![[Logo - Designable Environments]](images/logo1.gif){kind=logo}
Our Services
![[Photo - Design proposal]](images/pharmacy1.jpg "[Photo - Design proposal]")
Since 1987, DESIGNABLE ENVIRONMENTS has provided a number of design services, including:
- Architectural Consultation
- Codes and Standards Development
- Education and Training
- Facility Auditing and Accessibility Planning
- Medical Legal Consultation
Architectural Consultation
Designable Environments Inc. provides consultation services to architects, interior designers, other design professionals, institutional clients and developers, related to the implementation of barrier free design and universal design concepts into their projects. We customize our services to match the specific demands of every project. Typical activities might include:
- Determine project-specific accessibility requirements based on input from the client and design team, as well as through the application of current codes, standards and best practices
- Development of project-specific accessibility guidelines for use of the design team
- Review of drawings and other project documentation
- Preparation of detailed accessibility reports
- Participation in design meetings
- Coordination of input from disability user groups
- Product research and specification
- Site visits to assist with problem solving and compliance issues
Codes and Standards Development
Designable Environments Inc. has developed accessibility design standards for many municipal and institutional clients. We are familiar with standards development processes that are efficient, consultative and inclusive of user groups. We are familiar with existing local, national and international accessibility codes and standards, as well as numerous accessibility design guidelines. Bob Topping, architect and senior partner in charge of codes and standards development, is a member of the technical committee and chair of the technical sub-committee for CSA B651: Accessible design for the built environment. He is also an active member of the ISO/TC 59/SC 16, Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment.
Education and Training
Designable Environments Inc. has developed and presented workshops, seminars and training courses on accessibility issues including barrier-free design and universal design. We customize our education activities to meet the specific needs of our clients and have presented sessions to groups of varying sizes, from one-on-one training sessions to groups of 500 people or more. The senior partners at Designable Environments are frequent participants and presenters at local, national and international conferences related to accessibility and universal design.
![[Photo - Staff auditing]](images/auditing1.jpg "[Photo - Staff auditing]")
Facility Auditing and Accessibility Planning
Designable Environments Inc. has undertaken many facility audits to determine existing levels of accessibility for persons with disabilities. We are also experienced in auditing large building inventories to determine compliance levels across an entire portfolio. Follow-up activities from the facility auditing process includes deficiency reports, accessibility planning and high-level budgeting.
![[Photo - 2 people reviewing reports]](images/working1.jpg "[Photo - 2 people reviewing reports]")
Medical Legal Consultation
Designable Environments Inc. is engaged by both plaintiff and defence counsel. Our opinions are fair, objective and non-partisan. Carol Kelly has been a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) since 2003 through the Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC). She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science Occupational Therapy in 1981 and is registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). Ms. Kelly has 30 years experience in assessing the effects of disease and/or injury on an individual’s ability to engage in his or her activities of normal living. A client-centred approach is used to complete a comprehensive assessment. Recommendations for goods and services are based on an individual’s functional abilities and potential. The intent of the recommendations advocates the promotion of independence, maintenance of function and prevention of future injury or disability in a cost-effective manner. Designable Environments Inc. is experienced in preparing Present and Future Care Needs and Cost Analysis Reports, Future Loss of Services in Wrongful Death, Past Care Cost Analysis, Loss of Homemaking and Housekeeping Capacity Analysis and Home Accessibility Reports. In addition, we frequently undertake comprehensive file reviews to prepare critiques of the aforementioned reports prepared by other professionals.