Universal Design Challenge 2011

Universal Design 2011 Invitation

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority (NDA) invites you to attend two key events, in one afternoon, for free.

Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education
6 brief presentations on new projects advancing UD for education in Ireland

Universal Design Challenge 2011 – Judging and Awards

Help judge team designs from the 2 day Universal Design Challenge 2011. The theme for 2011 is Everyday Consumer Products.

Keynote on design by Brian Stephens, Director of Design Partners

When: 13:00 – 17:00 Friday

Where: Tullamore, Co Offaly. Only 90 minutes from Dublin.

See http://www.tullamorecourthotel.ie/location for directions and travel

Who should attend:

    • Key representatives of design education in Ireland
    • 2nd and 3rd level design related course lecturers and students
    • Professional designers (architects, products, services, technology)
    • All interested parties welcome

Why attend: Be at the front of learning about research and standards projects that are developing the foundations for promoting Universal Design (UD) in Irish education. Irish graduates educated in UD will improve products, services and environments so that they can be used, understood and enjoyed by all people regardless of their age, size, abilities or disabilities. The Flash Conference will show you how UD is being introduced at 2nd level, being integrated at 3rd level and in CPD. The UD Challenge 2011 will demonstrate UD being applied by designers and students in a fun and informative competition.

RSVP: Linda Rowan atlbrowan@nda.ie or (01) 6080 456 by 26th October, 2011, indicating any dietary and accessibility requirements. No meals provided but light refreshments will be available. Seating is limited to registered attendees only.

(All places on the Design Teams for the Universal Design Challenge are now filled)

Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education
The Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education on November 4th, 2011 will briefly showcase 6 projects advancing Universal Design in education in Ireland. The research represents advances in embedding Universal Design into curriculum for design, engineering, architecture and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The projects to promote Universal Design in Irish education will show alignment with best practice in creativity, usability, accessibility and knowledge translation.

The projects represent CEUDs national and international collaborations with:

    • Blancahardstown Institute of Technology
    • Dublin Institute of Technology
    • Cambridge University, UK, Engineering Design Centre
    • Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology
    • National Council for the Blind, Ireland
    • National University Ireland, Maynooth
    • Trinity College Dublin
    • University at Buffalo, NY, USA

Agenda 13:00 – 15:00

Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education

  • 13:00 UD Curriculum for training ICT Professionals, D. Rice, CEUD
    (This recently published European Standard sets curriculum for CPD training)
  • 13:15 UD tools for the Need to Knowledge Model, J. Condron, DIT/UB, USA
  • (This research is linking UD to the USA model for product development)

  • 13:30 UD Product Design Curriculum for Engineering, S. Hermann, TCD
  • (This research is preparing tools to support UD curriculum in engineering)

  • 13:45 UD Rating Scale Development for Buildings, E. O’Shea, TCD
  • (This research is setting evidence for rating the Universal Design of buildings)

  • 14:00 UD Module for 2nd Level Transition Year, I. Hosking, EDC, Cambridge
  • (This project is piloting the “Designing our Tomorrow” module in Ireland)

  • 14:15 UD 3rd Level Module for Design and Engineering, D. Gordon, DIT/NUIM
  • (This project is preparing national curriculum on UD for 3rd Level in Ireland)
  • 14:30 Q & A - Discussion, G. Craddock, Chief Officer, CEUD

    Universal Design Challenge 2011 Awards Programme

    The Universal Design Challenge 2011 is a two day competition for design teams working to a design brief to present a new Universal Design idea. The theme for 2011 is Universal Design for Everyday Consumer Products. The immersive challenge format embeds Universal Design as a memorable design experience.

    Five teams of 3rd level design students and recent graduates from across Ireland are mentored by experienced designers as they compete to win awards and prizes. Design users with diverse abilities and disabilities participate as consumer advisors with the design teams to ensure usability and accessibility of the designs.

    The Universal Design Challenge Awards Programme final team presentations will be coordinated by Julia Cassim of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art. The design teams will pitch their new design concepts to the audience. A jury and audience vote will select the winning team. Brian Stephens will keynote the event and the awards will be presented.

    Agenda 15:00 – 17:00

    Universal Design Challenge 2011 Awards

    15:00 Welcome Address - Ger Craddock, CEUD/NDA
    Team introductions - Julia Cassim, RCA/HHCD
    Universal Design Challenge 2011 - overview
    Jury and audience voting process described

    15:30 Design team presentations (6 minutes each)

    16:15 People’s choice award

    Keynote - Presentation on Design by Brian Stephens, Design Partners

    16:45 Awards Presentation

    17:00 Close and Reception

    The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) was established by the National Disability Authority (NDA) in January 2007 under the Disability Act 2005. Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. This includes public places in the built environment such as buildings, streets or spaces that the public have access to; products and services provided in those places; and systems that are available including information and communications technology (ICT). The Centre is dedicated to the principle of universal access, enabling people in Ireland to participate in a society that takes account of human difference and to interact with their environment to the best of their ability.