Australian Universal Design Conference 2016 -

The 2nd Australian Universal Design Conference held in Sydney was well received by delegates. They liked the varied program showing how UD needs to be, and can be, applied to more than the built environment. Delegates said they were able to broaden their knowledge of UD and meet and mingle with like-minded people.

Keynote speaker, Ms Siam Imm Goh from Singapore’s Universal Design Department within the Building and Construction Authority, talked passionately about how they have moved from basic access compliance to universal design – thinking of everyone in the design. One of her most notable statements about universal design, and speaking as an architect, was “don’t let an architect tell you that it cuts my creativity”.

Geoff Barker hosts a Table Topic around the conference table that has a white tablecloth. 7 people are sitting with him. — Geoff Barker (left) hosting a table topic

The extended lunchtime “Eat and Meet” Table Topics was a great success. Lots of networking and useful conversations.

All the sessions in the plenary room were live captioned, which provided a transcript. Most presentations slides and transcripts are available for download.

Abstracts and bios of speakers can be downloaded in one document. Information on panel speakers is a separate document. Speakers were:

Evan Wilkinson

Les Goding