Introductory interior design texts adopted by design educators present information relevant to both historical and contemporary issues in interior design. According to one author, they provide a "survey of the field of interior design as it now exists" (Pile, 2007). A comparison of the content of contemporary texts with those of more…

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) is committed to a mission that includes serving students with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA). To that end, UW-Whitewater has tried to integrate universal Design (UD) principles into multiple facets of campus life. While the integration of UD…

Parents of children with special needs are beginning to realize that a home designed for their child who might now use a wheelchair may benefit them as well in the future as they "Age in Place". As the boomers age and Medicare and Medicaid seem to possibly decline in the not so distant future as a source of funding for elderly and special needs…

As the first wave of baby boomers hit their "golden years," there is a growing demand for housing that meets their changing physical needs. The older and disabled population face a lot of physical challenges in a traditional home. Before homeowners can modify their houses, they must first understand the key design terminology involved.…

The book presents a directory of consultants on barrier free environments for handicapped people. The directory is organized into three sections. The principal section is arranged geographically, with consultants listed alphabetically within states. A profile of each consultant is provided, giving address, telephone number, professional category,…

Because of New York City's proximity to water, edifices were built with one step as a barrier to potential flooding. The increase in the disability population made it evident that this step formed a barrier to people who could not negotiate level changes, especially those in wheelchairs and motorized scooters. The Americans with Disabilities Act…

This paper presents an overview of selected basic guidelines valuable to the planning process of designing barrier-free facilities for able and disabled persons. (DS)

Cites a directory of consultants concerned with the design needs of handicapped people and lists the names and addresses given for Arizona. (CWM)

Before designing Pittsburgh's new Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, which serves patients with severe physical and emotional problems, the architects spent days at the former center and used wheelchairs to get around their office in order to keep the handicapped concept uppermost in the design. (Author/MLF)

The booklet reviews Federal and New York State efforts to ensure that school programs are accessible to handicapped students and presents guidelines for making existing facilities, services, and activities accessible. The requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act are reviewed…

The report contains the information provided at the national hearing of the Architectural and Transportation Compliance Board regarding recreation for the handicapped. The bulk of the document consists of abstracts of testimony which included both written statements and cross examination questions from such individuals as John H. Davis, executive…

Barrier-free design represents an examination of human performance within the physical environment. (Author)

A projected learning center in an urban area will be a transitional home, part of an evolving effort to "de-institutionalize" the living environment of the blind and train them to become self-sufficient enough to lead normal lives. (Author/MLF)

This issue of the quarterly newsletter "Rural Exchange" provides information and resources on accessible rural housing for the disabled. "Accessible Manufactured Housing Could Increase Rural Home Supply" (Nick Baker) suggests that incorporation of access features such as lever door handles and no-step entries into manufactured housing could help…

The article discusses building design for handicapped persons, focusing on the special needs of those with mobility, sight, and hearing impairments. (DLS)