CFUW September General Meeting

September Meeting – Monday, September 20
Speaker: Howard Gerry
Interest Group Sign up during Social Hour
Operating Engineers Hall, 2245 Speers Road
7 p.m. Social Hour, 8 p.m. Programme

Howard Gerry “Beyond Accessibility-Towards an Inclusive Environment”
Our speaker at the September meeting will be Howard Gerry, an artist, designer, and professor with the Ontario College of Art and Design. Professor Gerry graduated from OCAD and then went on to establish his career as a visual artist while at the same time developing a design practice specializing in space management and accessibility issues. Howard returned to OCAD as a professor in 1985 where he has taught young designers subjects such as Design Process, Ethics, and Universal/Inclusive Design.
Universal Design refers to design that produces buildings, products, and communications that enhance the lives of everyone. This includes not only people with disabilities, but seniors dealing with the natural consequences of ageing, mothers with babies and toddlers in tow, immigrants without good English language skills, and everyone in between.
Howard is active in the promotion of the relationship between Design and equitable, sustainable communities. He is well recognized for his expertise and passion about Universal Design. He consults on Universal Design Best Practices for architectural firms and public institutions and public agencies, including the March of Dimes, St. Christopher’s House, the Ontario Government, the City of Toronto, the Martin Prosperity Institute and the Design Exchange, both as a designer and a consultant. As a practicing Designer and Educator, Howard is committed to an inclusive design process, ensuring that all design involves a truly people-centred approach through collaboration with and engagement of all end users.
Howard Gerry has an engaging presentation style. He is sure to provide us with a thought provoking session that has the potential to alter how we perceive our physical and social environments. Please join us for a very special evening.