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Welcome

Welcome to Centre for Universal Design Australia website

The aim of universalising design is to create a more inclusive world. Universal Design, as an endeavour in its own right, is being used internationally as a vehicle for bringing about wholesale change in design thinking throughout the design process so that all people are considered regardless of age, capability, or background.

Universal design is a design concept not a design product. The principles of universal design can be applied to concrete things like products, buildings and open spaces, to intellectual activities such as designing learning programs, and to conceptual things such as policies and practices.

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ATSA Independent Living Expo 2019

Advertising banner for ATSA independent living expos in Sydney and BrisbaneSponsored Content. Australia’s premier assistive technology, daily living aids and equipment show will be back and bigger than ever in 2019!  One of the most comprehensive events for people with disability, older people, allied health professionals, rehabilitation providers and the public, the ATSA Independent Living Expo will take place in Sydney on 8-9 May, Brisbane on 15-16 May, and in Canberra on 27-28 August as part of iCREATe conference.

The expos are set to bring together a number of assistive technology providers and suppliers under the one roof to showcase the latest equipment and services for the disability sector. A key feature of the expo is the free conference program, which is held in rooms conveniently located next to the exhibition floor. The program provides an excellent opportunity for allied health professionals, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, to broaden their practical and theoretical learning. Seats are expected to book out well in advance of the event.

ATSA Independent Living Expo is open to visitors of all ages, including those with a disability, older people and their families, friends, therapists and carers. For more information, visit www.atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au.  

This post is sponsored content.

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ATSA Independent Living Expos 2019

Advertising banner for ATSA independent living expos in Sydney and BrisbaneAustralia’s premier assistive technology, daily living aids and equipment show will be back and bigger than ever in 2019!  One of the most comprehensive events for people with disability, older people, allied health professionals, rehabilitation providers and the public, the ATSA Independent Living Expo will take place in Sydney on 8-9 May, Brisbane on 15-16 May, and in Canberra on 27-28 August as part of iCREATe conference.

The expos are set to bring together a number of assistive technology providers and suppliers under the one roof to showcase the latest equipment and services for the disability sector. A key feature of the expo is the free conference program, which is held in rooms conveniently located next to the exhibition floor. The program provides an excellent opportunity for allied health professionals, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, to broaden their practical and theoretical learning. Seats are expected to book out well in advance of the event.

ATSA Independent Living Expo is open to visitors of all ages, including those with a disability, older people and their families, friends, therapists and carers. For more information, visit www.atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au.  

This post is sponsored content.

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Access Insight Newsletter

Front cover of magazine showing a Sydney Ferry with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.The latest issue of the Association of Consultants in Access Australia newsletter is all about transportation. Airports, Sydney Light Rail, Bus Stops, and Ferries are included. Transport sociologist, Claudine Moutou, discusses changing expectations of public transport and how it needs to be more convenient for everyone. Farah Madden reports on the TransAlpine Railway in New Zealand, and Francis Lenny compares accessible transport provision with Australia and Europe. You can view online or download a PDF (9MB). 

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Annual Report 2017-2018

The 2017-2018 Annual Report on CUDA’s activities is available for download in Word. Key points are:

  • Website views increased by more than 11,000 to 39,300, and is now averaging between 3000 to 4000 views per month.
  • Newsletter had 360 subscribers at the end of June 2017
  • Online learning course, Introduction to Universal Design attracted 171 students with 78 completing the course
  • Seven conference and seminar presentations were made 
  • Ten sector consultations/roundtables were attended 
  • Social media continues to be a efficient way to promote universal design and inclusive practice

You can also download the member announcements made at the 3rd Australian Universal Design Conference held in Brisbane 4-5 September 2018.  

The 2016-2017 Annual Report is also available for download

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CUDA News Update

Newsletter Advertising: The Board of Directors have decided that one post per newsletter can be made available for advertising. The cost is $55.00 for CUDA members and $110.00 for non-members. Advertising content should be relevant to universal design and inclusive practice.  Contact the Editor for more information by email: udaustralia@gmail.com

Membership Types: Membership is a tangible way you can support the work of CUDA. 

  • Individual Membership is $33.00 for the financial year.
  • Liftetime Individual Membership is $110.00 so that you only sign up once and no need to renew each year. 
  • Corporate Membership is $220.00 for up to ten staff. 

All members are eligible to use the CUDA logo on their digital stationery. Members also receive preferred rates for any CUDA events and learning programs. 

You can download the full Member and Supporter Update with extra detail.

