Letter to the editor
Universal Design Newsletter
February 2008
Dear John,
When I read your apology to Charles Goldman in the January issue, I was moved to write to commend you on your action. To begin with, I read the title and thought, “There goes John, being a nice guy again and as always.” As I read on, I continued to think of your virtues, but I also recognized your representation of the confusion that lies waiting in the ADA and Fair Housing Guidelines and their interpretation as law. Both points brought a strong enough reaction for me to send off a letter in your support.
First, although not your intent, I am moved to recognize your expertise and generosity in the field of universal design. While I know it’s not the point of your letter, I’d still like to say thanks for your character. My favorite example dates back to when my own office burned to the ground, taking with it all my records and images. You encouraged my visit, opened your files and your home, and I was able to take a giant step towards being back up and running. Look up “good guy” in the dictionary and yes, you’ll be there.
Second, when a person with your expertise in access and universal design, “one who literally wrote the book,” acknowledges the confusion and even conflict among the different access standards, it sort of leaves the rest of us wondering when we’ll ever see clear and consistent guidelines. As a residential interiors person, I work with many builder teams who will often resist new and truly better, more accessible solutions because they have one safe interpretation and will not or can not vary from that “letter of the law.” I commend the ADA for serving as the force that helps drive awareness and improve access on many levels of life for those of us with disabilities. While I know that mistakes would be made in the process, I wish that putting it down in black and white did not have to be so black and white, so we could share creative energy to get to new design concepts, not just the ones that meet that very specific standard.
Thanks, John, for being the true professional, not just bemoaning the challenges of the law, but working to be part of the solution.
Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS
Principal, Mary Jo Peterson Inc.
www.mjpdesign.com