Abstract:

This report is designed to summarize the papers, discussion and recommendations of The Anthropometrics of Disability: An International Workshop and to communicate it to a diverse audience. The first section in the main body of the report includes short summaries of the papers and the key points presented in every paper session followed by summaries of the discussion and recommendations made by participants. The last section, the Executive Summary, provides an overview of the entire workshop and presents a proposed agenda for action to follow through with many of the recommendations, and identifies specific implications for the two sponsors, the U.S. Access Board and the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The Workshop was a three-day conference held in Buffalo, NY between May 31 and June 2, 2001. It was attended by about 40 invited participants and featured 20 presentations by researchers and practitioners from around the world who are experts in the areas field of anthropometry and anthropometric issues related to people with disabilities. The goal was to generate new ideas and approaches about data collection, analysis, computer modeling and effective use of anthropometric data in the design of environments and products. An important long-range objective was to identify ways to improve the knowledge bases used in accessibility codes so that they can more accurately reflect the functional abilities and needs of people with disabilities.