Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In addition, needs related to sustainability included goals to
• Limit environmental impact of materials and construction procedures;
• Identify energy-saving elements that need to be built into the design during con-
struction, as opposed to incorporating these after construction; and
• Consider long-term needs of the user, including the changing needs of individual
users of the space as well as changing needs of the organization, Access Living,
(this would offer sufficient flexibility to accommodate changes in staff members,
processes, and systems over time).
The seven principles of UD (Center for Universal Design 1997) were also used to guide the
environmental evaluation in terms of possibilities for UD, as follows:
Equitable use: The design should meet the needs of all people who would use the
space and all conference purposes, such as small and large group meetings, tele-
conferences, and presentations.
Flexibility in use: Features of the room should be usable for various purposes.
Simple, intuitive use: AT and objects should be easy to use and accommodate a wide
range of literacy and language needs.
Perceptible information: Users should be able to effectively and efficiently under-
stand information shared, and activities carried out in the room and features of
the room should support alternative forms of communication.
Tolerance for error: Hazards should be limited and use of objects/technology in the
room should be intuitive.
Low physical effort: People and objects should be able to freely move around the
space with minimal physical effort.
Size and space for approach and use: Design of the room should include adequate
space for all to easily enter, exit, and navigate the room.
This evaluation process allowed the multidisciplinary team to develop plans incorporat-
ing both environmental decisions and AT into the design to work toward the accessible
solution for all users. Decisions made during the decision process were based upon the
intersection of the three dimensions of the environment: accessibility, UD, and sustain-
ability. AT was incorporated into the conference room design in ways that decreased costs,
targeted long-term needs of the users, maximized accessibility for individual users, and
was usable to the greatest extent possible for everyone. The conference room was designed
to support and accommodate various types of AT, including video conferencing capa-
bility, electronic communication systems, variance of lighting options achieved through
overhead lighting and task lighting, manual and power wheelchairs, other types of mobil-
ity aids, and augmentative and alternative communication devices. Multiple outlets were
installed at wall and floor levels to allow for powering of these various devices.
Furniture included in the designed conference room consisted of chairs and tables
made of recyclable materials with powder-coated paints and water-based adhesive. This
furniture was also made using volatile organic compound (VOC)-free manufacturing
processes. Use of VOC-free manufacturing processes reduces the vapor pressures that
negatively affect the environment and human health. In addition, the chairs offered flex-
ibility in use such as removable armrests and seats which can be folded out of the way.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search