DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
A House for People with Multiple Sclerosis
In 2020, over 25,600 people were living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Australia. The majority of these people were diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. MS is a neurological disease that affects the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). This disability can make it harder for an individual to find an accessible and suitable home. I chose to design and produce on Vectorworks, a home for people with MS, as this market is often overlooked in housing design. I chose to focus on people with a 1-6 on the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), including people who experience episodes and are restricted to a wheelchair. Strategies and design solutions have been incorporated into the house so that individuals with a degenerative form of MS and individuals who are restricted to a wheelchair can live in the house. Through the use of universal design principles, I have ensured that inclusive design solutions have been made to promote accessibility and usability, allowing people with all levels of ability to live independently.
