Jane Bringolf
PhD Candidate
Urban Research Centre
University of Western Sydney
Supervisors: Prof Peter Phibbs, Dr Ingrid Schraner
Confirmation of Candidature Presentation 16 December 2008
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Current thesis title:
Inhibitors and facilitators of universal design in the built environment with emphasis on new-build dwellings: social, political and economic implications
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
OR
Universal Design:
Why don’t we have
more of it?
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Otherness
Us and Them
Disabled Toilet
Segregation
Special facilities
Alternative arrangements
Poor thing
State responsibility
Exclusion
Accessible
Parallel Games
AbNormal
Overcome adversity
brave
helpless
determined
tragedy
senile
discrimination
human rights
Disability Discrimination Act
HREOC
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These are words and themes I found recurring in the literature.
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If not ‘normal’ then it becomes either the individual’s problem or a state problem.
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Non-normality viewed from the perspective of tragedy which has to be ‘fought’ to be overcome, or ‘dealt with’ by the state.
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Theme of ‘us and them’ remains even with positive language
December 2008
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
easy to use
intuitive
safe
functional
readable
quick
empowering
inclusive
everyone
liberating
everything
equitable
everywhere
flexible
useable
understandable
simple
one and all
everyman
everywoman
the long the short and the tall
everyman Jack
in all cases
Uncle Tom Cobbly and all
Tom, Dick and Harry
the good, the bad and the ugly
every man and his dog
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These are words associated with designing a world inclusively
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They describe a theme of improved convenience for everyone
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They imply both social and economic inclusion
December 2008
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
What is universal design?
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The design of products and environments for the maximum amenity for the maximum number of people regardless of age, size, ability or background
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It is inclusive. It maximises the useability and utility for everyone
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It minimises the need for specialised or adapted designs for particular people
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It is an iterative design process, each new design improving on the last
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Lots of oomph needed here!
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
What universal design is not
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It is not solely for people with disabilities
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It is not a niche market product or building
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It is not one single design, but can be a series of designs
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Unlikely to embrace 100% of the population 100% of the time
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It is not a product or output, but a thinking process
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Sign on the wall at the IDEA Center
University at Buffalo
State University of New York
IDEA = Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
Universal design can be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Lever handles easy for everyone
Easy access pull-down cupboard shelf
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Why is it important to have it?
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Everyone gets a disability at some time – some for longer than others
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Exclusion and inability caused by poor design has social and economic costs
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Specialised and parallel designs are stigmatising - reinforce negative stereotyping and continued exclusion
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Ageing population an economic and social policy challenge
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
So why don’t we have it?
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Attitudes towards disability cause design exclusion in public policy, products, buildings
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Designers are taught to design around a mythical normal population
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Universal design is seen as a euphemism for ‘disabled design’ rather than inclusive design
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Perception still retained of normal designs for ‘us’ and special designs for ‘them’
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Perception extra cost and loss of aesthetics
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
How NOT to use warning tactile indicators
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
What literature says
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Disability natural part of human experience
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Previously hidden away
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People with disabilities viewed as state welfare responsibility
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Civil &human rights not changed attitudes
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Anti discrimination legislation retains notions of ‘normal’ and ‘non-normal’ – not educative or attitude changing.
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
What the literature says
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Universal design is a paradigm of its own
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Relates to critical theory (emancipation)
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Relates to person-environment fit theory
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Relates to human ergonomics theory
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Relates to sustainability
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Relates to change management
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Language use, labelling and naming is an issue
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
What the literature says
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Professions and trades
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Technical efficiencies of industry paramount
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Change required throughout delivery chain
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Not just a design issue
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Industry infrastructure issue
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Myths abound about difficulty and cost
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Consumers not demanding universal design
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Suppliers don’t detect need
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Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Housing of greatest concern
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More people living longer with impairments
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Design of dwellings can pose significant barriers to independence
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People enter supported accommodation earlier than necessary or desired
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Home modifications of current housing stock funded from public purse
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People do not plan for future housing needs, only current lifestyle aspirations
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Level entry costs no more
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
No upstand or lip to trip over when entering wet areas
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
The power of universal design is in its silence
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Different height workspaces
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Aims and Objects
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Overarching questions in very simple terms:
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What things create and maintain the problem?
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Who is responsible for keeping it going?
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What can be done about it?
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Specifically:
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What are the inhibitors to, and facilitators of universal design, particularly in new-build mass market housing?
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Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Research questions
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What role does personal attitude towards disability and ageing play?
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What role does the built environment delivery chain play?
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What role do regulations and legislation play?
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What are the power relations between stakeholders?
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What or who has the greatest influence in housing designs?
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What part do costs play – which costs, who bears them and when?
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Methodology and Methods
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Subjectivist approach using both interpretivist and positivist techniques
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Narrative accounts – experiences and opinions
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Focus on understanding participant perspectives
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Element of iteration – as data collected, room for change in technique or direction of questioning
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Participants from built environment industry
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developers, designers, builders, regulators
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And from new-build homeowners
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with and without disabilities
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Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
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Ethics application
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Design data collection instruments
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Consideration of data analysis
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Preliminary work on groups, interviews and surveys
Next Steps
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Leave you with just one thought….
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
“There are two kinds of people in the world: people with a disability and those not yet with a disability”
Judy Heumann
Advisor, Disability
and Development
The World Bank
October 2004
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
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Think difference
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Think inclusion
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
Thank you!
Jane Bringolf
Urban Research Centre, UWS
j.bringolf@uws.edu.au
Jane Bringolf Confirmation of Candidature Presentation UWS
December 2008
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