Inclusive Designers Podcast

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited By: Cedric Wilson Guest: G Cody QJ Goldberg- Chief Play Officer, Harper’s Playground Photo Credits: Harper’s Playground Designing for: Inclusive Playgrounds… Keeping the Fun in Function (Season 6, Episode 3) How do you create playgrounds that are both fun and functional? Join Inclusive Designers Podcast as G Cody QJ Goldberg- Chief Play Officer of Harper’s Playground- spills the dirt on how to design spaces where every body can play. Guest: G Cody QJ Goldberg- is the Chief Play Officer of Harper’s Playground, a non-profit committed to creating opportunities that […]

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Jessica Hunt Photo Credit: Freepik.com Designing for Bespoke Bodies: IDP Goes to The Bionic Race (Season 6, Episode 1b) Come along with us to the Bionic Race! This event brings together not only adaptive athletes, but everyone who loves to the joy of running! We briefly touched upon the race within this discussion of ‘Designing for Bespoke Bodies: Bionic Prosthetics & Beyond’ and decided it deserved a separate ‘more to the story’ episode of its own! Janet and Carolyn attended the race in Cambridge MA where they spoke […]

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Jessica Hunt Guests: Lisa Scully; Nathalie Bonafe; Erika Eitland Stock Image: Designed by Freepik Design + Menopause (Season 5, Episode 5a) Menopause is no longer a taboo topic! Join ‘Inclusive Designers Podcast’ in a special episode on ‘Design + Menopause’ that breaks the silence on what menopause is, how it impacts women in the workplace, and what designers can do to create supportive environments! Our expert panel includes: Menopause Educator Lisa Scully, Women’s Health Advocate Dr. Nathalie Bonafe, and Dr. Erika Eitland from Perkins&Will. Together, we discuss the stages of menopause and offer actionable design solutions. Through personal stories and professional insights, our guests provide valuable perspectives on fostering a workplace that supports women through every stage of menopause. Tune in for a conversation that’s both informative and empowering. Panel: Lisa Scully– is an official Brand Licensed partner with the award-winning ‘Menopause Experts Group’ (MEG). She provides organizations and individuals with up-to-date scientifically based and medically backed information. She is also the Civic Mission Project Manager at Wrexham University, Quote: “My mission is to demystify menopause, providing support, guidance, and evidence-based information to individuals experiencing this phase of life.” Nathalie Bonefe, PhD – is a molecular biologist with 25 years of biomedical research experience, who now advocates for women’s health from midlife on. In her private practice, she educates and coaches women through peri-menopause, menopause, and beyond. Quote: “Menopause is a transition, not a disease, and post-menopause lasts for the rest of a woman’s life!” Erika Eitland, ScD, MPH – is a Public Health Scientist and the Co-Director of the Human Experience Lab at Perkins&Will. She received a doctorate in Environmental Healthfrom the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and a Master of Public Health in Climate and Health from Columbia University. Quote: “… the more we talk about it, we de-stigmatize it. The more we talk about it, we acknowledge that this is a lived experience that every single woman goes through for a huge part of their life.” Note: Menopause Cafes– can be a great resource for those suffering with symptoms! We briefly touched upon their existence in this discussion and felt it was important enough to create a separate episode where we share more on what they can do, and how to find one if you or someone you know needs help or support going through these life stages. – Definitions: – Menopause Stages: Perimenopause; Menopause; Postmenopause – Symptoms of Menopause may include: Depression; Anxiety; Panic Attacks; Brain fog; Hot Flashes; Night Sweats; Anger/Mood Swings – References: Menopause Cafe Connecticut

