"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." -- Mark Twain Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Today’s Goal 1.Thank Differently! 2.What really is a “disability”? 3.Aging? Who Me? 4.Universal Design Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Turn to the person sitting next to you and define yourself in ONE word Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

It’s Just a Label Disabled Alzheimer's patient Suffers from Dementia Wheelchair Bound Amputee Schizophrenic ALS Patient Spina Bifida Diabetic Traumatic Brain Injury Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

What’s in a label ? “Disability” does not define or is not the person. “Disability” is created by poorly created buildings, materials, bad attitudes and not by the uniqueness of individuals Stairs, text, others needing to be educated and our persistence to one way of doing things create a “disability” Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

“All of us have or will confront age-specific issues that must be overcome if we are to successfully cope with various life stages.” Gall & Swabo, Psychosocial Aspects of Aging We are living longer and with fewer conditions than the generations before. How do we accomplish this as independently as possible, with dignity? Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Negative Stereotypes linked with traits of older adults: Severely challenged -> Slow-thinking, feeble, senile Despondent -> Sad, hopeless, afraid, lonely Shrew/curmudgeon, Ill-tempered, stubborn, bitter Recluse -> Quiet, timid, naïve Angry Dependent, cant live alone Cant see, cant walk, cant hear CAN’T, CAN’T, CAN’T

Positive Stereotypes -> Traits Golden-ager -> Active, independent, happy Loving, supportive, wise, kind Patriotic, proud, religious Perfect grandparent Wonderful friend Great story teller Giving, volunteer, helping others Wife, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, fiancé

“Ageism” ~discrimination based on age, especially prejudice against older people As we age, society’s assumptions and stereotypes greatly restrict the roles that are available for that us. Gall & Swabo, Psychosocial Aspects of Aging Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

√According to an AARP housing survey, 83% of older Americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives. √U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates over 622,000 people over age 65 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products they live with and use everyday. √Many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented.

Let’s change the paradigm! Let’s think differently! Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

In the U.S., we pay to kill cockroaches and spiders. In Thailand, people pay to eat cockroaches and spiders. Great change has always come from thinking outside the box. Thai Nguyen - That which is familiar, can “cripple” us, can force our thinking into a prison. Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Provides age-friendly environments and opportunities to make healthy choices, which will enhance independence and quality of life. ” Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston Universal Design “Enabling Rather than Disabling”

Successful aging has been defined to include: (1) a low probability of disease and disease- related disability; (2) a high level of physical and cognitive functioning try UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING! (3) an active engagement in life try UNIVERAL DESIGN! Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – 1: The WHAT - Provide multiple means of representation, gives a variety of ways to obtain and absorb information and knowledge. Examples: written and verbal guidance, pictures, tactile materials, speech to text/text to speech technology, 15

2: The HOW - Provide multiple means of action and expression provides alternatives for demonstrating what we know. Examples: photographs, visuals, art and movement, sign language, communication boards Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

3: The WHY - Provide multiple means of engagement includes a variety of ways to engage in learning. Examples: use of Flipcam to assist with capturing stories Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston Whilst volunteer biographers record life stories, aged care staff have important clinical insights into the conditions of residents...

Universal Design for Everyone Closed Captioning is used by couples, people at the gym, bar patrons and travelers at airports Curb cuts are used by mother’s with strollers, bicyclists, people pushing cards and seniors Electric doors help when we have coffee in one hand and bags in the other. Books on tape are used by automobile drivers, students, and the elderly

entrances with no steps that make it easier to enter a building wider doorways that are easier for everyone to enter, enhance interior circulation, and add a more spacious lever door handles instead of door knobs that are easier to open by everyone single-lever controls on faucets that are easier to operate and make adjustments of water temperature and volume simple for everyone light switches and electrical receptacles located at a height that is more reachable by those who may have trouble bending over or reaching up All materials provided in large print with black ink on white paper Repeating questions and comments when conversing in a large group Universal design: Specific features that are more usable by everyone 19

20

“puff paint” to mark dials, rulers changes in schedules modified tables, desks, workspaces talking watches, calculators, rulers private, quiet space no scent policy headphones technology solutions, computer software color coded tape photos and visuals used with text verbal or audio descriptions of visuals and videos audio-recorded, Braille or electronic-formatted notes, handouts, and text instructions provided in multiple formats, including visual, auditory and tactile captioned presentations and conferences large print materials, contract enhanced (black type on white paper, simple font) 21

Body Fit: Accommodate people with the widest range of body sizes, postures and movement abilities Sufficient space between furniture, tables, etc. for maneuverability in spaces 22

Perceptible Information IKEA Assembly Instruction 23

Adaptive products and simple alterations can prevent one-third of all home accidents An Adaptive Product is any piece of equipment or device used to perform specific tasks, improve functional capabilities, and increase self- sufficiency.

Universal designs are places, products and systems that everyone can use.…with a disability, are left handed, are 8 or 80 years old, are very short or very tall.

Graphics demonstrate the use of products that are unfamiliar. Utensils like Oxo Good Grips offer enhanced usabili ty to all; with ergonomically designed handles and a better gripping surface without giving up a sense of "style."

These measuring spoons are easy to grip, color coded, and have large type and contrast. Cut Resistant Gloves are made out of a light-weight man-made fiber that will protect you from a knife's blade

Universal Design can be as simple as a tool which allows you to single- handedly hold, cut and lift the ingredien ts for your snack tray.

Sometimes Universal Design is simply good, com mon sense design. This largely available remote control with large, high contrast buttons, makes it easy to see and feel.

Personal Safety Alarm & Flashlight Carry this portable compact alarm to assist in personal protection and safety. Radio Shack Pendant Remote - assistance at the touch of a button! Can dial up to four numbers or sound an alarm without having to be anywhere near the phone!

Glow Tape Achieves maximum glow at night to help individuals to locate needed articles and prevent nighttime accidents. Voice Activated Switch can control the electricity for a lamp or fan, turning it on or off at the command of your voice

Soap on a rope secured to something reachable, to avoid reaching and stooping or slipping on a dropped soap. Store daily used items between waist and eye level to avoid reaching and bending, which causes a lot of falls. Remove scatter rugs in the home to avoid falls. Avoid knit socks or slippers: walking on linoleum or hardwood floors cause many falls. Remove electrical or telephone cords from traffic areas. Raised tactile dots to locate on/off controls Avoid using slippery wax on floors. Make sure lights can be turned without having to walk through dark areas, e.g. motion sensor lights, Use nightlights.

LOW Tech puff paint to make raised markings & to color code rulers, calculators and keys dowels beside wall phones, near/in elevators and doorbells colored tape to mark step edges, varying levels, sharp corners and protruding objects grit strips and paint to use on inclines, stairs & rails rubberized grip sheets to wrap around tools and utensils rubberized paint to coat keys, tools, scissors, knobs, rails color coding keys tools, pens, scissors attached to cords for easy retrieval lids around tables, desks

High Tech talking watches, calendars, medicine reminders screen reading software with synthesized speech compact material handling devices to lift and carry voice activated tape recorder automatic door opener emergency evacuation devices “talking signs” - hand-held receiver decodes a signal and delivers a voice message through speaker or headset electronic organizer

Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston Great Resource! Database for unbiased, comprehensive information on products, solutions and resources to improve productivity and ease life’s tasks. Hands free hair dryer

Just remember... Adaptive Products and Universal Design are to Enhancing Our Daily Living AS Anti-Wrinkle Cream is to Enhancing Our Looks

Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston