ELIMINATING ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS IN EDUCATIONAL FACILITIESTHROUGH UNIVERSAL DESIGN

THE TERM UNIVERSAL DESIGN REFERS TO THE DESIGN OF PRODUCTS AND FACILITIES SO THEY CAN BE USED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT BYALL PEOPLE. (5) TWO HALLMARK CHARACTERISTICS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN ARE ADAPTABILITY AND SAFETY. IT IS COST EFFECTIVE DESIGNING WHICH IS FUNCTIONAL FOR THE LIFE OF THE STRUCTURE AND FOR THE FACILITY USERS. OUR INTENT IS TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAINING APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALS IN THE CONCEPT OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN STANDARDS TO BE USED IN EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. UNIVERSAL DESIGN ALLOWS FOR INCREASED ADAPTABILITY OF A STRUCTURE WHICH WILL BE UTILIZED BY STUDENTS FROM PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH ADULT EDUCATION. IT IS A RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHICH PROMOTES INCREASED SAFETY AND SUPPORTS THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL USERS. PHASE I OF THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE CONDUCTING AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE PRESENT STANDARDS FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND COLLECTING DATA TO DETERMINE THE INACCESSIBLE AREAS IN ELEMENTARY, JUNIOR HIGH, AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN IOWA'S AREA EDUCATION AGENCY #10. WE WILL DEVELOP UNIVERSAL DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE REMODELING OF EXISTING FACILITIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.