Dear Friends:

New York City has a long history of protecting the rights and enhancing the opportunities of the disabled. In fact, our Human Rights Law contains provisions for the disabled that go above and beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am proud that our City is continuing its leadership role by becoming the first in the Nation to release a book to help architects, designers, urban planners, and developers make their structures equally accessible to all.

Universal Design New York was created by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and the Department of Design and Construction, in cooperation with the New York City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. It describes the concept of universal design and illustrates many useful examples of this innovative design philosophy. This guide also addresses myths associated with the cost of this approach and provides a model for other municipalities to follow.

Universal design represents a further evolution toward the understanding that we must not view individuals with disabilities as separate and different, but as an inherent part of the extraordinary diversity that is, after all, what makes New York City the "Capital of the World."

Sincerely,

Rudolph W. Giuliani
Mayor

Dear Friends:

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities should be commended for developing a cogent and concise set of universal design guidelines. This book of design criteria draws upon specific examples to illustrate what works best in achieving universal design principles.

Going beyond the strictures of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the tenets of universal design address the manner in which attention to the differential needs of all people, over time, can lead to well-designed buildings that seamlessly integrate thoughtful solutions and appropriate materials.

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is dedicated to design excellence, professional development and public outreach. The City's universal design guidelines combine these three goals in a well-written document which should be used by all architects and building owners as a reference and resource.

Yours truly,

Fredric Bell, FAIA
Executive Director
AIA New York Chapter