Copyright 2011 Institute for Human Centered Design, All Rights Reserved s1

May 2011

Saint Gobain Donates Ecophon Acoustical Panels to IHCD

Photo above, shows Ecophon Solo™ acoustical panels suspended from the IHCD office ceiling in the exhibit area.

We are pleased to announce a new addition to the exhibit space at the IHCD office on 200 Portland Street: We now have Ecophon Solo™ acoustical panels that have been donated to IHCD from Ecophon and have been installed to improve the acoustics outside of the conference room. The free-hanging sound absorbers that are suspended from our ceiling above our exhibit space, greatly enhance the acoustics of the space, concentrating the sounds and eliminating echoes. It has already made a difference in our office environment and will continue to improve the experience of our staff, visitors, and guests attending meetings, conferences, lectures, and receptions in our office for years to come.

Ecophon is a leading, global supplier of sound absorbing ceilings and wall absorber systems. The Ecophon head office is situated in Hyllinge, Sweden, close to the city of Helsingborg, where their main production unit is also located. The panels for the IHCD office will be arriving from Denmark where they have their other main factory. Some products, mostly local, are manufactured in Finland and France.

Copyright © 2011 Institute for Human Centered Design, All Rights Reserved Ecophon is part of the Saint Gobain Group which specializes in the design, production and distribution of functional materials, including glass for the automotive and construction industries, bottles, pipes, mortars, plaster, refractory ceramics and crystals. The Group is organized into five business sectors: Flat Glass, Packaging, Construction Products, Building Distribution and High-Performance Materials. Established in more than 50 countries, Saint- Gobain is the market leader in each of its core businesses.

Learn more about Saint-Gobain, Ecophon, and CertainTeed.

______Revised Call for Abstracts for TRANSED 2012

The deadline for receiving the abstracts for the 13th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED 2012) scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India from September 17-21, 2012 has now been extended to June 30, 2011. Abstracts may be developed for either a paper or a poster.

Hosted by Svayam in partnership with Government of NCT of Delhi and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the conference is co-sponsored by Transport Research Board (USA). The theme of the Conference is "Seamless Access for All: Universal design for transport systems and infrastructure as a key element in the creation of livable cities"

Important Dates:  June 30, 2011: Deadline for receipt of abstracts  October 31, 2011: Notification to Authors of acceptance of abstract as paper/poster  November 1, 2011: Call for Registration  March 1, 2012: Deadline for Early Bird Registration  March 30, 2012: Deadline for submission of full papers/ posters.  September 17-21, 2012: Conference Dates for TRANSED 2012, New Delhi, India Please review the requirements, guidelines and submission procedures before submitting the abstract. In particular please note that the abstracts are required to be submitted on line.

Read more about the conference or write to the TRANSED 2012 Secretariat.

______Josh Safdie to Present at AIA National Convention 2011

American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition New Orleans | May 12-14, 2011 Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Copyright © 2011 Institute for Human Centered Design, All Rights Reserved Josh Safdie, IHCD Studio Director, will be presenting at the AIA's National Convention session: Designing for All: Social Sustainability and Universal Design on Thursday, May 12, 2:00-3:30. (Session TH237)

This program introduces the tenets of Universal Design and explores the significant and growing overlap between Universal Design principles and the values inherent to the concepts of environmental and social sustainability. Case studies and examples of successful Universal Design strategies representing a variety of scales and settings will be presented. Architects strengthen their practices and their communities by recognizing needs and providing creative solutions. Promoting elegant, intuitive, and accessible design which anticipates and celebrates the diversity of human ability enables all of us to influence community development in order to meet the needs of all citizens and to contribute to an enriched making of place.

Register today for the AIA National Convention!

Visit the AIA's recently established Universal Design knowledge community, an online community of AIA members with a common professional interest in universal design.