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Wheelchair users identify the real barriers

A man in a wheelchair is separated from the crowd by a low concrete barrierA recent in-depth study from UK on wheelchair users reveals that in spite of legislation to improve accessibility, designers are still providing a bare minimum without regard to functionality for wheelchair users. One aim of the study was to find out the problems wheelchair users encounter in the built environment. Unexpectedly, they also found that wheelchair users were critical of their wheelchair saying the design could be improved. The title of the article is, “An Inclusive Design Study of Wheelchair Users in the Built Environment” published in the Journal of Engineering and Architecture, Tom Page & Gisli Thorsteinsson.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the problems wheelchair users face in the built environment and why these problems have not been resolved. The study considered the role of the designer in creating an inclusively designed built environment. The literature review finds that there are many designers that support inclusive design, but also some that do not. The government has enforced many directives and legislation, but this is often met by designers using the bare minimum required and does not solve the issues that wheelchair users face. The empirical research then moves on to finding answers to research questions that were not found during the literature review. Two online questionnaires were used in order to gain qualitative and quantitative results from 45 wheelchair users and 54 designers. The results are analysed through the use of charts, and then the results are discussed. The designers are found to be in support of designing for wheelchair users, but often feel that if they do the revenue potential of their design will be affected. The study concludes that wheelchair users’ problems are a combination of the poorly designed built environment and the wheelchair they use. 

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Advertising Space in this Newsletter

A red star button with "new" on it and three gold stars.The results of our recent subscriber survey indicated that it was acceptable for CUDA to accept some advertising in the newsletter. It was recognised that this is one way of helping to fund the costs of providing the newsletter and keeping the newsletter open to all.

The CUDA Board of Directors decided that one advertising post per newsletter with content relevant to universal design and inclusive practice is acceptable. The format of the advertising will be similar to other posts with one picture and a short text. Links to external websites or flyers can also be included.

The cost of advertising is $55.00 (inc GST) for CUDA members and $110.00 (inc GST) for non-members. The Editor retains discretion regarding content in terms of relevance to CUDA’s aims. Examples of content that would be considered suitable are events, products and consultancy services. Contact the Editor for more information by email: udaustralia@gmail.com

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Tried our free course yet?

Title of course: introduction to universal design, yellow and orange blurred coloured background with dark blue text.From the Editor: We are very pleased to see the number of people signing up to our free online course, Introduction to Universal Design. Regardless of your level of understanding, why not give it a go? We’ve tried to make it fun as well as informative. Let us know what you think. After all, the basis of universal design is about the users and what works and what doesn’t. We are planning new courses for next year – your ideas are welcome.  And if you’ve got part way through the course, get yourself to the end for that certificate! Jane Bringolf.

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Become a member!

Show your support for Centre for Universal Design Australia and the cause of social and economic inclusion by becoming a member.  Your membership contribution will help show the widespread support and interest in Universal Design that exists across Australia and globally. It will also support us to maintain the website and regular newsletters. Join now and you will be paid up until 30 June 2019. The membership fee is $33.00 including GST.




 

You can pay by credit card through the PayPal gateway using the button link below. If you don’t have a PayPal Account scroll down to the credit card payment option on the PayPal site. You can also pay by bank transfer- see below. You can find out more about the organisation, its aims, and current Board of Directors by going to the About Us page on the website.

Help us create a more inclusive world! 

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Centre for Universal Design Australia Ltd

Ger Craddock at the lectern with the captioning screen behind himAt the close of the inaugural universal design conference in 2014 there was a call from delegates to set up a centre for universal design in Australia. In the final panel session  “Where to from Here”, Ageing and Disability Commissioner The Hon Susan Ryan spoke passionately for it, along with other members of the panel. Kathryn Greiner AO, Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing, also added her support. This website was the first step.

The second step was to set up a not-for-profit organisation. That step has now been completed with the minimum three founding directors. There are five more positions on the board to be filled and the call for expressions of interest is now open. People passionate about universal design in all its forms are invited to submit. There will be two main tasks for the board: to oversee the governance of the organisation, and to seek funds and support. All tasks will need to be carried out voluntarily by board members until such time as we can employ staff. To be clear, there is no money as yet for travel for face to face meetings. The number and timing of meetings and operational tasks will be decided by the board members once they are appointed. The call for expressions of interest will close 12 September 2016. 

An announcement about the establishment of the Centre and call for expressions of interest will be made at the 2nd Australian Universal Design Conference on the afternoon of 31 August 2016. 

For more about selection criteria and other information download the document in Word or download in PDF. Please feel free to circulate through your networks.

Picture shows Dr Ger Craddock, Chief Officer, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design in Ireland speaking as a member of the final panel session.

Jane Bringolf, Editor

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