Connecting People and Places with Universal Design: Queensland leading the way
CUDA’s Symposium held in Brisbane 30 May 2024
The Olympic and Paralympic Games is a great opportunity to embed a universal design approach into all the work leading up to the event. This would drive the access and inclusion agenda for everyone in a coordinated way. The purpose of CUDA’s symposium was to find ways to embed universal design thinking into the implementation plan.
The panel speakers gave insights into their experiences with inclusion and universal design. We had an excellent live captioner in the room and every word was recorded and transcribed. You can read the edited highlights of the panel session in a Word document.
Two key themes emerged from the workshop session:
- Embed universal design principles in all procurement processes including pre-procurement to develop appropriate scopes of works.
- Embed co-design at the beginning of all decision-making processes at all levels and make the process mandatory.
You can read the full set of draft recommendations and provide feedback to email udaustralia@gmail.com.
Universal design is a unifying concept
Universal design is three things: an ethical principle for inclusion of diversity; a vision of an inclusive society; and a unifying approach to policy and perspectives. It’s this last point that is of greatest value to the implementation of the Games Legacy Strategy.
With so many government departments and stakeholders involved, an abstract concept such as inclusion can fall between the cracks. Taking universal design approach across the development of all activities keeps inclusion at the forefront in transport, housing, planning, employment, communications, services, and tourism to name a few.
The panel speakers
Malcolm Middleton, OAM, former Queensland Government Architect, will address the topic of housing.
Kevin Cocks AM, Department of Transport and Main Roads will address the topic of transport.
Melissa James, Inclusive Tourism Australia will discuss the topic of tourism.
Rebecca Arnaud, Brisbane City Council’s Manager, Legacy and Games Planning and will take a local government perspective.
