iPostThisWeek

Introduction Igbo society, rich in cultural heritage and deeply rooted in communal values, places a significant emphasis on family, lineage, and the interconnectedness of its members. The proverb "Onye aghala nwanne ya" (one should not abandon their sibling) encapsulates this core principle of mutual support and responsibility within the extended family system. However, understanding how individuals with disabilities, specifically Down syndrome, were traditionally perceived and integrated within this framework requires careful consideration, as direct historical accounts focusing on specific developmental conditions may be limited. The Backdrop A wealthy Igbo family, deeply committed to their Catholic faith, had only one son, who lived with Down Syndrome. While they loved and cared for him deeply, they also strongly desired the continuation of their family lineage, a significant cultural value. When their son turned 19, they arranged a marriage for him with a beautiful...

Overview I chose the phrases "my culture" and "culture by me" to illustrate how inclusion can transform through different agents. “My culture” is contextually understood here as referring to the cultural background, practices, traditions, and values an individual personally associate with. It’s about the culture you identify with, whether it’s shaped by nationality, ethnicity, region, religion, or personal upbringing. In Igbo culture for example, they have a term called “Ogbenye”, meaning “poverty.” But literary, it means “the community gives or provides.” Therefore, for the Igbos: "My culture emphasizes provision for the poor by all." In the same culture, there’s no clear line between the poor and those with disabilities. Often, those with disabilities are categorized as the poor because some of them ask for alms by the street corners, marketplaces, places of worships and townhalls. Contrary, the phrase “culture by me” has a different connotation...

Introduction In a world where diversity and inclusivity are increasingly recognized as essential values, the need for accessible and supportive environments has never been more pressing. The concept of “The Green Path to Accessibility" emerges as a powerful symbol of commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate in all aspects of life. The Green Path to Accessibility epitomizes an innovative approach that intertwines environmental sustainability with inclusivity. This concept suggests that much like a leaf, which is both a symbol of growth and a vital component of the ecosystem, accessibility should be an integral and organic part of our societal fabric. This paradigm seeks to create built environments and digital spaces that are not only accessible to all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, but are also designed with ecological mindfulness. It emphasizes the use of sustainable materials, energy-eff...

Overview Individual accommodation and inclusive design are important concepts related to accessibility which ensures equal opportunities for all individuals. In today’s diverse and inclusive environments, understanding and implementing individual accommodation and reasonable adjustment is crucial. These practices ensure that everyone, regardless of their unique needs or circumstances, has equal access to opportunities and resources. Individual accommodation refers to tailored support provided to individuals to help them overcome specific barriers. This can include modifications in the workplace, educational settings, or public services to meet the unique needs of a person with disabilities or other challenges. Reasonable adjustment involves making changes to policies, practices, or physical environments to prevent or reduce disadvantages experienced by individuals. These adjustments are considered “reasonable” if they do not impose undue hardship on the organization or ent...

Overview Writing about universal design implies tracing back to the origin of the concept. In the 1970s, architect Ron Mace came up with the idea of universal design. Taking from his lived experience, as a wheelchair user, he understood the difficulties faced by people with disabilities as they try to move around buildings, roads, and public transport systems to mention but a few. He came up with the term “universal design” to characterize the importance of creating products and services that are beautiful, usable, and enjoyable by everyone, regardless of ability, age, or status in life. To continue his work, in 1997, The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University expanded Mace’s vision of the importance of designing inclusive environments for everyone. Universal design aims to create inclusive and equal access to resources, technology, or spaces for all users. How inclusive is universal design? To answer this question, we must examine the overall effect of...

Overview Have you ever thought about any design strategy that lifts the lid? A well-thought-out design strategy can remove or eliminate accessibility barriers for everyone. This strategy can be described as a concurrence of fundamental notions of design, principles of design, the 10 commandments of design, and design elements. The question now becomes: how does a designer implement this strategy? To explore this, these contents will be examined: Fundamental Notions of Design Design Principles Nielsen’s 10 Commandments of Design Elements of Design Design is an interesting discipline that brings together imagination and reality. It imagines the interaction between an individual and the man-made environment as it interprets and considers factors, such as society, aesthetics, function, context, experience, and culture. Any design aims to create useful arrangements of elements that will benefit the user to achieve identified goals. Some fundamental notions of desi...