______Universal Design Conference 2012 in Oslo

Universal design in public space is the main focus of the conference being held June 11-13, 2012 in Oslo, Norway. At the request of the Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, The Delta Centre is the organizer for the conference. The Delta Centre is the National Resource Centre for Participation and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Norway. The Delta Centre is part of the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir). The three days of the conference will each have a main theme:  Planning for the Diversity of Tomorrow  Good Practice - the interplay of regulations, research and practice  Added Value - the benefits of mainstreaming universal design Topics to be addressed are issues related to universal design in planning, legislation, politics, education, buildings, outdoor areas, information and communications technologies (ICT) and public transport.

The conference website will open for abstract submissions on July 1st, 2011. The aim is to make the universal design conference in Oslo a meeting place both for speakers and participants. By exchanging knowledge, experiences and ideas we can build global connections and form networks that inspire, challenge, and empower future work on universal design.

July 1, 2011: Abstract submission opens October 31, 2011: Abstract submission closes February 1, 2012:Deadline for early fee registration June 11-13, 2012:Conference days

______Ed Roberts Campus Opening Celebration

"This is an incredible moment in time for the disability community," said Dmitri Belser, president of the Ed Roberts campus, in his opening remarks at its grand opening event on April 9, 2011.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland agreed: "It's so wonderful to witness the fruition of so many years of hard work and dedication," Lee said. "I remember Ed Roberts very well. I know he's with us here today, smiling and celebrating. And I know he's saying that our work is just beginning. "This campus is a model for the rest of the country," Lee said. "Let's give Ed Roberts a round of applause."

The building itself is a sleek, modern, two-level structure, with a glass and wood-slat exterior. Inside, a circular ramp rimmed in red panels leads up to the second floor with skylights illuminating the way. The building exceeds requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and serves as an excellent example of exceptional design. The building is made up of wide corridors, oversized elevators with special controls and foot buttons and bathrooms with special features. Gentle fountains bubbling in the lobby are not just for decor, but serve as a directional tool.

Segments from Angela Hill's article on April 9, 2011 in the Oakland Tribune.

______Elizabeth Jassem, IHCD Newsletter Sponsor Elizabeth Jassem, (pictured left) a Polish-born architect and urban planner, with European and North African professional experience, continued her professional career in Canada. For over 18 years she worked in the field of residential and institutional architectural design, including being part of TD Bank / Canada Trust merger's architectural innovation standards team.

Several years ago she decided to do more than just from architectural and urban design. She wanted to improve lives of others through design. She started doing universally designed projects independently and was soon selected to a position of the Accessibility Manager at the Toronto Community Housing Corporation where she has been able to realize her true passion.

Motivated by her belief in quality design and architecture for all, in her relative short tenure with TCHC, she has already accomplished a lot: the new progressive and attractive accessible kitchen and bathroom standards have been developed and introduced. New standards for common areas are well underway. The partnership with the Ontario College of Art and Design University has been established to benefit the creativity of students on the one hand and to promote awareness of universal design issues among future designers. C-DAC - the Community Design Accessibility Centre has been created to showcase the real- life standards, generate public feedback, and improve accuracy and timing of the project delivery process. She has also established a new collaborative model, engaging "user-experts." Direct involvement of people with disabilities and older people provides perpetual feedback.

In addition, Elizabeth is an accomplished and award-winning artist and graphic designer.

Elizabeth S. Jassem, President and Founder ARCHiDOME CANADA/Access Dome contact (416) 770 -7680 [email protected]

______U.S. Access Board Seeks Transportation Engineer

The U.S. Access Board seeks to hire a transportation engineer (GS 11-14) to assist the Board's update of its ADA Accessibility Guidelines for transportation vehicles and to provide technical assistance and training to the public on accessible transportation. Vacancy notices for this position are posted separately on USAJobs.gov at the GS 11/12 and GS 13/14 grade levels. Applications are due May 16.

