Freedom Essay Example

Freedom Essay Freedom is a privilege that many of us easily take for granted sometimes.   We subconsciously do it, because its so easy to forget that its not a right, but a privilege.   The freedom to live how we want, dress how we want, do what we want, and especially say what we want, all within reasonable limits, of course.   The reason why freedom is a privilege and not a right is because it could easily be taken away from us one day, for one reason or another, and also because everyone in this world does not have the ability to be as free as others do.   The media field is one where freedom is especially precious.   Throughout the world, many members of the press have the ability to cover most of what they want, with minimal boundaries preventing their duties.   However, in many countries around the world, members of the press find themselves under constraints that limit the things that they are allowed to say, due to threats and influences from political leaders in those countrie s.   In the countries of the former Soviet Union, there are many cases where the media constantly has the eye of the government on them. Until 1985, the countries of the Soviet Union were anything but free and open under the strict rule of the Communist-led government.   The Communist revolution had initially been one that was supposedly for the benefit of the people and their freedoms, but through the eras of Lenin, Stalin, and and on up to Chemenko, that must have been lost somewhere in the middle of trying to assume complete control of the republics many peoples.   That meant controlling what they knew and what they found out about the state of the country, the political goings-on, their history, and the people around them.   And, if that meant brainwashing, hiding facts, twisting truths, and all-out lying to the people, then that is what had to be, and what was, done, for a long, long time. We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer That is, until Mikhail Gorbachev came along.   Gorbachev advocated a policy of freeness and openness, that put the country in a new, unfamiliar position.   It was one that benefited the people and gave them the opportunity to be not live under such a shroud of cautiousness, and it also gave the media a new freeness in reporting things that, at one time, would have either been almost off-limits to them, or grounds for serious trouble.   This openness, known as Glasnost, was one of the main factors in the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.   The freedoms that the people and the media had been given were the catalyst that was needed to make a push for independence and change in many of the Soviet republics.   Once the itch for independence had began, it spread like wildfire, and there was little that the political leaders could do about it, because, due to all that the media were now allowed to say, a lot of the Communist transgressions of the past and present were reveale d, much to the shock of the mass of citizens. The Soviet Unions collapse became complete in the early 1990s, and in the mother country, changes were quickly made in the freedom of the media.   Under Boris Yeltsin, the freeness that had begun under Gorbachev continued.   Considering some of the strange things that occurred with Yeltsin, that may not have been a good thing for the leader.   But, any changes for the better in Russia have been gradually pushed out since Vladimir Putin became the countrys leader, succeeding Yeltsin at the end of 1999, who had named the former KGB agent his appointed successor.   Putin immediately restored the governments hold on the people, bringing it back to pre-Glasnost days.   In the first year of Putins tenure, media censorship was tightened, and several media organizations were brought under great governmental scrutiny, raided, shut down, and restructured so that the government could have the proper influence over what could be reported.   But, even beyond those already extreme meas ures, many journalists personally felt the wrath of the new regime   A countless number of media members were threatened, but in a number of cases, the threats manifested themselves into acts, and several Russian media members were kidnapped or brutally attacked, and there were a reported several murders of Russian journalists as a result of reporting on controversial issues.   The resumption of an earlier conflict with breakaway republic Chechnya fueled a number of these incidents, as Russian leaders were intent on painting the Chechens as the instigators of the conflict, and also hiding much of the bloodshed that occurred the during the conflict. Since then, Russian media has gradually lost more and more of its freedom, and as it stands today, is as free as it was before Gorbachev.   The treatment of the media in the country is not looked favorably upon by organizations that monitor press freedom.   The country consistently ranks in the lowest portion of the press freedom rankings issued by the organization Reporters Without Borders, and its dwindling support of freedom of the press has also received it a Not Free status from Freedom House.   The long-running conflict with Chechnya has had a great influence on the overall presence of the media, because it not only has created limitations with what the media can say about that conflict specifically, but about many other issues that might be viewed controversial or open up criticisms to the government.   In 2003, the nations last independent national television broadcaster, NTV, was shut down, and the moves to control the media havent stopped there.   Many who have be en responsible for being critical or supposedly slandering the government and officials have been either slapped with ludicrous fines or lawsuits, or sent to prison for their work, such as journalist German Galkin, who was sentenced to a year of prison in 2003 to silence him for speaking of indiscretions by regional government officials. When you think of the Soviet Union, Russia is the first country that comes to mind, but in many of the former Soviet republics, the media is under the same pressure, and in some of the countries, even a little more, than in the former mother country.   The political leader of the central Asian country of Turkmenistan, Sapamurat Niyazov, has as firm of a grip on the media as he does on the people of his country.   