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Jessica Hunt Guests: Stephen Parker & Robyn Linstrom Photo Credit: Stantec Designing for: Crisis Centers (Season 5, Episode 4) Inclusive Designers Podcast: Currently, there’s a significant rise in people with mental health issues. But the current system often sends a person in crisis to an already overloaded emergency department. Creating separate Crisis Stabilization Centers can play a key role in addressing the need for better mental health care treatment. But just what do you need to know to design an effective facility that both reduces the stigma, and takes evidence-based research into consideration? Guests Stephen Parker & Robyn Linstrom share their very knowledgeable views on the specific challenges designers may face. Spoiler alert, the best solutions use Trauma-informed Design principles! Guests: Stephen Parker (AIA NOMA NCARB LEED AP) – is a dedicated Behavioral and Mental Health Planner. Stephen is a proponent of “architect as advocate” for colleague, client, and community alike. Advocating by design for humanity at its most vulnerable, elevating communities in crisis, and serving those that suffer in silence. His projects range from community-scale recovery centers to expansive mental health campuses— using dignity-driven design research for communities in crisis— with work ranging from China, India, Kenya and across the US & Canada. Quotes: “Trauma-informed Design principles really are a key factor in informing those very community specific needs to avoid coercion and help individuals in crisis in a humane and safe way” “We strive really hard to design for dignity. We balance and harmonize the evidentiary with the empathetic, and really championing that lived experience, talking to those individuals in crisis, the family members that have endured it with them, and not make assumptions” “Every design decision will help or hinder an individual in crisis. And we have a responsibility as designers to do better” – Contact: Stephen Parker, Stantec Robyn Linstrom (AIA, EDAC, LEED AP) – is a healthcare architect and senior associate at Stantec, with a passion for behavioral health and designing for healing environments. She believes that the built environment can be a partner in supporting healing. According to her bio, Robyn is focused on changing design from the institutional to a more therapeutic environment. This challenge drives the work she does. Her goal as a behavioral health specialist is to de-stigmatize psychiatric facilities— with design that provides an environment of hope, dignity, and support. Quotes: “It’s about creating this environment that allows people in crisis to come in and accept treatment to get out of that crisis that they’re in. “I want to help reduce stigma. I want to be part of that solution that we could all find ourselves in a situation of needing help at any time” “It’s really nice to see the gaps being bridged in peer support and all of the different things that we’ve been working on as advocacy is making it into the design world” “My biggest hope working on these types of facilities is to make this a conversation. Let’s design places that are healing and support people” – Contact: Ro...

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Jessica Hunt Guest: Dhaval Patel, Lotus Labs Photo Credit: Lotus Labs Inclusive Designers Podcast: Accessibility is often an afterthought in product design. Even tech with the potential to be game-changing for folks with disabilities, often isn’t designed with them in mind. Is a hybrid of Inclusive, Universal and Human-centered Design the key to solving this problem? IDP explores how to improve the design process with Dhaval Patel of Lotus Labs. We’ll hear about their innovative ‘Lotus Ring’ that aims to prove this theory and serve as an example that the process really can work! Guest: Dhaval Patel- is the founder and CEO of Lotus, a company whose mission is to build technology that is useful to everyone, by optimizing for disability first. To that end, Lotus has built a wearable Ring that controls objects at home by pointing. Formerly, Dhaval was a division leader at Apple, working in their iPhone, Apple Watch & AirPod divisions. He has 37 patents in sensing & haptics. His work at Apple inspired him to build technology that helps everyone, but could be especially life changing for disabled persons, seniors, and veterans. “Legacy. What is Legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” – Quote from ‘Hamilton: An American Musical’ – Contact: Dhaval Patel (Linked In) – References: Lotus Labs Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Activities of daily living are activities related to personal care. They include bathing or showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, walking, using the toilet, and eating. Universal vs Inclusive Design: Unlike inclusive design, which highlights individual differences, universal design focuses on the similarities all people share. Universal design is the practice of designing usable products that don’t require adaptations. User Experience (UX) Design: User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. UX design involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability and function. IDP Discusses ‘Design Crimes’ with Ed Warner, Motionspot MotionSpot – Accessible Hotel Design Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester, UK Transcript: Designing for: Technology & Innovation with Lotus Labs, (Season 5, Episode 2) Guest: Dhaval Patel, Lotus Labs (Music / Open) Janet: In this series we will be discussing specific examples of design techniques that make a positive difference for people living with certain human conditions. Carolyn: The more a designer understands the client and or the community the more effective and respectful the design will be. (Music / Intro) Janet: Welcome to Inclusive Designers Podcast...

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Andrew Parrella Guest: Ed Warner, Motionspot Photo Credit: Motionspot Inclusive Designers Podcast: Ed Warner of Motionspot joins IDP to explore the need for inclusive design that is both functional and beautiful… not only in the home, but in hotels, the workplace and even for the late Queen Elizabeth’s palace! Ed shares some great examples of how Motionspot is raising the bar beyond the minimum required standards to design environments for people with a range of physical, cognitive, sensory needs— including neurodiversity. We also discuss the ‘Design Crimes’ being made and how to solve them! Guest: Ed Warner- is co-founder of Motionspot, a global firm based in the UK that focuses on creating accessible spaces in the home, the workplace, and hotels. They also started the company ‘Fine and Able’ to take what they learned at Motionspot and use it to provide the best products for a wide range of conditions and needs. “I’m a big believer that if you get the environment right for people, you can really positively impact cognitive and physical health…” Ed Warner- contact: ed@motionspot.co.uk – References: Motionspot Fine & Able The Benefits to Business of Embracing Disability- London Sunday Times Access All Areas- including the Queens Balmoral Palace- London Sunday Times Motionspot Brings Function & Form to Accessible Design-Metropolis Magazine Designing Inclusive Workplaces- White paper Designing Stylish Accessible Toilet Facilities- White paper “Wash and Dry” Bidet Toilets Design for the Mind- Inclusive spaces for Neurodivergent Groups Designing Inclusive All Gender Toilets Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester UK- Accessible facilities Barclays- Inclusive Office Design Missy’s House, Northamptonshire- Accessible Rental Home Matteo Zallio- IDP Episode “Tools for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility” Pinar Guvenc, Sour- IDP Episode “The Importance of Co-Design!” Transcript: Creating Functional Spaces & Solving Design Crimes! Guest: Ed Warner, Motionspot (Music / Open) J...

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Andrew Parrella Guest: Alex Tan, Design Innovation Director, Philips Photo Credit: Philips How did design innovations for the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) lead to groundbreaking changes for behavior health rooms in hospital Emergency Departments? The answer lies in new adaptive environments, and they are already making a difference to parents, staff and patients in these hospital areas. IDP talks to Alex Tan, Design Innovation Director at Philips about the process that led to creating these immersive spaces, and spoiler alert… co-design and collaboration were a part of their success. Guest: Alex Tan- is the Design Innovation Director at Philips. According to his own bio, he is ‘a visionary thinker and leader with a diverse background that spans across many industries and design disciplines. His leadership style is very hands-on; he leads through example and inspiration. Alex and his multi-disciplinary design team collaborate with research scientists to invent and set the design vision and direction for the future of Healthcare, through a co-creation design process and prototyping’ “One of the key themes I look at is the idea of the adaptive environment – the idea that designs and environment can change and be more responsive to the different needs of different people.” – Alex Tan 2022 – References: • Alex Tan Bio/ Linkedin • Next Generation Neonatal Intensive Care Units • youtube video: LOTUS- Next Generation NICU • Re-imagining the Behavior Health Experience • Dutch Design Week- Virtual Talks- 2022 • Shaping Experiences Through Human-Centered Design • Lumi Plush Nightlight/Little Lantern Studios Transcript: Adaptive Environments for Healthcare & Beyond! Guest: Alex Tan, Design Innovation Director, Philips (Music / Open) Janet: In this series we will be discussing specific examples of design techniques that make a positive difference for people living with certain human conditions. Carolyn: The more a designer understands the client and or the community the more effective and respectful the design will be. (Music / Intro) Janet: Welcome to Inclusive Designers Podcast, I am your host, Janet Roche… Carolyn: and I am your moderator, Carolyn Robbins… Janet: Carolyn, we have such a wonderful show today! But first, we are thrilled to announce that we are still in the top 20 on Feedspots’ list of “Best Design Podcasts on the Internet”— whoo!— and a big thank you to you, our listeners! Carolyn: yes, and it doesn’t surprise me at all, but I might be a little bit biased… and I think this episode should definitely keep us on that list. And with that news aside, we welcome you to our first podcast of 2023. Janet: Yes, moving right along, our guest today is Alex Tan, who is indeed creating a difference within the built environment, and using a collaborative and evidence-...

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Andrew Parrella Guest: Judy Heumann Judy Heumann is here! Judy Heumann is here! Inclusive Designers Podcast is very excited to share our inspiring interview with THE Judy Heumann… celebrated civil rights activist, advocate, and rolling warrior. She has been called “the mother of the disability rights movement” and “an activist who doesn’t take crap, never did.” Judy is best known for leading the charge of disabled activists that sparked the creation of Section 504 and the ADA. IDP talks to Judy about her lifelong struggle to overcome discrimination, and what designers need to know to make changes that benefit both disabled and non-disabled people. And yes, Janet even asks her (way in advance) to meet in person in 2023 to celebrate as the ‘Rehabilitation Act of 1973’ turns 50! Guest: Judy Heumann- is a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of legislation, such as Section 504, the Individuals with Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Her memoir,“Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,” was published in 2020. She is also featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. Judy produces a podcast called The Heumann Perspective, which features a variety of members from the disability community. – References: • Website: www.judithheumann.com • Podcast: The Heumann Perspective Podcast • Books: ‘Being Huemann‘; ‘Rolling Warrior‘ • TED Talk- ‘Our fight for disability rights– and why we’re not done yet’ • Documentary Film: Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution • Washington Post article: She’s considered the mother of disability rights — and she’s a ‘badass’ • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 / Section 504 • The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol • ADA.gov • Universal Design • Yannick Benjamin/Contento NYC; – IDP Episode: Serving Up Inclusive Design • BROOKLYN! Transcript: Disability Rights and Design – Insights from...

