ABSTRACT
At the outset of this workshop, non-disabled participants will be asked to predict the most formidable barriers that they would have to overcome in their homes and neighbourhoods if they were to acquire an unexpected impairment. Living in an “untamed” natural environment might allow its users very little scope for modifying its demands and challenges. At present, people with impairments have no systematic ways of alerting design-developers to the barriers that they face. The Sheffield Housing Department had become aware that barriers in their homes restricted their users and their markets while considerably increasing their support and adaptation costs. Various barriers made it difficult for people with impairments to use their local shops, pavements, facilities, transport, parking and gardens. Many common problems were reported in domestic utilities and systems. These affected all the participants even when their function was disrupted at different points by different barriers. Every participant reported difficulties in using their domestic utilities and systems.
