Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Universal Design and Co-housing

[Racheli Gai (racheli]

Hi Jill,
Does the definition of UD include toxicity issues?
We (at Sonora Cohousing, Tucson) looked really seriously into installing
non/low toxic cabinets (kitchen and bathrooms) in the individual units, as
well as in the CH, but had to give up on much of it, because of the high
cost it would have entailed. Our CH is one story - primarily to make it
accessible.  But parts of it are not really accessible to someone with
moderate to serious chemical sensitivities (the materials cabinets in some
of the spaces are made of; synthetic carpets in a couple of the rooms,
some of the stuff people bring to the laundry room, etc.) - I can tell you
 from my experience that educating people on these matters
(or on any matter which isn't "mainstream"?) is a slow and
sometimes painful process.  It's also my feeling that quite a few  of coho
people aren't nearly as "advanced" and open to new thinking  as you seem
to imagine.  Some have fairly entrenched attitudes.  On the other hand,
I'd say that a whole number of people (even some who poo pooed toxicity
issues and other environmental concerns to begin with), have eventually
embraced new information.  It's a mixed bag...

BTW - some of our units are one floor, and all units are visitable.

Thanks for bringing this up,
R.


>It is generally believed that access is terribly costly.  It is my 
>understanding that this is not true.

>Providing access **from the initial design stages ** is generally a tiny 
>fraction of the cost of the whole project.  Naturally if you add it 
>later, it can be terribly expensive.  It's a little like passive solar. 
> If you plan it in from the beginning, it's not too big a deal.  If you 
>decide you want it after you've already faced your house north, you've 
>got a problem.

>It is unfortunate that many designers who are not expert in universal 
>design are not familiar with the techniques used to provide access is a 
>cost effective manner.  I would advise any community that wants to 
>provide access to be sure that an expert in universal design is part of 
>the design team from the very beginning.

>I have invited a couple of my universal designer friends to jump into 
>this discussion.  I don't know whether they will, but If the invitation 
>offends anyone, I'd appreciate it if you'd yell at me and not them.

>Thanks!
>Jill
>coho wannabe


-----------------------------------------------------------
racheli [at] sonoracohousing.com (Racheli Gai)
-----------------------------------------------------------


_______________________________________________
Cohousing-L mailing list
Cohousing-L [at] cohousing.org  Unsubscribe  and other info:
http://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-L