Has a Disability Locked You Out of Your Home? Universal Design is the Key
Release Date:
Jun 24 2008 Toronto, June 24, 2008 – A universal design expert, Rosemarie Rossetti will share her experience and expertise on space planning and home accessibility for people with disabilities, especially wheelchair users, at the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) Ontario’s 2008 Annual General Meeting, on June 25, 2008 at Toronto Rehab, Lyndhurst Centre (520 Sutherland Drive) – 2 p.m.
More and more Canadians with mobility issues find themselves locked out from their own homes because of physical barriers. Of the estimated 15.5% of Canada’s population that has a disability, there are approximately 600,000 Ontarians with a permanent mobility issue. A 2000/2001 Statistics Canada survey shows that more than 695,000 Canadians who were living in private households needed a wheelchair or other walking device to get around. This number is likely on the rise due to Canada’s aging population.
“If I had known the renovation techniques necessary to improve the accessibility of my own home when I first got out of rehab, I think everything would have been so much easier for me.” said Kevin Rogers, Information Coordinator, CPA Ontario.
CPA Ontario invited Rosemarie Rossetti to talk about how accessible features can be incorporated into homes and workplaces. As a person who sustained a spinal cord injury, Ms Rossetti has brought her talent, passion and expert knowledge into the field of universal design. She is internationally known for her creation of the Universal Design Living Laboratory (www.UDLL.com) – a national demonstration home and garden in Ohio that will serve as a teaching model for architects, designers, commercial builders and home buyers, who are interested in designing, building or enjoying an accessible, safe and comfortable environment. She is also a well-received professor at the Ohio State University, as well as the author of numerous books and other publications.
CPA Ontario, as an expert in the area of spinal cord injury, provides specific and individualized services during every step of recovery through its core programs and services. It has 14 regional/site offices across Ontario to serve those in need in local communities. For more information about CPA Ontario or Rosemarie Rossetti, please visit www.cpaont.org.
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Contact: Gillian Lynne-Davies
Phone number: (416) 422-5644 ext. 212 or 1-877-422-1112 (Toll Free)
Fax number: (416) 422-5943
Email address: Gillian.Lynne-Davies@cpaont.org
Website: www.cpaont.org
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Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 8:00am
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 12:00pm
Fast Fact
Quadriplegia is paralysis of all four limbs (from the neck down) resulting from injury to the neck. Fractures or compression of the vertebrae, which cause permanent damage to the spinal cord may lead to loss of sensation, movement, pain management, bladder and bowel control, as well as affecting sexual function.