For further information, contact Tanya Johnston (202) 272-0004 (voice), or (202) 272-0059 (TTY)

______Healthy Living Promotion for People with Disabilities Grants

In the midst of a national obesity epidemic, people with disabilities are significantly more likely to be obese than their nondisabled peers. People with disabilities face unique challenges to maintaining a healthy weight, including physical limitations, inaccessible fitness activities and limited healthy eating choices and exercise options.

The Health and Disability Project at the National Association of County and City Health Officials invites local health departments, partnered with local stakeholder organizations, to apply for two new grant opportunities. Both grants focus on healthy living promotion for people with disabilities. Share this with your local health department, and partner with us to improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities in your community. Applications are due May 16, 2011 at 5 PM

Learn more today!

______Disability History Museum Launches New Website

The Disability History Museum (DHM), whose mission is to foster a deeper understanding about how changing cultural values, notions of identity, laws and policies have shaped and influenced the experience of people with disabilities, their families and their communities over time, has just launched a new website. Originally established in 2000, this website's second iteration better meets the needs of today's researcher with new graphics, improved navigation and functionality.

The DHM aims to provide all site visitors, people with and without disabilities, researchers, teachers and students, with a wide array of tools to help deepen their understanding of human variation and difference, and to expand appreciation of how vital to our common life the experiences of people with disabilities have always been.

The DHM welcomes on average 4,000 unique visitors each month and features a library collection includes over 2,000 primary source documents and images, and continues to grow. In 2008, DHM began an inventory of disability history resources located in Western Massachusetts repositories in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Public History Program. Phase one - an inventory of resources within the Pioneer Valley History Network - is now complete.

The Disability History Museum is a project of Straight Ahead Pictures, Inc. Address inquiries to: [email protected]

Straight Ahead Pictures, Inc. Box 395 Conway, MA 01341 Tel: (413)369-4372 Fax: (413)369-4784

Save the Date

Products & Technology that Change People's Lives: Universal Design & Assistive Technology in Massachusetts

This day-long event, sponsored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and convened by IHCD, will include an Expo, Conference, Summit, and Design Competition. The agenda for all events will have four thematic areas: Home, Work, Life-Long Learning, and Fitness/Recreation/Sport.

Goals:  Convene a state-wide group of leaders from government, academia and business for a Summit to generate a strategy for advancing Inclusive and Assistive Technology as a cross- sector collaborative that will position Massachusetts as a national model.  Showcase state-of-the-art and evolving technologies and products for people with disabilities and older people, for consumers, employers, educators, and others to demonstrate how emerging and cutting edge technology can improve the ability to work, live, learn and play across the spectrum of ability and age.  Generate a sense of urgency about the demographic impetus to innovation in Universal Design and Assistive Technology (AT) in products and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).  Explore the potential of adding Universally Designed products, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Assistive Technology (AT) to the Commonwealth's Technology and Innovation initiative. More information about this event will be released in the coming months. Please let us know have questions or ideas.

______IHCD Lunch & Learn Lecture Wednesday, May 11th at 12:00pm 200 Portland Street, Boston

The Impact of Technology in Administrative & Clinical Work Environments Presented by: Al Messer Regional Technology Specialist Humanscale

Copyright © 2011 Institute for Human Centered Design, All Rights Reserved For IHCD's May Lecture, Al Messer, Humanscale's Regional Technology Specialist, will be discussing the impact of technology on care givers in both the administrative and clinical work environments. He will discuss how space constraints, work flow and ergonomics can be improved with the correct implementation of solutions. He will also discuss meeting the demands from both the end user and IT perspective in regards to redesigning existing space and new projects.

This event is open to the public and costs $10. IHCD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This entrance fee is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Please remember to register. For accommodations, please contact Eliza Kaye 617.695.1225 x235 Attendees will be eligible for 1 AIA credit.

Lunch will be donated by: Au Bon Pain With 37 locations in Massachusetts, find the one closest to you today!

