visioning and research. And how about right now? Right now, I’m beginning my research. Right now, I’m Googling universal design and thinking about being seventy in a whole new way.

If at the beginning, I asked you, “What are you doing today so that being seventy is gonna be great?” You might have squirmed, said you had an IRA and changed the subject. Instead, you have a new answer, Google universal design resource and start forming an idea of what you’ll need to keep the independence you love.

Wow. Living large in the seventies is possible. When you get there, it will be ready for you. Your independence will be as present as it is today. Opportunities won’t diminish, they’ll continue. Sure, it will all look different. But best of all, you’ll still get to be you.


Konrad Kaletsch, CAPS
June 12, 2009
Universal Design Resource
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