Affiliations: Department of Industrial Design, Center for Universal Design, College of Design, North Carolina State University, Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701, USA. Tel.: +1 919 513 0825; Fax: +1 919 515 7330; E-mail: Sharon_Joines@ncsu.edu | Tree of Life Services, Richmond, VA, USA
Abstract: Objectives:To inform clinicians, caregivers and researchers involved with assessing and treating individuals with neurological disabilities of the benefits of universal design in enhancing quality of life. The improvement of quality of life has the potential to benefit the individuals with neurological disabilities and those whose lives overlap and intersect with those individuals. Methods:Literature and design reviews are used as a foundation for a model for incorporating and leveraging universal design to the benefit of the patient’s social sphere, which includes caregivers, family members and medical staff. By matching patients varied abilities with universal design solutions, the model of universal design benefitting the patients’ social sphere will be demonstrated. Recommendations:Recommendations are made for clinicians and researchers that they may use in their practices and investigations in three areas: 1) educating patients to the benefits of universal design, 2) helping inform patients how to leverage universally designed products and approaches in their lives and living spaces and 3) understanding how to incorporate universal design principles into research and clinical spaces as demonstration pieces for patients.
Keywords: Universal Design, neurological disabilities, inclusive design, design for all, stroke, spinal cord injury
