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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. linkonline.com.au