National Disability Authority Releases

National Disability Authority publishes guidelines Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach

The National Disability Authority today, Thursday 23 February 2012, launched a series of booklets called Building for Everyone : A Universal Design approach. The booklets are a practical guide on how universal design can be used creatively in designing buildings, places and spaces that can be used by people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.

“Universal design places people at the heart of the design process and enables buildings and environments to be accessed, used safely and enjoyed by all members of our society”, said Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government at the launch of Building for Everyone.

“I welcome the publication of this much needed guidance for built environment professionals in Ireland in this area of designing our environments better for all society. I commend the National Disability Authority’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design for their work in this area”, he added.

“This publication will be a key resource for all architects, designers, builders, planners and engineers. Taking a universal design approach from the beginning means increased access and use for all people. This applies, for example, to families with children in strollers, older people and people with disabilities who should be able to access facilities and services with ease and also means businesses can increase their customer base”, said Peter McKevitt, Chairperson of the National Disability Authority.

”Everyone has the right to live, work and relax in safe surroundings and move through buildings and environments with ease. This guidance makes this a reality”, he added.

Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach is available free of charge from the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority. Visit www.nda.ie or www.universaldesign.ie

Notes:

Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach - the guidance in this series of booklets promotes the concept and philosophy of universal design and encourages developers, architects, designers, builders and building managers to be innovative and think creatively about solutions that meet the needs of all building users regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.

The publication comprises of 10 booklets -

Booklet 1 - External environment and approach
Booklet 2 - Entrances and horizontal circulation
Booklet 3 - Vertical circulation
Booklet 4 - Internal environment and services
Booklet 5 - Sanitary facilities
Booklet 6 - Facilities in buildings
Booklet 7 - Building types
Booklet 8 - Building management
Booklet 9 - Planning and policy                                                  
Booklet 10 – Index and terminology

Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach may be downloaded as accessible PDF’s at http://www.universaldesign.ie/buildingforeveryone or at www.nda.ie