______Just Under the Surface Just Under the Surface is a unique exhibition in a unique gallery space. This is the first exhibition by the pioneering women's art collective, Art in Touch. It explores the aesthetic, emotional, bodily and metaphysical possibilities of an art keenly aware of the senses, especially touch. They are working directly with the remarkable atmosphere and spaces of the Crypt Gallery, a former burial site under St Pancras Church in London. Through sculpture,

Copyright © 2011 Institute for Human Centered Design, All Rights Reserved moving image, sound and installation, Just Under the Surface will create deeply immersive environments where multi-sensory encounters are actively encouraged.

The four artists are Rosalyn Driscoll, a long-time friend of IHCD's and tactile sculptor who has pieces displayed in IHCD, Tereza Stehlikova, film-maker, Bonnie Kemske, ceramic artist, and Anais Tondeur, textile artist.

The artists are partnering with a scientist and a philosopher who will document people's responses to the exhibit using complementary scientific methods. This documentation is as ground-breaking as the exhibit; by correlating quantitative biophysical data with in-depth interviews, a deeply integrated portrait of the sensory, aesthetic experience will begin to take shape. The results will be analyzed with the artists, and the findings will be disseminated through articles, conferences, presentations, workshops and future collaborations.

Just Under the Surface will be on view May 5-19, 2011 at Crypt Gallery, Euston Road, London.

______The Second Annual Better Learning by Design Conference

The University of Vermont's Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Project invites you to attend "The Second Annual Better Learning by Design" conference on June 1st-2nd, 2011 at the Dudley H. Davis Center, University of Vermont. This two day conference gathers nationally known experts and offers the opportunity to become knowledgeable in the theory and application of UDL principles.

Keynote speakers include David Rose, Ed.D., and Skip Stahl. Dr. Rose helped to found The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) with a vision of expanding opportunities for all students, especially those with disabilities, through the innovative development and application of technology. Stahl is the Director of the federally funded NIMAS Center, where he leads a national initiative implementing the transformation of K-12 textbooks into specialized accessible formats for students with print disabilities.

Register today!

New IHCDstore Product

The Blue Q Bags: A Mothers' Day Treat

Do something nice for the mothers in your life and for Mother Earth by purchasing a Blue Q Bag at IHCDstore in time for Mothers' Day (May 8th).

Blue Q creates attractive vegan bags & pouches made from 95% recycled post consumer material. It gives these eco friendly items a fun crinkled look that's super durable. 1% of the sale of Blue Q bags goes to support the conservation work of The Nature Conservancy, which is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

------

IHCDstore is now listed on Yelp! We would really appreciate it if those interested could write a review of IHCDstore. The more ratings we have on yelp, the more searchable we are! THANKS!

Featured Publications

Healing Spaces In her new book, Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being , neuroendocrine immunologist Esther Sternberg gives scientific evidence to support the notion that where you heal has an impact on how well and how fast you heal. Her thesis ties the healing process to key physiological pairings: the relationship between sensory perception and the brain, the brain's connections to the immune system, and the interplay between emotions and the nervous system. She shows that stress and relaxation responses acting on our endocrine system can either retard or promote well-being. She also explores the ways we map and experience "place" and the physiological mechanisms that are involved in that phenomenon.

Read more from Judy Borree's June 5th, 2009 article in The Scientist Magazine.

Your Support

We invite you to consider IHCD in your giving plans. We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization so your full donation can be taken as a tax deduction. A great deal of work, especially those projects working on inclusive design with low-income communities in the US and developing nations around the world, are not supported by contract or foundation support.

Your gift can help keep that important work alive. IHCD welcomes your support at any level and can accommodate gifts of both cash and other forms of assets. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Gabriela Sims at [email protected] or she can be reached at 617-695-1225 x222.

Sponsorship Opportunities

E-Newsletter Sponsorship

IHCD's electronic newsletters feature news, recent presentations by IHCD staff, upcoming lectures and events, publications, and new IHCDstore products. Sponsors of the newsletters will receive prominent, exclusive placement.

Please contact Eliza Kaye for more information on how to become a sponsor:

Eliza Kaye 617-695-1225, x235 (v/tty) [email protected]