Universal design is most often a concept applied to
buildings. But there are those at work to try to bring the idea of
design for everyone to other arenas -- like boats.
Boats
might be the last frontier for accessibility. Just the act of even
getting on and off a boat can be an adventure for someone who uses a
wheelchair, or even just someone who has trouble lifting their legs or
other mobility limitations. We've experienced it ourselves. For
example, I remember carrying our son -- a wheelchair user -- up and
down a ramp for a tour boat operating from Chicago's Navy Pier. Then
again, I remember also being able to roll right on to another tour boat
in New York via an almost flat ramp.
That's why I was really cheered to learn that Scott Rains, inclusive travel expert and blogger, and Sherri Backstrom, director, Waypoint Yacht Charter Services, Bellingham, Wash., are working on a bringing further exposure to a set of principles bringing Universal Design to the water.
A quote from a draft of the statement of the principles to be published soon:
"Seaworthiness is a measure of the fit between the
environment a watercraft must navigate and the ability of humans to use that
craft for their own purposes. Universal Design captures this essential dynamic
at the core of seaworthiness."
The
hopes appears to be to get these principles applied to craft from
kayaks to cruise ships. The opening up of recreational and
transportation alternatives if more Universal Design was incorporated
into watercraft would be tremendous. And as with all universal design
efforts, it would not be so much an accommodation that has to be made,
but something that is seamless and just is there.
I wish Scott and Sherri every success in this endeavor.
Photo of Scott Rains
