news
new uni centre for develop long-lasting solutions to the
disability innovation practical challenges experienced by
D
isability researchers at the
University of New South
Wales (UNSW) in Sydney are
working to help transform the
lives of people with disability
by harnessing research and
innovation across all faculties
and disciplines.
Their Disability Innovation
Visiting Fellow at UNSW Professor
Rosemary Kayess said the institute
will go well beyond merely improving
physical access for people with
disability.
“It will cover human rights law,
how to embed disability into the
design of STEM research, architecture
Professor Karen Fisher.
and the built environment, how people
engage, how we communicate, how
Institute, to be launched this year, we transact,” she said. Group of Eight universities have
will be a platform to combine disability initiatives of some kind but no
disability studies with STEM (Science, innovation is stimulated by unexpected university-based initiative in Australia
Technology, Engineering and connections and by necessity. offers the scale and complete cross-
Medicine) and HAS (Humanities and faculty, inclusive disability focus that
Science) research. happens,” Professor Fisher says.
Professor Karen Fisher says
“Disability is one area where this
Fisher says that five of Australia’s
government and business are seeking.
“But these innovations can have the
will collaborate with people with potential for a much wider impact to provide a unique connection
disability to identify, understand and and use across society. Smart home between UNSW scholars, community,
research solutions to the practical technology is a good example. industry, services, government and
challenges faced by people with Another is electronic voting, which practitioners to fully utilise the creativity
disability. A Disability Inclusion was developed for accessibility but and innovation at our disposal and
Maker’s Exchange will connect is now extending to the rest of the transform the lives of millions of people
scholars, makers and users to electorate.” with disability,” she said.
build it well
The interdisciplinary institute
D
10
people with disability.
“In a nutshell, universal design
means that whether you are learning
ignity Party MLC Kelly
Vincent will host the
‘Designing and Building For
All Universal Design Forum’
in Adelaide on October 26. to walk, moving furniture, wheeling
designers and builders to participate
“I am organising this event to
“The institute offers the opportunity
luggage, a pram, a wheelchair, a
bicycle or unpacking shopping, the
built environment welcomes you.
“I am keen for local architects,
build on my success in ensuring and share the vision of universal participants to share their ideas about
universal design principles are design that will reflect our lifestyle, how we can incorporate universal
considered in South Australian and last a lifetime.” design for the benefit of all,” she said.
planning law,” says Kelly Vincent.
offers an inspiring new frontier of All: Universal Design Forum Adelaide’
universal design creates human- design challenge. will be held on October 26, 8.30am
centred spaces that are easier for all to 5pm, at the Adelaide Convention
of us to negotiate across our lifespan. event in Adelaide, and welcome
“This is important, because
news
Ms Vincent said universal design
“I’m proud to be hosting this
The ‘Designing and Building For
Centre.
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