Designing for all : a study of universal design at Ball State University : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

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Authors
Culiver, Andrea M.
Advisor
Brown, Carol A.
Issue Date
2009
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Universal Design is a principle that is currently becoming more popular in the design community. In the 1970's, the term "universal design"was coined by architect Ronald Mace, who defined universal design as "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design" (Burgstahler & Cory, 2008). It simply promotes good design that is accessible to the widest range of users, focusing on promoting equality in the built environment. As students of Interior Design and Architecture (respectively), we wanted to research more about this topic and use our findings and observations of the built environment to assess the campus and buildings of Ball State University. Currently, there are no accessibility guides or maps available to those students who use the services of Ball State's Disabled Student Development (DSD). Thus, we have put together a clear and concise guide for each academic building on campus. Each guide consists of a picture of one of the building's entrances, a description of certain building attributes that might influence accessibility, and a floor plan that uses easy-to-read symbols that show locations of accessible entrances, elevators, and accessible restrooms. We hope that this will make it easier for all students--not just those who may have disabilities --to adjust to life at BSU, making it easier for them to get around campus. Through this inventory, we have discovered that some buildings are more friendly to disabled students than others. This research paper may also serve as a type of design guide to students of Interior Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning. The ultimate goal of this thesis project is to inform not only design students but everyone of the importance of universal design and promote its implementation in the design and construction of the built environment.