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In Pursuit of Equity: A Symposium to Re-envision the Center for Universal Design

Calling all professionals, academics, researchers and others working in the fields of universal design, inclusive design and building equity!

Please join us for a virtual event to discuss re-envisioning the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. The Center for Universal Design (CUD) was established in 1989 to build upon the understanding of accessible design for people with disabilities. One of the most prolific deliverables from the CUD was the Seven Principles of Universal Design, a guiding framework for designing accessible, usable, and inclusive environments for all people regardless of ability, age, or status in life. Despite its lasting impact, the CUD has been inactive for more than a decade.

The College of Design at NC State has been issued a grant to reinvest in the CUD given increasing interest in related efforts such as inclusive design and building equity. This virtual symposium intends to collaborate with like-minded peers and colleagues as we lay the foundational roadmap for the future of the CUD. The symposium will include a mix of informational panels and breakout sessions, during which we will address questions such as:

  • How do we incorporate emerging efforts related to inclusive design and building equity with traditional models of universal design?
  • Should future iterations of universal design aim to address race, gender, LGBTQ+ identity, as well as disability status and other personal identities? If so, how can this work be achieved?
  • What is the role of equity in past and future iterations of universal design?

Watch the Recording

This event took place on March 21, 2024.

Questions

For any questions about this event, please contact Dr. Traci Rose Rider at traci_rider@ncsu.edu.

Agenda and Speakers

The symposium will feature presentations from the following experts:

Opening remarks

headshot of Mary Jo Peterson

Mary Jo Peterson
President, Mary Jo Peterson, Inc.
Kitchen, bath and universal design expert

Mary Jo Peterson is a certified master kitchen and bath designer as well as a certified aging-in-place designer and living-in-place professional whose work has earned national recognition.  Her Connecticut-based design firm, Mary Jo Peterson, Inc., provides residential design support nationwide. Author of numerous books and articles, Mary Jo is a frequent national speaker and educator, and a regular columnist at Kitchen and Bath Design News. Her work with builders, architects, remodelers, manufacturers, and private clients contributes to the evolving integration of access and beautiful design, in the kitchen, the bath, and all throughout the house.

Panel One: A History of the Center for Universal Design

Panel Two: The Future of Universal Design, Inclusion and Equity

Hosts