The dictator, who has been in power for more than three decades, and is the self-annointed President for Life and the Turkmenbashi, has the final say in what goes on the front pages   of the countrys major newspapers.   His control on the broadcast media is just as tight.   At the beginning of every news broadcast, broadcasters start with a pledge that their tongues will shrivel if they ever slander the country, the flag, or Niyazov, and thusly, all that is said is nothing but praise for the leader and the country.   Unfortunately, problems like poverty, AIDS, an d prostitution are covered up.   Niyazov also ensures hes never far from his peoples memories, as his picture is constantly shown on the bottom of the screen on the state television networks.   In the most recent Reporters Without Borders rankings, Turkmenistan is ranked 167th.   That distinction is made all the more dubious by the fact that the ranking lists 168 countries.   Turkmenistan is also ranked third in a list of the ten most censored countries in the world, compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The situation is much the same in other former Soviet republics.   In Uzbekistan, journalists have to walk a fine, fine line, and if they dare, can release stories that are critical of leader Islam Karimov and the government, but theres a price to be paid for it.   Uzbekistan also has the most reported imprisoned journalists of any of the former Soviet republics, with six behind bars at the end of last year.   And those who are free are subjected to great political intimidation that limits what they can say.   And, any freedom that media did have was undone by the Andijan massacre in May 2005, when many anti-government protesters were murdered.   In the aftermath of the bloodshed, all foreign press were either kicked out of the country or forced to flee, because of the factual eyewitness reports they filed that were contradictory to what the government had put out. Belarus is another former Soviet republic that has the media on a short leash.   During the 2004 elections, more than two dozen journalists were imprisoned.   The leader who was conspicuously re-elected as a result of those elections, Aleksandr Lukashenko, goes to great lengths to ensure that a favorable shadow is cast upon him by the various media outlets.   Most of the main media outlets are owned by the government, so there is little room and even less tolerance for any independent news media.   Lukashenko has had many independent news outlets shut down, and he does a lot to prevent the release of most critical articles and stories, by going through print houses and the post offices.   So, for the few independent news agencies, there is little real independence.   And, if any journalists and reporters dare defy the wishes of Lukashenko, they could face punishment of up to five years in prison for their critical statements. To get a better picture of how difficult it is for media members to work in the former Soviet Union, those two aforementioned lists and also lists compiled by another media freedom organization, Freedom House, provide a lot of telling statistics.   Turkmenistan (#3), Uzbekistan (#8), and Belarus (#10) are all in that CPJ list of most censored countries, and all three are ranked lower than 150th in the Reporters Without Borders rankings.   The media Baltic states such as Lithuania and Latvia rate in the Free category as per Freedom Houses list of free, partly free, and not free nations, but those are exceptions.   Nine former Soviet republics, along with Russia, make up the Not Free category. Conditions are poor for the media in Turkmenistan and other former Soviet satellites, but there is only one country in the world that officially tops all of those countries, and that is North Korea.   North Korea has been very last in each of Reporters Without Borders press freedom rankings, which the organization has released since 2002.   If the North Korean leaders arent proud enough about those honors, then theres also the distinction of being at the top of the list in that CPJ ranking of the worlds ten most censored countries.   All news media outlets in the country are under strict government control.   The countrys citizens are unable to hear the truth about the poor state of the country and the transgressions of the corrupt government, including widespread famine and poverty that has much to do with the government more for itself, like build nuclear weapons, than it does for the sake of its peoples welfare.   Instead, news focuses on leader Kim Jong-il, building him up to be as much of an icon as his father, former and late leader, Kim Il-sung.   Few foreign media members are allowed into the country, and those who do are closely monitored by government-appointed watchers to make sure they dont say or see anything that they shouldnt.   Televisions and radios are permanently on state-run channels, and any print publications are subject to the same methods of approval as publications in Turkmenistan. The April 2004 explosion of a train in Ryongchon serves as a perfect example of how much of a hold that the government has over the media.   After the explosion, the official state news agency, the Korean Central News Agency, instead of talking about the casualties of the explosion, talked about how people reportedly ran into burning buildings to save portraits of the countrys leader before doing things like gathering up valuable possessions or ensuring the safety of what was most important, themselves and their loved ones.   Also, North Korea took two days to admit that an explosion had indeed occurred, and even so, when the accident was admitted, the scale of it was toned down.   North Koreas insufficient supply of information caused a delay in the delivery of proper aid to the victims, and it also went a long way to show just how little care the government has for its citizens. The North Korean government takes great measures to make sure that journalists say what they are supposed to say, and nothing more.   Steps are taken to revolutionize journalists, educating them on the necessity of getting every bit of information correct, on down to the proper spellings of officials names.   Many North Korean journalists have been sent to concentration camps, which should no longer exist, but are home to over 200,000 North Korean citizens.   