Released September 10, 2009
LONDON, Ohio -- Homeowners who have adopted Universal Design features in their living spaces realize that improvements can always be made to make their environment even more user-friendly. Organizers of the Universal Design exhibit at the Farm Science Review are no exception, and this year, regular visitors to the space can investigate a laundry area added to the permanent exhibit.
"This Universal Design project is all about helping people recognize the variety of possibilities to find solutions that work best for their family and friends," said Pat Holmes, family and consumer sciences educator for OSU Extension and coordinator of the project. "As people make choices about their home, work or school environment, the concepts of Universal Design offer alternative solutions for ease of living."
Universal Design is a holistic approach to the design of products and environments that are functional, attractive and convenient, and support independence for people of all ages and abilities. Farm Science Review visitors can see these concepts at work in the kitchen and bath exhibit located in the McCormick Building on the Review's Friday Avenue. The permanent exhibit is a result of a partnership between OSU Extension, faculty members in Ohio State's College of Education and Human Ecology and College of Allied Health, Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in central Ohio, and Dave Fox Remodeling.
Consumers can learn more about Universal Design online at http://ehe.osu.edu/ud/. The site also contains a 20-minute video that shows the Universal Design features at the Farm Science Review site. The video provides an introduction to Universal Design elements, discusses how Universal Design features are helpful and appropriate for all members of the family, and highlights examples of Universal Design features in a kitchen and bathroom. The video is also available on DVD and can be ordered for $5 plus shipping and handling through OSU Extension's online store at http://estore.osu-extension.org/.
Farm Science Review will be held Sept. 22-24 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. Full show agenda and other information is available at http://fsr.osu.edu.
For more information, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu. Farm Science Review is also on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/OhioStateFSR), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FarmScienceReview), and Ning (http://fsrosu.ning.com).
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http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=5378
Source: Pat Holmes, 937-456-8176, holmes.86@osu.edu
Writer: Martha Filipic, 614-292-9833, filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu
