Beyond Accessibility

October 23, 2019

Beyond Accessibility: The conversation with no easy or fixed answers
Reviewing Accessibility Issues on the College of Charleston Campus - pdf 
Presenter:  James Ward, Senior Instructor, Department of Art and Architectural History, Landscape Architect 

Universal design is the standard by which we judge the efficacy of design today. Its value in providing a more solid basis for mutual care as well as independence for everyone in the community is self-evident. Certainly, most people will find this approach useful for at least a portion of their lives as we all face at least temporary disabilities. A major issue, however, with any kind of design, especially newer concepts is maintaining it over time. In the parlance of preservation professionals, Preservation is maintenance”. 

In this session, I will discuss the elements of universal design and how we are supposed to be meeting the challenges. I will then provide maps for the main part of the campus and ask people to record where they perceive there to be problems in actually using what is in place and how they might envision a solution. I will certainly be able to spark the discussion with examples of my own experience here if necessary, but the value in this session is in getting everyone to notice how obstacles for utilization might impede getting around and trying to crowdsource possible solutions. Our goal is to provide a model for involving people in the care of their public space and to give constructive feedback to those who are charged with the responsibility as well as helping one another build a better community.

Presenter:
Mr. James Ward (Department of Art and Architectural History)

James Ward has been teaching full time in preservation at the College of Charleston since 2002 and is currently a Senior Instructor in Historic Preservation and Community Planning. His background is as a conservationist, landscape architect, gardener, craftsman, and caregiver - for his wife who was diagnosed with MS in 1984. As pertains to the college, he was involved in the development of the campus in the 1970s and 1980s as a consultant at the same time his wife worked in student activities and teaching here. 

Highlights of his career include working as the landscape architect for the government of Bermuda, winning planning and design awards for work here on the Charleston area including the Visitors Center, Aquarium, hotel, and multi-family development. He continues to be involved in all aspects of professional work and teaching here at the College. 

His orientation is a humanist turned professional. He works with the details of a universal design but is also concerned with how design affects our ability to come together as a community and forge new understandings and meanings. A cultural landscape such as the City of Charleston brings its own special challenges. We strive to preserve our built heritage as we continue to make it serviceable to the demands of new times and to create a truly livable, democratic society for everyone. 

On a personal note, he has been involved in the long-term issues surrounding his wife and feels that as a society we must radically alter how we deal with these issues. Keeping these people independent is important for that individual, for the caregivers, and for the larger society, notwithstanding the sentimental, or even the cost, issues. It definitely goes beyond the commonly assumed fall back position of "keeping them at home". The physical design of spaces and social support network facilitated by that design can make all the difference to the overall health of those individuals and the larger society.

The Video

The video of this lecture is "neurodiveristy 4 captions.mov" in the link below: 

  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1varhJDkdqE-XNy79MW-iejvCmf8XgHkK


Photos from Beyond Accessibility, October 23, 2019

Accessibility Talk October 23

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session

October 23rd Session