One North Korean journalist was forced to work on a pig farm for six months for leaving off the last syllable of Kim Jong-ils name.   Journalists have to take part in courses that span long hours, for the purpose of learning everything about the leaders speeches, his achievements, and his party, to train their minds as to what theyre supposed to focus their reporting on.   Journalists, like the one who made a mistake on Kims name, face a series of punishments, from going through a period of interrogation and self-criti cism in front of a committee, and then being sent to the revolutionization camps for a period of time until they have their minds in order again.   In the past couple of decades, several journalists and important media members have either been removed, mysteriously disappeared, or fled the country as a result of their not keeping in line with the leaders wishes. For many of us who live in freer countries and regions, like the U.K., or the United States, or most of Europe, it would seem hard to believe how the inability to speak freely is as widespread as it is in this current day, but such is the case.   And, it might be even harder to believe that, in some of these countries, journalists often enough have to pay the ultimate price for giving out the truth and speaking their mind.   Just two months ago, in Russia, prominent, and highly controversial, journalist Anna Politkovskaya was shot and killed in her apartment complex.   Politkovskaya had been a harsh critic of the Russian government, and she had also been one of the leading journalists involved in reporting the events in Chechnya for the past several years.   She had been kidnapped and poisoned before, and had also often been the subject of death threats.   Murder is the ultimate and most extreme measure, and while it doesnt often happen, it happens more often than it should .   Politskovskaya is not the only Russian journalist who has fallen victim in the past several years.   Over a dozen Russian journalists have been savagely and unnecessarily murdered since the beginning of Putins tenure, and many, many more have been brutally attacked.   Violence towards journalists is not limited to Russia, either.   Just this year, Turkmen journalist Ogulsapar Muradova was tortured and killed while in prison.   Elsewhere, the abduction and heinous murder of Ukrainian journalist Heorhiy Gongadze in 2000 is still fresh in the minds of his colleagues throughout the world.   Gongadze was a well-known Internet reporter who ran a site that spoke out against supposed corruption by the government, and his killing was reportedly ordered by the then-president, Leonid Kuchima.   Statistically, Ukraine has been one of the worlds most dangerous places to be a journalist, with more than 20 journalists being murdered since Soviet independence was achieved. So, is the situation in these affected countries likely to change anytime within the near future? Organizations like Reporters Without Borders and CPJ work tirelessly to promote journalistic freedom throughout the world, and in countries where freedom of the press is limited, influential political leaders around the world and even international organizations like the United Nations often get involved in trying to press the issue to the leaders of those countries.   However, unless the leaders of these countries have a sudden change of heart, or the people who replace them dont follow their predecessors agendas, or by chance, theres a coup of the current governments, there would seem to be little hope for change, at least in the short term. Words speak far louder than actions do, because words can often incite people to act.   History shows that hitting the right chord with people and telling them the right things, may it be truth or lie, goes a long way in determining political success.   The leaders of those countries know that, as long as theyre telling people the right things, and keeping from them what they dont need to know, then their spot in office is solidified.   The case of the former Soviet Union shows just how big of an effect freeness and openness has on instigating a revolution of some sort.   There has, however, been progress, albeit mixed.   Ukraine has seen improvements in the governmental treatment of the media under new leader Viktor Yushchenko, as the number of media members who are harassed and physically attacked have greatly declined in the past couple of years, and meddling in what the media reports has also seen a decline.   Also, Yushchenko pushed to solve the Gongadze murder, and his killers were found in 2005.   Still though, that progress has not come without incident, because even one attack or murder of a journalist is too much, and those have not yet completely stopped in the country.   But, if Ukraine can make some slow progress in the right direction, progress can be made elsewhere.   Its all a matter of effort. Unfortunately, the prognosis for progression in North Korea seems extremely grim, barring some sort of miracle.   A couple of foreign media outlets have tried to make their way into the radio frequencies of the countrys citizens, with some success.   Those with radios must register them with the police, and have them preset to government frequencies.   But, those who want to get access to those foreign stations can purchase another radio and try to listen to those stations, such as FreeNK, which broadcasts an hour of government-critical programs each day.   However, those who dare to subvert the leader and listen face the risk of imprisonment, and those media outlets and any other, domestic or foreign, are looked down upon by the North Korean government as enemies.   Because of Kims lack of desire for his people to have any sort of actual freedom or rights, only those that are allowed by him, it does not seem likely that the censorship and control of the media will change, at least while Kim is alive and in power. It would be nice to think that, at some point, freedom of speech and press could not be limited to only a certain number of countries, but instead expanded to fit the entire world.   Organizations can do everything within their means for the sake of freedom, but in the end, its up to the leaders in those countries to decide what they want said, who they want to say it, and how they want it said, even if that means going against laws that allow freedom of the press, as in Russias case.  