Emerging Issues Forum - The 1st quarter NCHBA board meeting on February 22nd (2005) allowed members the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the home building industry at the Emerging Issues Forums. Using the NCHBA 2005 theme of “building on education” as a platform, the forums gave members an insight on the new (or new-to-North Carolina) trends and products.  The first Emerging Issues Forum focused on universal design and featured Dick Duncan … Duncan will explain the basics of universal design - as it is not what you may think! The forum will also inform members how to incorporate universal design features into existing house plans.

Home Builders

Going Beyond the Code: Meeting the Changing Needs of 21st Century Customers (May 2004) -- This one-day institute offered a new look at how to design for a changing client and customer base. There is a dramatic increase in the number of people with disabilities and those over fifty-five who live into older age. Architects and designers in all disciplines are increasingly called upon to develop environments that are more supportive, safer and will foster independence. The workshop introduced the fundamentals of universal design and raise awareness of how to create aesthetic, efficient, and marketable spaces and buildings that still comply with accessibility codes. Speakers were the Center’s stuff and Architect, Sylvester Damianos, FAIA.

NC Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, Housing Forum (2003) -- Proposed Building Code Changes

Leslie Young, representative for the NC Coalition for Accessible Dwellings, advocated against proposed American Institute of Architects (AIA) building code changes currently pending in a bill before the NC General Assembly. These four changes are:

1. Unamended International Building Code,
2. Modified Code Council and Modified Interpretive Process
3. Design and Construction Agency Streamlining
4. Professional Service Tax

These have a significant negative impact for people with disabilities and older adults such as
· loss of future accessible housing
· prohibition of future state code amendments to improve accessibility
· compliance confusion that will slow down the design and inspection process

Multi-family Housing

Universal Design – Multifamily Housing

Universal Design Seminars

The Center for Universal Design conducted many seminars around the state on accessible and universal multifamily housing. They were organized to help explain the requirements of the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which have been incorporated into the North Carolina State Building Code.  These programs were given to architects, civil engineers, rehabilitation engineers, building inspectors, etc.

Programs with titles like “Differences in Type ‘A’ and ‘B’ Dwelling Units”  or “Accessible and Universal Multifamily Housing Seminar” were delivered at locations including:

• Hickory
• Greenville
• Raleigh

North Carolina Assistive Technology Expo

For many years, the Center for Universal Design has participated in these Expos.  Presentations have been given on:

• Home Modifications and Funding
• Universal Kitchen Design
• Home Automation for People Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Universal Bathroom Design

Various Other Topics

In addition to the presentations highlighted above, the Center for Universal Design has given presentations to many diverse North Carolina organizations.  Several of these programs, indicated with (*) were supported by the NC State Funds Allocation.