IFDA Educational Foundation To Award A $2,500 Universal Design Grant In 1998

Furniture World News

The International Furnishings and Design Association Educational Foundation (IFDAEF) announced it will award a $2,500 Universal Design Grant in 1998. Underwritten with an initial endowment by the IFDA Washington Chapter, the Universal Design Grant was first awarded by IFDAEF in 1997 to Irma Laufer Dobkin of Bethesda, MD. to write and publish a photo essay book entitled Gracious Spaces: Universal Design Principles in Practice. The grant recognized the increasing importance of Universal Design, the evolving discipline by which solutions are created, spaces are designed and products developed to meet people's needs throughout the challenges they may meet either through accident, aging or illness. Through this grant, the IFDA Educational Foundation intends to assist individuals involved with Universal Design who work independently in the areas of product development, design, education or marketing. Applications are available from Foundation headquarters at 1200 19th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-2422 and must be submitted by September 30, 1998. "Universal Design is at its best when its concepts are incorporated as an essential part of all good design," explained Pauline Vastardis, IFDAEF Chair. "It calls for creative, aesthetic, imaginative, functional and compassionate solutions that respect the human condition throughout life's continuum of abilities. The IFDAEF intends to assist those working to develop such principles. IFDA is an international association of executives representing diverse industries related to residential and commercial furnishings and design. As IFDA's philanthropic arm, the Foundation provides support for quality professional development, education, programs, research and service to the furnishings and design industries.