REVISITING UNIVERSAL DESIGN: ETHICAL INCLUSION OF THE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED

Abstract

This dissertation advocates from ethical, architectural and psychological standpoints, for a normalization of the cognitively impaired (individuals with autism and dementia) outside of care institutions through a framework of guidelines for Universal Design. In order to reevaluate the current treatment of the cognitively impaired within everyday environments, literature from both the fields of architecture and psychology are cross-analyzed and contrasted with qualitative and quantitative studies obtained through site observation and surveys with caregivers and care receivers alike. Limitations have been faced due to the sensitivity of the topic, as well as the author’s own predisposition towards architecture. This paper has sought to unite ideas from architecture, ethics and psychology through continued cross-analysis to minimize this bias; however, it is unable to claim total impartiality. Similarly, while difficulties have been met in addressing the sensitive nature of the topic, this has been addressed with the help of the Singapore Alzheimer’s Disease Association. Universal Design mainly falls into the categories of: 1) literature regarding Universal Design that does not always consider the cognitively impaired, and 2) literature that addresses the cognitively impaired, but specific to care environments. Despite the availability of these resources, site observations and surveys conducted reveal that considerations may be absent within many internalized public environments in Singapore; leading to the exclusion of this user group. Therefore, this paper seeks to build upon ethical and psychological considerations in order to make the inclusion of the cognitively impaired commonplace in everyday environments.