Universal Design and the ICF
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The document discusses developing a crosswalk between Universal Design (UD) principles and the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). It proposes linking UD guidelines to evidence from research studies categorized by ICF environmental factors, functions, and participation domains. This would help practitioners apply research knowledge to design problems and guide future studies. The document outlines developing UD guidelines through an expert panel process and public commentary to build an online knowledge base relating UD best practices to the ICF framework.
Universal Design and the ICF
- 1. Universal Design and the ICF Edward Steinfeld, Arch.D. Gary Scott Danford, Ph.D. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center) School of Architecture and Planning University at Buffalo The State University of New York
- 2. R&D Activities Related Activities of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design and the Built Environment, 2005 – 2010 Develop low cost methods for measuring universal design (UD) effectiveness Develop benchmarks for effectiveness Develop evidence based guidelines and tie them to the ICF Survey state of the art in selected areas Involve stakeholders in developing guidelines UD & ICF
- 3. Outline An introduction to UD The relationship of the ICF to UD practice A “crosswalk” between the ICF and UD A method for developing that crosswalk The need to build a community of practice UD & ICF
- 4. Key Points UD is the new paradigm for environmental facilitation of preferred outcomes related to function, activity and participation UD is highly compatible with the ICF model A body of evidence for practicing UD needs to be assembled The ICF can be used to provide that body of evidence and guide research A crosswalk is needed to link the ICF and UD Participation of all stakeholder groups is desirable in developing the body of evidence UD & ICF
- 5. Universal Design Defined The design of products and environments …to be usable by all …without the need for adaptation or specialized design (Connell et al., 1997) Kneeling low floor bus with ramp UD & ICF
- 6. Recognizing Universal Design Not assistive technology and barrier free design Not just support of function Must address social participation – social identity, social roles, cultural fit Evolutionary approach that approaches the ideals of UD asymptotically UD & ICF
- 7. Recognizing Universal Design Evolutionary approach recognizing differences in context and resources UD & ICF
- 8. Principles of Universal Design 1 Equitable Use UD & ICF
- 9. Principles of Universal Design 2 Flexibility in Use UD & ICF
- 10. Principles of Universal Design 3 Simple and Intuitive Use UD & ICF
- 11. Principles of Universal Design 4 Perceptible Information UD & ICF
- 12. Principles of Universal Design 5 Tolerance for Error UD & ICF
- 13. Principles of Universal Design 6 Low Physical Effort UD & ICF
- 14. Principles of Universal Design 7 Size and Space for Approach and Use UD & ICF
- 15. Compatibility Health Condition (disorder/disease) Body Function & Activities Participation Structure (limitation) (restriction) (impairment) Environmental Personal Factors Factors UD & ICF
- 16. Compatibility Principles behind the ICF *: Disability is a multi-dimensional notion, limitations are not necessarily caused by one factor, e.g. health condition, personal, or environmental factor, Disability is interactional, f (environment, person, condition) Disability is universal, all people have similar needs, etc. Functioning and disability are continuous, levels of severity Etiological and terminological neutrality, no assumptions related to specific diseases or other health conditions * Bickenbach (in press) UD & ICF
- 17. Compatibility Needs in evidenced based practice: Identifying the environmental factors related to UD Identifying the questions the designer needs to ask Finding the information needed to answer the questions Finding examples of best practices UD & ICF
- 18. Compatibility Using the ICF to organize evidence for UD: ICF is the international language about function and disability It facilitates multi-disciplinary communication It can be used to clarify the relationship between environmental factors, personal factors and outcomes (function, activities, participation) It can help link research to practice For the practitioner - identify knowledge to apply to specific problems For the researcher - identify research needs UD & ICF
- 19. Compatibility Example: “e2500 Sound intensity” Universal design need: Design acoustic environment that ensures participation by older individuals at public meetings. Designer’s question: What are the sound qualities needed for this population? Research knowledge: Research on hearing perception among the older population. Evidence based guideline: Reduce background noise to support conversation in public spaces where social interaction often takes place. UD & ICF
- 20. Compatibility Example: “e430 Individual attitudes of people in positions of authority” Universal design need: To address negative attitudes of clients toward disability. Designer’s question: What information or experiences can help convince clients to change their attitudes? Research knowledge: Information on demographics, roots of negative attitudes, experiential methods to raise awareness, etc. Evidence based guidelines: Identify typical attitudinal barriers and refer to methods for attitude change that can be adopted in practice. UD & ICF
- 21. Compatibility Limitations to Overcome: Definition and principles of UD need to be reconciled with the ICF No method is available to search for answers to design questions and find best practices Some Environmental Factors are not well conceived for design practice, e.g. e2500 Sound Intensity is not sufficient to ensure an adequate acoustic environment Immediate needs: Revision of UD’s definition and principles; development of a crosswalk and an application method Future: Recommendations to improve the ICF’s Environmental Factors UD & ICF
- 22. Redefining Universal Design Definition: Principles: Incorporate function, activity Focus goals on ICF outcomes – and social participation functions, activities and Be explicit about the process participation of continuous improvement Develop guidelines for different Accommodate cost and social domains difference Tie to a body of evidence – knowledge base of research Develop benchmarks to use as comparison - best practices UD & ICF
- 23. Redefining Universal Design Universal Design of products, environments and systems is: a process of continual improvement to improve function, activity and participation for all users, and to extend those benefits to an ever broader population within the context of resources available. UD & ICF
- 24. Redefining Universal Design Principles of Universal Design (Steinfeld, 2006) 1. Body fit: Accommodate people with the widest range of body sizes, postures and movement abilities 2. Comfort: Ensure that the physical demands for safe and effective use are within the comfort range of the widest range of people 3. Awareness: Make information needed for safe and effective use readily available in all necessary forms 4. Understanding: Ensure that the methods of operation and use are easily understood by all users 5. Identity: Support the construction of positive self image and social status for the end users 6. Social integration: Support effective participation by all and reduce barriers between user groups 7. Cultural appropriateness: Ensure that differences in cultural values and attitudes are respected UD & ICF
- 25. Crosswalk Environmental Evidence Functions, Factors Based Activities and Guidelines Participation ICF e1500 PUD 2 Comfort & ICF d465 4 Understanding Entering and Install Moving around Exiting Public automated using Buildings sliding doors equipment Personal Factors & Health Conditions UD & ICF
- 26. Method Guideline Structure: 1. UD principle (design goal) 2. UD guideline (environmental performance) 3. Research evidence and confidence rating 4. Best practice examples 5. Commentary by experts and the public UD & ICF
- 27. Method Interactive websites: Collaborative workplace for writing guidelines Setting for evidencing crosswalk connections Discussion area for evaluating guidelines and nominating best practices Initial test with a focused project: Recruitment of a stakeholder expert panel Cycles of development by experts Delphi survey for rating confidence in the evidence Public forum for comment and validation of best practices UD & ICF
- 28. Community of Practice Opportunities to contribute: Volunteers for the expert panel who are knowledgeable about the ICF Suggestions and criticism of methods Review the interactive websites Publicize this effort Take on an assignment Writing guidelines for selected Environmental Factors Preparing state of the art reviews on evidence Submitting best practice candidates Take ownership ` UD & ICF
- 29. Contact Center for Inclusive Design and School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo Environmental Access (IDEA Center) 3435 Main Street, 378 Hayes Hall Buffalo, NY 14214-3087 RERC on Universal Design and the Built Environment * Tel: 716-829-3485 ext. 329 Fax: 716-829-3861 * Funding provided by the Email: U.S. Department of Education, arced@buffalo.edu National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Website: http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea UD & ICF