Inclusive Designers Podcast

By: Janet Roche & Carolyn Robbins Hosted By: Janet Roche Edited by: Jessica Hunt Panel Guests: Dana Ross Rogers & Will Borden- The Bionic Project Molly Jarman- The Stepping Strong Center Maria Villafranca- CoDesign Collaborative Photo Credit: Freepik.com Designing for Bespoke Bodies: Bionic Prosthetics & Beyond (Season 6, Episode 1) Traumatic injury is one of the most under-recognized— yet pervasive— medical challenges in the nation. But now, there are exciting new breakthroughs in Bionic Technology for bespoke bodies, and more accessible environments being designed for everyone. In this episode of Inclusive Designers Podcast, our panel of experts explores the latest […]

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: Lisa Scully; Nathalie Bonafe Stock Image: Designed by Freepik Menopause Cafes (Season 5, Episode 5b) Do you think it’s taboo to talk about Menopause? Guess again! In our Inclusive Designers Podcast “Design + Menopause” episode, our experts introduced us to a unique and vital concept: Menopause Cafes. These gatherings provide safe, brave spaces for individuals to share their experiences with menopause, free from judgment and stigma. Menopause Educator Lisa Scully and Women’s Health Advocate Dr. Nathalie Bonafe know first-hand the global reach and impact of these cafes since they facilitate them both in person and online. They share their insight of how these can empower women to connect, learn, and find community during these significant life stages. IDP is excited to share that there are now spaces like Menopause Cafes that focus on breaking the silence and taboos around menopause, and provide a way to foster open dialogue for women in need of support. Interested in learning more about how design can influence and support the menopause journey? Check out our other episode on Design + Menopause. 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!” – 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 Menopause Experts Group Perkins&Will Trauma Informed Design Society Understanding Menopause Booklet Understanding Symptoms Poster Menopau...

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 Guests: Meg O’Connell & Steve Wright Photo Credit: Steve Wright The Ins and Outs of Urban Design   (Season 5, Episode 3) Inclusive Designers Podcast: What are the best practices for Urban Design? Whether it’s getting around in our cities and streets, or within the buildings where we work, IDP explores the barriers that exist every day in terms of accessibility! Guests Meg O’Connell and Steve Wright share their views on urban design for disabilities in the workplace and beyond. Plus how to create spaces that work for everybody- without special considerations or accommodations- because they’re already built into the environment. And pet peeves? Yes, they share them too! Guests: Meg O’Connell – is the founder and CEO of ‘Global Disability Inclusion’. She is an award-winning disability inclusion expert who provides strategic direction, design, and implementation of disability employment and inclusion programs. Her clients include Global 500 companies, plus foundations, universities, and nonprofits. Meg is also involved in disability employee research.  She co-authored ‘The State of Disability Employee Engagement’ to help companies understand the workplace experiences of their employees with disabilities. Meg on Accessibility- “It’s not a facilities issue. Not a building issue. Not an maintenance issue. Everyone has a responsibility to it” – Contact (LinkedIn): Meg O’Connell Steve Wright – is a educator, communicator, and award-winning journalist who is an advocate for positive change. He has presented on design issues and solutions at national conferences, and advises clients on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. As a storyteller, he creates content for major non-profits and corporations. Steve believes in creating a better built environment with a focus on inclusion, dignity, and non-segregating design for people with disabilities. Steve on Design- “The COVID pandemic has proven that the way we build and plan must be safe, accessible and inclusive for all.” – Contact (LinkedIn): Steve Wright – References:  Global Disability Inclusion IDP Discusses ‘Design Crimes’ with Ed Warner, Motionspot MotionSpot – Accessible Hotel Design Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester UK Ponte Guilio Trauma-informed Design Society The Boston Architectural College Universal vs Inclusive Design WELL AP Green Build – LEED Michael Graves, Architects Patricia Belmont/ Belmont Village

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: Jessica Hunt Guests: J. Davis Harte, Christine Cowart, Molly Pierce Inclusive Designers Podcast presents… The Trauma-informed Design Society’s  TiDEvalK12: An Award-Winning TiD Tool for Designing Schools (Season 5, Episode 1) What is the Trauma-informed Design Society’s award-winning  TiDEvalK12 Tool and how can it be used to help designers and educators identify ways to make positive changes within their schools? In this episode, IDP explores just what trauma is, and how it can affect the built environment in schools, and beyond. You’ll meet the team that created this thought-provoking tool that can bridge the gap of language and understanding to ultimately reduce stress through the built environment. Focusing on 12 key domains, the tool can be used to evaluate schools and identify changes in the physical environment that can lower the stress levels of students and staff. It also assists designers in making pointed recommendations and helps administrators better understand the reasons these can be beneficial to their spaces. Panel: Davis Harte, PhD, WELL AP Other IDP Episodes: Trauma-informed Educational Design in a Post-Pandemic Environment Designing for: Trauma-Informed Design – Christine Cowart-Trauma-informed Design Consutant Other IDP Episode: Trauma-informed Design: Transforming Correctional Design for Justice – Molly Pierce- Occuaptional Therapist – – References:  TiDEvalK12 Tool: (It’s FREE!) TiDEvalK12 Report: (Also FREE!) EDRA CORE Award TiD Society ASID Foundation Transforming Grant A SAMHSA; 6 Key Principles Patreon TiDS Patreon IDP Robb Elementary – Uvalde, TX New Building Design (Huckabee) Please help fund the rebuild in Uvalde (link) Transcript: An Award-Winning TiD Tool for Designing Schools (Season 5, Episode 1) Panel: Janet Roche, J. Davis Harte, Christine Cowart, Molly Pierce ...

  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: [email protected] – 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: Pinar Guvenc, SOUR Studio Photo Credit: SOUR Studio This in-depth interview with Pinar Guvenc of SOUR Studio explores the importance of co-design in a ‘VUCA’ (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world, and why language matters when designing.  Inclusive Designers Podcast gets Pinars’ honest opinions from whether bad design is just an ego thing, to why seemingly reasonable approaches (like active listening) are the key to GREAT design. We also learn a bit about how Janet’s bathroom reno for her father is going and the challenges she is facing to re-fit a beautiful, but not necessarily functional, space. Guest: Pinar Guvenc-  is a design strategy expert, co-design advocate & practitioner, educator, mother, frequent actionist, and forever student. “With a co-design process, you’re 50-percent ahead of the game because the insights you’re generating are so much more meaningful and accurate for the project that you’re potentially eliminating so much cost that will come up in the back end if you don’t do it.” Pinar Guvenc– contact: [email protected] – References:  SOUR Studio Open Style Lab (OSL) OSL & SMA- ‘Double Take’ Fashion Week Show SOUR: “Why Language Matters- A Digest on Inclusive Language” SOUR: “A Digest on Co-design” WPP (a Global Creative Agency) NVIDIA Omniverse™ Time Magazine article: “Why is it not THE Ukraine?” Coursera: “What is Active Listening?” Book: John Silber “Architecture of the Absurd” Architectural Digest article: This is what’s wrong with architecture today Don Ruggles (IDP “Beauty and the Brain” Episode) DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Definitions: Co-design– is an approach in which all stakeholders, consumers and users of products or services are involved in the design process as design partners. VUCA WORLD (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous)-  “We are in need of emergent practices and innovations that can address the problems of the VUCA world that we live in today. We can only achieve this by creating together with people with diverse lived experiences and professional backgrounds.” SOUR Studio. Transcript: Living in a ‘VUCA’ World – The Importance of Co-Design! Guest: Pinar Guvenc,...

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-...