Understanding Universal Design by Simulations About Socially Inclusive Environments

This book is about a research strategy to assess relationships between user's visual thinking processes triggered by exposure to a photo-questionnaire and user's experiential immersion in simulated activities that focused on mobility and wayfinding problems. Among visual resources, a collection of photo montages suggested Universal Design related concepts such as integrated design features for social inclusion. Expectations were that this online material could function in one of the following ways: First, it could foster reflective thinking about participants' involvement with the Universal Design model; Second, it could stimulate reflective thinking shortly after hands-on active thinking in the role-playing simulation exercise; Third, it could be a combination of previous functions, creating a more receptive attitude and helping participants develop understanding of the role of design for "user-friendly" environments. Conclusive evidence suggests that the subtle and underlying messages of online material when presented after role-playing simulation could generate meaningful reflective thinking by gains in both interpretation and comprehension score levels of understanding.

Architect in Brazil, Ph.D. in Design from NCSU-USA, M.Arch from SUNY-Buffalo, Professor of Architecture and Director of ADAPTSE– a laboratory for universal design of accessibility through research and extension service, at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil.