Director, IDEA Center
Co-Director of RERC on Universal Design and the Built Environment
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Bio

Edward Steinfeld, Arch.D., is a registered architect and gerontologist with special interests in universal design, accessibility and design for the lifespan. At The State University of New York at Buffalo (UB), he is a Professor of Architecture, Director of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA), and Co-Director of the current RERC on Universal Design and the Built Environment (RERC-UD). He is one of the authors of the principles of universal design and has an extensive record of researching, developing, publishing and training a diverse group of stakeholders on universal design. Dr. Steinfeld has directed over 30 sponsored research projects and has over 100 publications and 3 patents. Many of his publications are considered key references in the fields of accessible and universal design. He was the author of "Universal design in mass transportation" and a co-author of "Universal design in automobiles" chapters in the Universal Design Handbook (2001). He is internationally known for his research and has traveled widely to lecture in many countries.

In 2003 he received a Distinguished Professor Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and has also received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) and Progressive Architecture. Recently, he received a Ron Mace, Designing for the 21st Century Award. He is a frequent consultant to federal and state agencies, building owners and attorneys and has designed several buildings that are home to many people with severe disabilities.

Dr. Steinfeld is a member of RESNA, HFES, and AIA.

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