The Virginia Business Leadership Network (VABLN) and the Richmond Area Diversity Roundtable (RADR) will host a program on Universal Design featuring Rex Pace from the U.S. Access Board.
Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Program: Representative from the U.S. Access Board will be the opening speaker followed by a panel discussion.
The thinking behind Universal Design is that buildings and products can be created to meet the needs of the wide range of human abilities, including physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities, as well as different body sizes and shapes. By designing with this diversity in mind, buildings and products can be created to be more functional and more user-friendly for everyone. Universal Design evolved from Accessible Design, a design process that specifically addresses the needs of people with disabilities. Universal Design goes a step further with a focus on how to design, build and manage buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size ability or disability.
Mr. Pace will discuss the current state of and future vision for regulations and policies the Access Board is tasked to uphold. He and other experts will share effective practices regarding ensuring accessible workplace spaces. Participants will learn many specifics to help them evaluate if their organization is meeting the requirements of Universal Design. Participants will be able to ask questions of subject matter experts, as well as have the opportunity to network with these experts and other professionals to develop a network for post-program collaboration.
The panel of experts will include:
Dr. Dick Fisher (TENTATIVE)
As an additional benefit, participants will have the opportunity to tour the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired which was built according to the guidelines for Universal Design, as well as hear from one of the architects who designed the building.
The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology. (http://www.access-board.gov/)
Credit Status: Program has been submitted to HRCI and to SHRM for 2.00 credits (GENERAL and PDC).
Taylor Muniz, Vice President, Moseley Architects
Paula McMahon, ADA Coordinator, Virginia Commonwealth University