It is Official: "The wave is cresting, and it's a tidal wave."

It is official. No less than pioneer Mary Jo Peterson writes on the coming-of-age of Universal Design in home design.

Here is is the predicted Silver Tsunami of aging Boomers in alliance with home builders and remodelers that tipped the scales. It was predictable. Universal Design is a consensual statement on socio-political aspirations. It is the Disability Rights movement - a phenomenon of the Boomer generation - that spawned Universal Design.

They say a new technology takes about 30 years to reach the mainstream. With Universal Design being discussed as we started the first Disabled Students Association at the University of Washington in 1975 that prediction is proving accurate.

Now watch for the ubiquity of Universal Design in homes to force its adoption by the hospitality industry.

Then listen for the loud crash as counter-historical industries such as sports (see "Exposing FIFA's Shenanigans in South Africa" and airlines (see "What the Hell is This?") fall from the weight of their reactionary practices of discrimination.

Read about signs of hope from Mary Jo:

By Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS   April 2010

Although it sometimes may seem that everything to be said on the topic of Universal Design must surely have been said, this topic is so hot right now that I feel compelled to offer an update on current news and directions. 

Recently, including at this year's International Builders' Show, there were a number of new and notable products and product design improvements being shown.

Builders and remodelers - yes, builders and remodelers - are helping to drive the message, as are critical social impact powers, including AARP, with Livable Community Awards and outreach programs (www.aarp.org, search universal design). The design community has been embracing the active aging our boomer population is experiencing, and as one speaker at the Builders' Show said, "The wave is cresting, and it's a tidal wave."

Read Mary Jo Peteresn's excellnt summary:

http://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/print/Kitchen-and-Bath-Design-News/Convenient-Cache--Universal-Design-Going-Forward-/2$5502