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Green Leaf project rendering

24 Hour Universal Design Challenge, Dublin, Design Week 2009
Digital Exchange Building, Crane Street, 6-7 November 2009

Green Leaf

Team W

Team leader: Chris Kurjan, Innovation Delivery
Design partner: James Brosnan

Designated route: Wellington Quay

Green Leaf is an information sharing and accessibility accreditation system, database and website.

Planning a journey requires more than maps and timetables for people with varying abilities. Noel, James (and his personal assistant) need to know in advance where they can get in and out cars, which kerbs are accessible, the location of accessible and functioning toilets and whether anything has changed recently.

Green Leaf is a web-based information system that connects people. It lets them share information on accessible routes, entrances, toilet types and locations as well as providing internal layouts, room locations, conditions and existence of any specialised equipment such as hoists, level access showers. The user may choose to allow their profile to alert organisations to their needs before they arrive.

  • Importantly, businesses can access information on changing needs.
  • Engineers and architects can check their designs against standards for ability, as well as custom and practice. They could gain certification and approval for their designs before going to site.
  • Town planners can access real-time information on obstructions and abnormal conditions. Addressing these conditions early may avoid insurance claims and improve quality.
  • College-level design courses can use the system to teach students the principles of Universal Design.

The strength of this system is the extensive use of existing technologies and systems, such as Google Maps and rating systems, as well as user interfaces on devices such as phones. Ratings will be added as additional components to existing systems like Trip Advisor. The primary new component is the GreenLeaf information database and website.

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