Here are some individuals who are widely recognized for their contributions to universal design:
Ron Mace: Considered by many to be the father of universal design, Ron Mace was an American architect and designer who advocated for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. He founded the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University.
Edward Steinfeld: A professor of architecture at the University at Buffalo, Edward Steinfeld has been a leader in the field of universal design for over 40 years. He has written extensively on the subject and has worked on numerous projects that incorporate universal design principles.
Susan Goltsman: The founder and president of the Institute for Human Centred Design, Susan Goltsman has been a champion of accessibility and universal design for over three decades. She has worked on projects in the U.S. and abroad, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions to the field.
Shigeru Ban: A Japanese architect known for his innovative use of materials and his focus on sustainability, Shigeru Ban has also been recognized for his contributions to universal design. His designs often incorporate features that make them accessible to people with disabilities.
Michael Graves: An American architect and designer who became paralyzed from the chest down, Michael Graves became a strong advocate for accessibility and universal design. He designed numerous products and buildings that incorporate universal design principles.
Patricia Moore: A designer and gerontologist, Patricia Moore is known for her groundbreaking work in the field of universal design. In the 1970s, she disguised herself as an elderly woman and travelled across the U.S. to experience firsthand the challenges faced by older adults.
Ove Arup: A Danish engineer who founded the engineering consultancy Arup, Ove Arup was a pioneer in the field of structural engineering. He was also a strong advocate for accessibility and universal design, and his firm continues to incorporate these principles into its projects.
Rama Gheerawo: An Indian-born designer and researcher, Rama Gheerawo is the director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art in London. He has worked on numerous projects that incorporate universal design principles, with a particular focus on inclusive design for older adults.
Molly Story: A Canadian architect and accessibility consultant, Molly Story has worked on numerous projects that incorporate universal design principles. She is the founder of the Universal Design Network, an online resource for designers and architects.
Lorraine Justice: A designer, author, and educator, Lorraine Justice has written extensively on the subject of universal design. She is the former dean of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she established the Vignelli Center for Design Studies.
