Universal Design: Barrier-Free Environments

Standards issued under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) apply to facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds.

Provided by the National Disability Authority - "Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach" provides comprehensive best practice guidance on how to design, build and manage buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size ability or disability.

Despite not being currently active, you will find great information on universal design.

The Center of Design for an Aging Society is identifying environmental solutions which will help us to maximize our abilities, and allow us to live and act as young as we still feel.

Our center receives funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to conduct research focused on improving employment. We hold NIDILRR’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment of People who are Blind or Have Low Vision. Some of our recent RRTC research projects are featured below.

Whole building design requires a balanced and integrated approach to all the design objectives, including accessibility.