Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access-University at Buffalo

09/03/2026

What does Universal Design look like when it moves from theory to practice?

On September 30, Danise Levine Winter, AIA, Assistant Director of the IDEA Center, will join the Starkloff Disability Institute for Beyond the Blueprint: Universal Design Case Studies in Action.

Danise will share her experience applying Universal Design to real-world environments, drawing from her extensive work over the past 30 years. She’ll join experts from The Kelsey and LS Adaptive to explore how Universal Design creates more inclusive environments, housing, and products.

📅 September 30, 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM ET

Register for Beyond the Blueprint: Universal Design Case Studies in Action webinar: https://starkloff.org/beyond-the-blueprint-universal-design-case-studies-in-action-webinar-september-2026/



University at Buffalo Architecture and Planning - University at Buffalo

Universal design sounds great in theory. This webinar shows what it looks like when people put it into practice. Join speakers from the University at Buffalo, The Kelsey, and LS Adaptive as they walk through real projects: a children's museum in Pittsburgh built to work for

08/19/2026

Celebrating Beth Tauke’s Legacy in Universal Design

As Beth Tauke retires after more than 40 years at the University at Buffalo, we’re proud to celebrate her lasting contributions to the IDEA Center and the field of Universal Design.

As a project director at the IDEA Center, Beth helped advance Universal Design education and research, including founding and directing the Universal Design Education Online project. Her work has helped expand the understanding and application of inclusive design within architecture education and beyond.

Beth’s commitment to design for all, along with her dedication to teaching and mentorship, has influenced generations of students, colleagues, and design professionals. We are grateful for her many contributions to the IDEA Center and wish her all the best in retirement!

Read more about Beth’s remarkable career in UBNow:
https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2026/08/tauke-retires.html

Photo by: Douglas Levere

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An expert in inclusive design and design education, Tauke left an indelible imprint on the intellectual life of the school.

08/06/2026

We're excited to celebrate WindScape Brooklyn as the latest project to earn isUD Certification, recognizing its commitment to creating an inclusive experience for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Led by Danise Levine Winter, the IDEA Center collaborated with Equinor, Community Offshore Wind, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and exhibit design partners to integrate Universal Design solutions throughout New York's first learning center dedicated to offshore wind education.

More than an exhibit, WindScape Brooklyn invites visitors to touch, explore, and engage with interactive experiences that bring offshore wind, renewable energy, and future workforce opportunities to life.

isUD Certification recognizes projects that go beyond accessibility requirements by applying Universal Design solutions to create environments that enhance usability, inclusion, and the overall visitor experience. As the newest addition to the growing family of isUD Certified projects, WindScape Brooklyn demonstrates how thoughtful design can make spaces more engaging, equitable, and welcoming for everyone.

Learn more about Windscape Brooklyn project:
https://thisisud.com/windscape-brooklyn/

University at Buffalo Architecture and Planning - University at Buffalo



Photos by Windscape Brooklyn and IDEA Center

07/30/2026

We’re proud to share that the IDEA Center is serving on the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA Metro) Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).

This involvement brings Universal Design perspectives to important conversations about the current and future of public transportation across Western New York. Through collaboration with community members, advocates, and transit leaders, the committee works to improve accessibility, usability, and the rider experience for people of all ages and abilities.

At the IDEA Center, we believe inclusive transit systems create stronger, more connected communities, and we’re excited to support that mission through ongoing partnership and engagement.

Learn more about the NFTA Metro AAC:
https://metro.nfta.com/programs/community/accessibility-advisory-committee

07/23/2026

RERC Project Highlights: Identifying Performance and Health Benefits of UD Workplaces

Can workplace design improve employee wellbeing, reduce stress, and support better performance? Through the NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design Applications (90REGE0031), we re examining how Universal Design features in office environments affect employee health, satisfaction, and workplace experiences. The project will explore how workplace design can better support a diverse workforce, including neurodivergent employees, and provide evidence for creating healthier and more inclusive work environments. Stay tuned for updates as data collection gets underway this fall.



Conceptual illustration created with AI to represent the research described. It does not depict actual study participants or project sites.

07/16/2026

How do extreme weather events affect the physical access and transportation needs of people with disabilities?

The IDEA Center, along with University at Buffalo colleagues from the Architecture and Planning - University at Buffalo, Public Health and Health Professions - University at Buffalo, and University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, is conducting a NIDILRR-funded Field-Initiated Project (FIP) study to better understand how communities prepare for and respond to flooding, snowstorms, and extreme heat events. The team is interviewing emergency management officials, disability and accessibility coordinators, and transit agency staff in selected counties across New York State and will next engage people with disabilities to learn from their lived experiences. The project aims to identify opportunities to improve accessibility, transportation, and community resilience before, during, and after extreme weather events.

07/09/2026

The isUD Certification plaque is now proudly on display at the Utica Children’s Museum!

We’re thrilled to share that the museum is the first in New York State to earn isUD Certification. Through a close collaboration with the Utica Children's Museum, On! Studio, and CSArch, our team at the IDEA Center, led by Danise Levine Winter, helped integrate universal design solutions throughout the museum to create a space where children and families of all ages and abilities can engage, explore, and learn together.

The plaque is a lasting symbol of the museum's commitment to serve as a role model for inclusive, welcoming, and socially responsible design.

Learn more about the project:
https://thisisud.com/featured-projects/utica-childrens-museum



University at Buffalo Architecture and Planning - University at Buffalo

06/30/2026

🏕️ This summer, some of us are trading office desks for campgrounds! Our team is visiting camps across the country to support accessibility and universal design—because every camper deserves the chance to participate, belong, and thrive.

06/23/2026

This week, our graduate assistant, Kyle English, joined our team on a facility accessibility audit, helping evaluate how well a workplace supports employees of all abilities. Under the guidance of Jonathan White, our Director of Design Consulting, Kyle learned how critical measurements, clearances, and design details can influence usability and inclusion.

Helping clients create more accessible, universally designed workplaces while mentoring future professionals—it's a win-win. 💡♿✨

Learn more about our consulting services:
https://idea.ap.buffalo.edu/services/ada-consulting/

06/16/2026

The Academic Minute: Inclusive Design is More Than Just Curb Cuts

We're proud to share that our Director, Jordana Maisel, was recently featured on The Academic Minute, discussing how universal design can help create environments that are more usable, accessible, and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.

As a leader in the field of inclusive design, Jordana continues to advance research and practice that improve everyday experiences in our homes, workplaces, communities, and public spaces.

Take a few minutes to listen to the feature and learn more about the impact of universal design:
https://www.academicminute.org/p/jordana-maisel-university-at-buffalo



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