Why We Need Universal Design | Michael Nesmith | TEDxBoulder

Summary

This video highlights the unique challenges and creative solutions faced by a deaf designer working at Amazon. It explores universal design, emphasizing how everyone has some form of disability, whether permanent or temporary. The speaker shares personal experiences, such as helping his hearing wife understand Icelandic sign language and developing innovative ideas like using Google Glass for movie subtitles. The message underscores how disability drives innovation and how universal design benefits not only those with disabilities but everyone. The speaker urges the audience to think beyond awkward encounters and create solutions that make life more accessible for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 Disability drives innovation, prompting the creation of new solutions for diverse needs.
• 😀 Everyone has a disability, whether permanent or temporary, and must navigate challenges in unique ways.
• 😀 Universal design aims to create products and environments usable by everyone without specialized adaptations.
• 😀 The concept of universal design is exemplified by everyday objects, like doorknobs, which can be improved to accommodate more people.
• 😀 Solutions for accessibility often start with simple changes that benefit not only people with disabilities but everyone.
• 😀 Communication can be challenging for people with disabilities, and creative solutions are needed to bridge the gaps.
• 😀 Design improvements, such as the door lever, make everyday tasks more accessible to a wider range of people.
• 😀 Technology, such as Google Glass, can be harnessed for innovative accessibility solutions, as seen with movie scripts for deaf individuals.
• 😀 Universal design benefits more than just people with disabilities by making products accessible to all, including those in different countries or with different needs.
• 😀 Sharing solutions to accessibility challenges unites us as humans and makes the world more inclusive for everyone.

Q & A

What is the main message of the script?

The main message of the script is about universal design and how disability, whether permanent or temporary, drives innovation. It emphasizes that accessible solutions benefit everyone, not just those with specific disabilities.

How does the speaker describe the concept of universal design?

Universal design is described as the design of products and environments that are usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It’s about creating solutions that include everyone.

What is the significance of the 'awkward dance' story?

The 'awkward dance' story illustrates the challenge of navigating social situations when communication barriers exist. It highlights how a deaf person might interact with a blind person and how nonverbal communication can bridge these barriers, emphasizing the importance of empathy and innovation in problem-solving.

How does the speaker relate their personal experience to the concept of universal design?

The speaker shares personal experiences, such as being a deaf person working in design for Amazon, to demonstrate how their daily life involves creating solutions that are accessible to people from different backgrounds. This includes adapting their communication style and using creative solutions to ensure accessibility.

Why does the speaker believe everyone has a disability?

The speaker argues that everyone has a disability, whether it is temporary or permanent. Examples include being pregnant, having a broken arm, being older, or being a child. The point is that everyone has to navigate challenges and adapt, just like people with disabilities.

How does the speaker's experience with their wife in Iceland highlight universal design?

In Iceland, the speaker interpreted for their wife, who is hearing, in a situation where neither could understand the local sign language. This scenario highlights how universal design in communication can be applied across different languages and cultures, making solutions more inclusive.

What role does disability play in driving innovation, according to the speaker?

Disability is seen as a catalyst for innovation. The existence of disability forces individuals to come up with creative solutions that benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. Disability challenges designers to think in new ways to make things accessible to all.

What is the example of universal design used with a doorknob?

The speaker uses the doorknob as an example of design that isn’t universally accessible. While it’s challenging for children and people with arthritis, a door lever is a better solution. However, even a door lever is difficult for people in wheelchairs or parents with strollers, which is why automatic sliding doors are a superior universal design.

What was the speaker's idea to make Google Glass more accessible for people like their mother?

The speaker imagined using Google Glass to display movie subtitles for people who are deaf. The idea was to create an app that could sync with movie scripts and display them in real-time, allowing people to watch movies in any theater without needing special equipment.

What is the significance of the speaker's project involving Google Glass?

The Google Glass project was significant because it showcased how technology can be adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The app enabled deaf people to access subtitles in movie theaters, thus improving their experience without relying on outdated or inconvenient equipment.