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
Universal Design Resource
Join Universal Design Network at LinkedIn

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
Join Universal Design Network at LinkedIn

Universal Design: Really, Why?

We know the primary reasons for universal design: It's inclusive; it doesn't marginalize; it's social sustainable; it's economically sensible; it creates opportunity; it supports independent living; and, it provides ease and comfort. None of that is bad or even questionable, but, really, why? Why have all those qualities? Why be more mobile, more secure, more independent, more comfortable or more economically sensible? With all that, what do you get?

The intention of the question is to search beyond meeting basic lifestyle needs.

Long ago, humans fought hard just to survive. Today, many have sorted out survival - probably a bit to well. The need to survive was replaced by the need to consume. In order to consume, you need mobility. Get to a job; trade a skill for cash, go buy stuff. To be cut out of this loop isn't fair; inclusiveness matters. But what else? You have reduced barriers and restored your ability to participate. Was it just to jump back into the exercise wheel?

Survival is essentially human. However, consumption is a decadent devolution that comes long after the mastery of survival. If we are only hunks of flesh and bone, then there is little else to say - make as much money as you can, and to the victor goes the spoils.

But, we are more than a body that we spend 70ish years keeping fed, sheltered, rested and alive, aren't we?

The other half of who we are as humans are eternal beings: energy, light, love, God, beauty - choose the one that fits you. As such, we have the opportunity to connect to the eternal and manifest it in this human one. Now, being alive goes way beyond food and shelter. Yes, those things have to be handled, but, they are handled so you can manifest something greater.

When universal design promises comfort, that's great. Make it happen. You won't be much good manifesting the eternal if you are limited as a body. But once you have that worked out, don't settle for your return to the consumption exercise wheel, stop, ask yourself, why am I here? What footprint will I leave behind when I am gone that has made this a better place? The answer to that is in the eternal, not the flesh.

Access to the eternal is in the quiet, not the action. How do I know what it is for me to do? You be quiet and you listen. You trust. You put practices in place to support this. Practices might be meditation or journaling. Contemplate bigger things; ask bigger questions. Maybe you will be guided toward solving world hunger; maybe you will make one other person happy. In answering to the eternal, you will find bliss. In answering to the eternal, you will leave a great footprint.

Universal design, why? So you can restore for yourself and others your ability to participate fully as a human, and, so you can get back to your very own profound expression of the eternal.