THE CODE CONNECTION

Comedy and Tragedy.  Humble apologies to all the visitors to the Code Connection for not posting in the past few weeks.  Your host has suffered a broken right arm (and I'm right handed of course), busted knee and a bruised ego and is having a little trouble functioning.  Nothing like a forced visit to the hospital to make you appreciate universal design and the ADA.

The best part is that I had fun getting there.  Me and a flock of my college classmates were well into our second day of three on our "Biennialle" - our bi-annual high-adventure to face death head-on in the world's most beautiful places - when disaster struck.  This year we were on a Navajo horse trail ride, primitive camping etc. in the Canyon De Chelly in Arizona.  Absolutely spectacular!  Even though its a national park, the land we were staying on in the base of the canyon belongs to the Navajo.  As luck would have it I ended up on a horse named Chase, the main stud amongst a herd in heat.  Chase an I got along great for two days.  Up and down steep canyon walls, through streams, you name it.  Suddenly, while standing in a clearing waiting for others to catch up, ol' Chase gets spooked.  WHOMP!  I was on the ground just like that.  Too badly injured to climb back up on the horse it took a couple hours of hobbling to the next ranch, a Navajo guide climbing the verticle canyon wall for help and another 8 hours to make to the emergency room. 

It wasn't all bad, while waiting for the transport out (a rust bucket we had to repair after it arrived) I was able to enjoy a great cabernet and authentic Navajo tacos for dinner while laughing through the pain.  The campfire, college songs, Navajo stories and a traditional cigar aficionado salute made it all worth while as we watched the sunset on the red canyon walls.  Bring on the next adventure!

Little things can make a BIG difference.  Whether you or a loved one has a temporary or permanent disability, a degenerative disease, or are just trying to age with grace, life's everyday activities can become impossible challenges.  Enter Assistive Technology (AT) to rescue the day - or even a tiny moment. 

Architects normally think about universal design, accessibility, the ADA etc. on a "macro" scale.  Getting into a building, accessible parking at the grocery store, accessible restrooms etc.  But it usually takes a lot more than that to really get the job done.  Assistive technology is the fast growing field of technological aids to make everyday independent functioning possible for millions of people.  Just think about the simple things most folks take for granted: putting socks on, pouring hot coffee (while looking with your eyes), using a computer, playing cards, turning a doorknob, opening a jar of jelly, eating with a fork, getting out of the car.  The list is endless but you can imagine how extensive the efforts can be.  Fortunately designers and manufacturers are working hard to solve these problems with all kinds of new gadgets and emerging technology. 

This is serious business.  Hence, my latest addition to the Code Connection's Editor's Choice Links is the AT Network - www.atnet.org .  This is a fantastic site under the guideance of Patricia Yeager with all kinds of help on AT advocacy, resources and education.  Check it out and pass it on.  You'll probably find something of help for someone you know and care for.

Once in a while someone comes up with an idea that's too cool not to share. This week it's VISITABILITY. I often get questions and comments from citizens about the housing needs of the elderly or disabled. Usually its a plea for more senior housing. The implied message of course is that seniors are having trouble getting around in their own homes. I'm not referring to the typical needs of those needing assisted living or nursing care. Its folks like your grandparents that have trouble navigating stairs, use a walker, a cane or even a wheelchair but otherwise are healthy individuals. Enter Elanor Smith, founder of Concrete Change. Some simple changes to existing or new homes can solve these problems and extend the time that we live in the homes and neighborhoods we love. Check out the press release below and go to their web site www.concretechange.org.

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Thanks to Scott Rains for passing this on to the Code Connection.  Sponsored by Shared Adventures in Santa Cruz California, the 12th ANNUAL DAY ON THE BEACH is a tremendous example of how well people with disabilites can fare in the outdoors.  Their positive outlook is on Ability Awareness - nothing is impossible with the right attitude.  See the whole story youself in pictures.  With any luck at all other communities accross the country will see the possibilites too.

They are finally here! Long awaited new guidelines from the Access Board have been coordinated with model code organizations and will hopefully soon be making their way into state and federal laws as new model codes are adopted. This is a milestone for Accessibility. Not only are the technical guidelines improved they are more coordinated (universal) and easier to understand. "The U.S. Access Board announces the release of new design guidelines that cover access for people with disabilities under the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The guidelines update access requirements for a wide range of facilities in the public and private sectors covered by the law. "These guidelines are our guarantee that when a building is built or renovated anywhere in the nation, its doors are wide open to our citizens with disabilities," noted Jan Tuck, Vice Chair of the Board. It is estimated that 54 million Americans have some type of disability. ...

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One of my favorite e-zines is 360mag.com . You can read the teasers on the home page but you need a free member Username and Password to get the whole story. A recent article tells how theaters and moviegoers have been at odds over the rules for stadium style seating. Unfortunately, when the new theater styles came out the owners and their architects were using the only rule book they had, the ADAAG standard in place at that time. And as time passes new issues, previously considered a lower priority are moving to the "front burner." Sight lines are a lot bigger issue today than they were 10years ago. So what can we learn from this? This story just one example of how culture, technology and the law are often out of sync. Architects and building owners who are on the ball are wise consider the long term view. As a general principle designers shouldn't just be thinking about the current "rule book" but looking also for the larger principle of "equal access" or "access for all - everywhere". Whenever responding to the next wave of culture and technology (often driven by money and markets), applying the principles of universal design can make a difference. The rule book is there to help set minimum standards but design professionals have to move beyond this and THINK. Owners have to be persuaded that equal access is an investment and not just an expense. Here's the rest of the story from 360mag.com: ...

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