![]() But ideally those tweaks never happen in isolation. The noise factor needs to be accounted for in design and adjusted when necessary, said Pinchbeck. Take someone who is easily overwhelmed by auditory stimulation, for example: “It may be that there's so much reverberation in that space, you're using up too much brain capacity to focus on what’s happening.” Think of it more like a necklace-you need to have all of the pearls stringed properly.” Lara Pinchbeck “When we just say, ‘We'll make sure that this building is accessible for this group of people,’ it turns out it's not accessible for another group. “There's a lot of information available about how to make a space accessible for people with mobility challenges, but when you look at invisible disability-say somebody with a brain injury”-targeted design expertise is thin on the ground, she said. “My dream is to be an adviser for designers, and to be able to give them knowledge to make sure we have as many places that are as accessible as possible,” said Pinchbeck. ![]() Lara Pinchbeck’s doctoral thesis expands on a master’s thesis under the supervision of design anthropologist Megan Strickfaden that took a close look at how universal design principles accommodate “stories of lived experience.” Understanding the space requirements of those varied needs is a highly specialized skill set, and one of the leading practitioners in Alberta is pursuing a trailblazing doctorate on the subject in the University of Alberta’s Department of Human Ecology. ![]() When designing spaces for people living with disabilities, there’s more to consider than whether they are physically accessible.Ī greater challenge is making sure the environments we work and live in accommodate “invisible” or “hidden” disabilities-a long list of conditions that range from hearing impairment to autism to anxiety disorders. ![]()
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