Community Vision had an active month of events in October. The CV team shared expertise and know-how in presentations for architects, educators, housing activists, and more.
Here are some highlights:
Universal Design Workshop
Community Vision and Bora Architecture & Interiors welcomed design professionals for a Universal Design Workshop earlier this month.
Design is a catalyst for inclusion. We see this principle in action in our work to increase affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities.
When housing is designed and built to be accessible for all, people with disabilities have more choices of where to live. The benefits of Universal Design also extend to the whole community, allowing people to age in place and for all people to move around a building without barriers. This is what Universal Design (UD) is about.
During the UD workshop, we explored how design can welcome and dignify people in buildings and other spaces. Presenters talked about using UD in a variety of settings from housing projects to library seating. We shared our new Universal Design Guidebook. Participants had great questions and sparked engaged conversations on how UD increases inclusion.
Many thanks to event attendees, Bora Architecture, and sponsor Wells Fargo for a fantastic event.
Inclusive Education Happy Hour
Community Vision’s AT Lab is an assistive technology (AT) education and resource center that serves individuals, families, and caregivers, as well as schools and other institutions.
Earlier this month, we hosted a happy hour to talk about the Lab’s work with educators. This work includes trainings on increasing classroom inclusion for students with disabilities.
At the event, we learned about the Lab’s work with Childswork Learning Center. The AT Lab team also talked about how they fill gaps that exist within our region’s education system.
Attendees had time to get to know each other and to tour the AT Lab, including seeing the Lab’s interactive “Smart Home” room and the free Loan Closet.
If you are interested in learning more about AT in the classroom or in other settings, please reach out to the AT Lab or come to Open Hours at the Lab, Thursdays noon to 5 p.m.
Many thanks to the sponsors of the Inclusive Education Happy Hour.
In addition, thank you to PNC for helping us launch and sustain this work.
Taking Action on Housing for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Older adults and people with disabilities face many of the same barriers to finding a home. To address this, Community Vision, Northwest Pilot Project, and AARP Oregon hosted an afternoon event focused on age- and disability-inclusive housing.
Portland-area activists, experts, and policymakers came together to learn from each other in short presentations and breakout sessions. Topics included creating housing that allows people to age in place, the risk to older adults of becoming unhoused, and shaping policies that make housing more affordable and accessible. Participants had time to network over snacks and beverages.
The afternoon’s conversations and connections are part of a larger effort to build and energize a coalition focused on housing affordability and accessibility. These are key elements to addressing Oregon’s housing crisis.
Thank you to our partners and presenters for a great event: AARP, Northwest Pilot Project, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, and LiveAble Homes.
