Ask Gary ADA

Posted By Gary Renick on March 9, 2009

Continuing with my discussion on Universal design we move on to the fourth principle perceptible information. Principle Four consist of the following information.

 

While it would appear, at first glance, that this principle would apply to public signs it goes much deeper when we think in terms of are homes. And for that matter our everyday living. Let’s say for example that you accidentally loose the use of your eyes or hearing. How many things around the home, that you take for granted, would you not be able to use. One example of this principle might be that our homes are pre wired so that in the event that it was necessary the door bell could not only emit an audible sound, but could send a signal through the cable television wiring to show a visual signal on the television or through the electrical wiring to cause a light to flash. You would simply add what’s needed without remodeling, because the infrastructure already exist. Another example might be that appliances would have braille labels as well as visual labels.

This principle reminds me of something that I should have mentioned at the beginning of our discussion of Universal Design. And that is that these specifications do not just cover the design of a residential home, but also every single device and appliance that goes into it. It also goes further in that it covers the entire community that the residence goes into.

 

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Categories: Government Policy, Handicap Issues, Residential Standards
Tags: accessibility, accessible home design, Handicap Issues, Universal Design, wheelchair access