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Co-Hosted By: Janet Roche & Dr. J. Davis Harte Edited by: Andrew Parrella Guest: Meredith Banasiak Photo Credit: Caleb Tkach AIAP This just in… new changes are coming for those who create spaces for Behavioral Health. Combining the scientific knowledge from Neuroscience and the research evidence from Trauma-Informed Design is opening up new ways to optimize health, performance and access. IDP is excited to share this 3-part series with Meredith Banasiak that explores the transformational shift in design towards an evidence-based, person-centered culture. She shares her insights for designing for behavioral health projects, from family clinics to eating disorder facilities. Part 1- Meredith’s story; sensory issues; and the concept of a ‘Shared Experience’ • Part 2- The stigma of mental health; Solutions using Trauma-Informed Design for Behavioral Health Facilities. Part 3- Social Determinants of Health; improving access to healthcare; designing for eating disorders facilities; and a new way to look at Post Occupancy Evaluations (POE) Guest: Meredith Banasiak, EDAC, Dir. of Research, Boulder Associates; LinkedIn; Twitter – References: • Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, ANFA • American Institute of Architects, AIA • Basic Science of Light / Color • Boulder Associates • Boulder Community Health- Della Cava • Boulder Community Health- Tunable Lighting • BeWell • Biophilia • “Bridging the Gap” (Healthcare Design Magazine article) • Clinica Family Health • Eating Recovery Center • Colin Ellard – Cognitive Neuroscientist • Evidence Based Design, EBD • Flexsim Simulations • GoInvo-Social Determinants model • HIPAA: Health Insurance Portablitiy and Accountability Act • Lifting the Gaze – How to focus to Change Your Brain • Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Co-Hosted By: Janet Roche & Dr. J. Davis Harte Edited by: Andrew Parrella Guest: Meredith Banasiak Photo Credit: Caleb Tkach AIAP This just in… new changes are coming for those who create spaces for Behavioral Health. Combining the scientific knowledge from Neuroscience and the research evidence from Trauma-Informed Design is opening up new ways to optimize health, performance and access. IDP is excited to share this 3-part series with Meredith Banasiak that explores the transformational shift in design towards an evidence-based, person-centered culture. She shares her insights for designing for behavioral health projects, from family clinics to eating disorder facilities. Part 1- Meredith’s story; sensory issues; and the concept of a ‘Shared Experience’ Part 2– The stigma of mental health; Solutions using Trauma-Informed Design for Behavioral Health Facilities. Part 3- Social Determinants of Health; improving access to healthcare; designing for eating disorders facilities; and a new way to look at Post Occupancy Evaluations (POE) Guest: Meredith Banasiak, EDAC, Dir. of Research, Boulder Associates; LinkedIn; Twitter – References: • Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, ANFA • American Institute of Architects, AIA • Basic Science of Light / Color • Boulder Associates • Boulder Community Health- Della Cava • Boulder Community Health- Tunable Lighting • BeWell • Biophilia • “Bridging the Gap” (Healthcare Design Magazine article) • Clinica Family Health • Eating Recovery Center • Colin Ellard – Cognitive Neuroscientist • Evidence Based Design, EBD • Flexsim Simulations • GoInvo-Social Determinants model • HIPAA: Health Insurance Portablitiy and Accountability Act • Lifting the Gaze – How to focus to Change Your Brain • Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Big Lots Behavior...

