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Universal Design with U in Mind

In class this past week we were asked to watch the TED talk "Why We Need Universal Design", presented by Michael Nesmith, who is deaf. He begins his talk by telling a story of what happened to a friend of his, who is also deaf. His friend was going down the hallway and another man was walking towards him. The friend and the man started doing that awkward dance when two people both go the same way down a hallway. The friend saw that the other man was blind. The blind man starts to speak to the deaf man. The deaf man tries to sign that he is deaf, but realizes that the blind man can't see it. The deaf man tries to type a message to the blind man, but realizes that he can't see that either. The deaf man takes the hand of the blind man, puts it on his ear while shaking his head no. The blind man then understood that the man was deaf. They both laughed and went their separate ways. In this example, Nesmith was showing how people have to adapt to be understood.

Nesmith then gives another example of adaptation over time. He talks about how difficult it can be for some populations to use a doorknob, which can be replaced with the lever knob, easier because it does not require torque, but difficult for parents with strollers or those in wheelchairs to use. Then how do you have a door that works for everyone? The automatic sliding door is a universal design, aka it works for everyone without any modifications. 

In a perfect world, there would be no need for modifications, but then OT wouldn't exist. The next best thing would be universal design. With universal design, it is made for those with and without disability in mind, therefore benefitting everyone. When everyone benefits from modification their lives are enriched and the stigma of using modifications is taken away. 


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