Debra Young teaches audience about Inclusive Design
Occupational Therapist Debra Young spoke at Delaware Technical Community College on Oct. 25 about Inclusive Design. Students and staff attended the event, which was held at the Owens Campus Arts and Science Theater.
Young specializes in Inclusive Design, which is the concept of creating products, services, and environments that fulfill the needs of the widest number of consumers, including the elderly and people with illness, injury, or disabilities. Inclusive Design, also known as Universal Design, makes it possible for everyone to experience flexibility and convenience in their everyday lives.
Inclusive/Universal Design differs from Accessible Design, which follows ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, because Accessible Design only considers the specific needs of people with disabilities.
Young said, “Even though there was a need (for ADA guidelines), in my mind it's actually limiting us now because all we’re doing is ADA guidelines. We’re not looking at it from a Universal Design perspective which is above and beyond ADA guidelines.”
Throughout the presentation Young explained the ways that certain everyday tasks might be difficult for some, and the ways in which they can be modified for everyone.
A few modification examples include: lowering the average height of microwaves and adding pull-out shelving to base cabinets. Young said these changes can improve everyday life through injury prevention and safety.
Occupational Therapy Student Brittany DeShields said, “Everybody should know about Inclusive Design because it's very helpful for all people.”
Since this event is part of Delaware Tech’s Global Understanding Series, a series of events that highlight a variety of different cultures and global issues, Young spoke about the ways other countries are implementing Inclusive Design.
Young showed images of the environment in various European countries and explained how each country adapts to the needs of its people. Young talked about the way Amsterdam incorporates multimodal transportation options because of its surplus of bicyclists and how Austria’s signage is easy for people to see and understand.
International Education Coordinator Amy Russell said, “We’ve run this event before, and it was so successful for both architectural engineering and occupational/physical therapy students, that we decided we would have it again.”
More information about the Global Understanding Series can be found at the display by the ASC Theater.
As part of the Global Understanding series, guest speaker Debra Young explains what Inclusive Design is and why it’s important. Photo by A. Webb
More information about the Global Understanding series can be found on display by the ASC Theater. Photo by A. Webb
Global Understanding Series. Video by Delaware Technical Community College