Designing For: Beauty and the Brain By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Co-Hosted By: Janet Roche & Dr. J. Davis Harte Edited by: Andrew Parrella Guest: Don Ruggles The ‘Neuroscience of Architecture’ can sound like a daunting subject to tackle, much less try to understand. Inclusive Designers Podcast interviews the forward-thinking architect Don Ruggles who explains this idea in an easy-to-understand way that will make you re-think everything you thought you knew about designing buildings. The question of ‘what is beauty anyway?’ inspired him to write his book ‘Beauty, Neuroscience & Architecture’ which then blossomed into a new Documentary, ‘Built Beautiful: A Love Story of Neuroscience and Architecture’. Whether you are a professional architect, designer, or a student studying to become one, this will challenge your perception of beauty (and wellness) in relation to architecture. And even if you are not in the profession, IDP promises that you will come away from this interview with a new insight into how we see our towns, neighborhoods and homes. You’ll learn just what beauty is and why it can make us feel good when we see it. Guests: J. Davis Harte, PhD is an applied and theoretical designer, advisor and educator. Her career focus is on trauma-sensitive design in child-centered settings, merging the knowledge of trauma-informed practices with the latest on evidence-based design. The people who benefit from the spaces she informs are often misunderstood and marginalized. J. Davis Harte, PhD Don Ruggles, AIA, NCARB, ICAA, ANFA, is president of Ruggles Mabe Studio, a boutique architecture and interior design firm based in Colorado. The firm is dedicated to the idea that beauty can improve the lives of its clients. The film is predicated on his first book, “Beauty, Neuroscience & Architecture: Timeless Patterns & Their Impact on Our Well-Being,” which investigates how timeless forms and patterns in architecture and design affect our health and well-being. ~ Don Ruggles, AIA, Ruggles Mabe, Denver CO, @druggles “Beauty is free. Why wouldn’t we use it?” ~ Piero Ferrucci (in Beauty and the Soul) – Documentary: “Built Beautiful, An Architecture & Neuroscience Love Story With Narration by Martha Stewart” suggests a new, urgent effort is needed to refocus the direction of design to include the quality of beauty as a fundamental, overarching theme in t...

“Trauma-Informed Design: Transforming Correctional Design for Justice” What is the role of Trauma-Informed Design in reforming correctional facilities? With 7.3-million Americans in some level of corrections (prisons, jails, probation or parole), it is clear we are setting up those who are incarcerated to fail. The glaring truth can be seen in recidivism rates of 76.6 percent after 5 years! IDP explores the injustice of racial inequity within correctional design. IDP’s own Janet Roche leads an expert panel of Christine Cowart (Cowart Trauma Informed Partnership); Jana Belack (PlaceTailor); and Dana McKinney (Gehry Partners) to examine the history and future of corrections design, and and how Trauma-informed Design can be used to reform it. In this webinar, Inclusive Designers Podcast and the Boston Architectural College (BAC) joined forces to discuss the role of designers in providing safe and sustainable facilities for corrections, with a focus on offering design solutions to social inequities in this environment. Moderators: Janet Roche- BAC Alumni Council, BAC Adjunct Instructor & Design for Human Health Graduate; Owner of Janet Roche Designs, LLC, & Host of Inclusive Designers Podcast. Contact: janet@inclusivedesigners.com; www.inclusivedesigners.com; plansbyjanet.com Christine Cowart– Senior Policy Analyst; Trauma-Informed Consultant, Owner of Cowart Trauma-Informed Partnership. Contact: christine@cotipusa.com; www.cotipusa.com Panelists: Jana Belack, Leed AP BD+C– BAC Adjunct Instructor, Lead Designer PlaceTailor. Contact: janabelack@gmail.com Dana Mckinney, AIA- Architect and Urban Planner, Gehry Patners, LLP, Co-founder: Black in Design Conference; Map the Gap; African American Desin Nexus. Contact: dana.e.mckinney@gmail.com, www.danamckinney.com Agenda: “Intro: Trauma Informed Design/Transforming Correctional Design” – Janet Roche “Implications of Understanding Trauma on Correctional Design”– Christine Cowart “Evolution of Correctional Design: Pros & Cons for Future Designs” – Jana Belack “The Future of Corrections with Urban Design in Mind” – Dana McKinney “Questions & Answers on Implementing Design for Justice Reform”– Entire Panel Transcript: “Janet: Hi, and welcome to ‘Transforming Correctional Design for Justice Reform’. I’m going to be one of your hosts, Janet Roche. I am part of the class of 2016, and I’ll get into my bio at some point. I’m coming to you right now from the lovely state of Vermont. I’m honored to be here for the first or what the BAC hopes to be regular inspired talks over the years. And the founding week of the BAC we’re going to showcase all different alumni and students and teachers and special guests about the inspiring work that they’re doing. And that also includes yours truly right now. And we have Jana Belack, who is also an alumni for this particular panel. So I also want to thank the leadership of President Mahesh Dass for, in the office, for coming up with this grand celebration this week. And we’ll talk a little bit about science and what that means in terms of corrections and corrections design, and justice reform. But we’re going to add a little piece, which is going to be about trauma and what does trauma mean and how does that also affect humans within the built enviro...