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.…

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)

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…

Career education needs of disabled college students must include removing architectural barriers, training career counselors, and developing innovative programs. The career planning approach at California State University, Northridge is described in terms of services for all students as well as those for disabled students. (CL)

Describes legislation and building design criteria related to architectural accessibility for the handicapped; the National Center for a Barrier Free Environment; library programs and services for the disabled; and the role of rehabilitation librarians. A bibliography lists more than 70 books, journals, and newsletters. (FM)

Explored the attitudes and practices of property developers and related agents in facilitating or constraining access for people with disabilities in the built environment. Interview data indicated that respondents had limited knowledge of people with disabilities and their needs, regarding them as a minor consideration in building projects. They…

Describes ABA Studio/Andrew Bartle Architects' transformation of a narrow row house into a school for learning-disabled students in New York City. Includes drawings and photographs. (EV)

A school to accommodate handicapped students side by side with nonhandicapped elementry students in remote Alaska was designed with programing considerations in mind and attention to the development of stable relationships among students. Design concepts and features are reviewed. (CL)

The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerning public school building accessibility are summarized. Requirements discussed include facility design and braille and raised letter signs. (DB)

A prime mover behind larger space requirements is expansion of legal entitlements for children with disabilities, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The list of architectural interventions has lengthened, and is matched by burgeoning effects on space and budgets. Nonphysical barriers must also be addressed. (MLH)

Adaptive aids which can help individuals with disabilities to get around more easily are described, including ramps, portable ramps, lifts, doors, and doorways. The use of professional assistance in selecting adaptive aids and use of the ABLEDATA database are noted. Appended is a list of companies which manufacture adaptive equipment. (JDD)