Creating an Autism-Friendly Vocational Center (USA)

Post Reply New Topic

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been effective in establishing building standards that create accessible spaces for people with physical impairments. These guidelines have not addressed the needs of people with mental, emotional, and/or developmental disabilities. With the increase in autism diagnosis, designers/architects need to expand their planning to include more universal solutions. The purpose is to demonstrate ways of designing beyond ADA to address needs of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To design effectively, designers/architects must identify sensory issues that influence these children in establishing a regulatory state enabling effective interaction with neurotypical peers. Design is also important for teachers, therapists, and parents of children with ASD to enable more successful interactions. If the environment is overstimulating for a child with ASD, then a parent/caregiver/therapist will struggle to achieve their goals. Mostafa recommended seven design criteria known as ASPECTSS™: Acoustics, Spatial sequencing, Escape spaces, Compartmentalization, Transition spaces, Sensory zoning, and Safety, when designing for people with ASD. These classifications lay the groundwork for the established guidelines. As designers/architects, we have a responsibility to create inclusive environments. To help, the authors highlighted a vocational center showing one plan that meets ADA guidelines and another that illustrates additional environmental features addressing the needs of people with ASD. These criteria originated from evidence-based solutions derived from a literature review and personal interview. These recommendations demonstrate that sensitivity to the needs of people with autism creates a solution that is better for all people.
KEYWORDS:

ADA; ASD; ASPECTSS; architecture; autism; design; disability; environment; guidelines; sensory

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/318 ... t=Abstract

That would be great if anything material ever comes of it, but I have a hard time being optimistic.

I've been working on creating a digital media company to offer better at-home employment and education opportunities for disadvantaged people and caretakers through solely my own initiative and finances - no public resources involved other than the $400+Medicare I get from Social Security for my personal needs - and I still see a lot of opposition to this even though theoretically no one else should care other than me and those I wish to serve.

Even when I can make a case that this is for the public good (ie: more people with better health and better income = better local economies, household stability, community participation, and tax revenue), people still manage to find something to be a jerk about. So my experience has been that resistance to change isn't just about lack of knowledge or ability to change, but also the more difficult-to-address component of people or organizations who've become entrenched in their benefits from status quo being able to wield inordinate pressure to keep things their way.

I don't mean necessarily in the manner of prejudice where it's with purposeful intent to hold back an undesired class, but more like fiefdom where people just want to keep what they've got and don't concern themselves with any collateral damage that might result.

However, I don't mean to be negative toward your posting. It is indeed encouraging to see it recognized that current ADA are not adequately meeting the needs of all the populations it's intended to serve. This gives us more leverage in communicating and negotiating our needs and accommodations with others. I just lack faith that outside agencies are going to feel much motivation to do great things on our behalf. Like many topics of interest in society, I think more people get paid to study autism than to actually do anything about it.

@Mona - I'll reply to you privately after getting through (and recovering from) family holiday stuff.

I am also definitely interested in hearing more about your work as well.