Ã‚   Fortunately, there are people like Anna Politkovskaya and so many other journalists throughout the world who stand up for the voices of freedom and for the masses of unrepresented and oppressed people.   Sadly, people like her end up paying with their lives sometimes, or their freedom.   The fact that people would sacrifice their lives for the sake of the truth and expression shows just how valuable freedom of speech is.   The efforts of those people should be praised, and their work exa lted, not halted.   And those who are martyrs for the truth and for freedom are one of many reasons why we should never, ever take our freedom for granted, no matter how easy it might be to do so. Freedom Essay Example Freedom Essay During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries there were several different groups fighting for their freedom. These groups are the founding fathers of America, women, and black slaves. They each had written documents that officially gave them their freedom, but two of these groups needed a war to get them there. As you will see, they each took their own unique path to freedom. First of all, there are the Founding Fathers of America who gained their freedom by breaking with England who was in control over them. This was done through their Declaration of Independence and ultimately through the revolutionary war. In the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers declared We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.Unfortunately, the Declaration of Independence did not extend human rights to all human beings. The first US Constitution preserved the institution of slavery and did not recognize the equal rights of women. We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Secondly there are black slaves, whose freedom was gained through the white people in the north gaining them their freedom through the civil war.This was perhaps the most outstanding violations of human rights by the US. Slaves first arrived in America in 1619, but by the end of the century, the number of slaves had increased dramatically. Throughout this time, there were a number of prominent statesmen that opposed slavery, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. Many Christian churches opposed it as well. The Quakers actively protested against it, the Presbyterian Church made several formal declarations against it, and the Methodist Church opposed it as an evil institution. Abraham Lincoln also opposed slavery. freedom Essay Example freedom Paper Many times throughout history, specific events occur that explain why the existence of Native Americans are necessary for the Spanish and English colonists to survive. The Native Americans were like parents to the Spanish and English colonists. As a newborn baby is introduced to the new world, alike, the Spanish and English were introduced to a New World in which the Natives were already a part of. Their inhabitance of the land dates back to many thousands of years ago where they inhabited all regions of the Americas. When the Europeans arrived the Natives gave the colonists knowledge about the land. At times the Natives cared for them and supplied them with food and various other things. They also provided work for the colonists whether the Natives were slaves, servants or allied forces. Economically, the Natives were needed very much for anything the colonists would export to Europe. Throughout history, the colonists dependency on the Natives was clearly shown and the how the colon ists exploited the Natives in every possible way was also clear. What the colonists needed most from the Natives was their knowledge of the land. Because the Natives lived in the Americas for thousands of years, they are familiar with the area and they know how to work with it. For example, when Cortez landed on the Mexican shores on 1519, he used the Aztecs for their gold. When he found out where the Aztecs were getting their gold from, he simply destroyed them after he used them for their knowledge. Spanish colonists also had to learn a lot from the Pima, Pueblo and Papagos to be able to continue their farming in the very dry Southwest. Another tribes knowledge the colonists needed for survival was the Hohokam. The Hohokam built and maintained thefirst irrigation system in America, channeling river water many miles to desert fields of maize, beans, squash, tobacco, and cotton. The Hohokams knowledge of the

Analysis of Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney Essays

Analysis of Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney Essays Analysis of Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney Paper Analysis of Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney Paper Seamus Heaney, Mid-Term Break In Seamus Heaney’s poem â€Å"Mid-Term Break† one is misled by the title which normally would bring to mind parties, frivolous activities, and a much needed break from classes.The writer immediately extinguishes these thoughts as the college sick bay is mentioned (Heaney, 1).Heaney does not use rhyming or specific sentence structure but still manages to draw a strong reaction message from his readers.The reader is shocked by the last line as it reveals the death of a child, the emotionless reaction to this death, and the injustice of a young life gone forever. Although at first it seems as if the reader could perhaps be sick himself we quickly learn that the school bells sound to him as if they were â€Å"bells knelling† (2) which are often associated with a death toll or funeral procession.This immediately sets the tone of something far more tragic. The death of a young child has occurred, although it is not yet known the relationship between the reader and the deceased.There is no mention of grieving or emotion but the tone is very somber as the reader is confronted with various family members and friends in many states of grieving. As the eldest child the reader feels he is expected to behave or react a certain way.His family and friends are openly emotional and upset at the needless death of the young child.The reader puts on a brave face as he feels a duty to his family to remain strong.It is tragically implied by this phrase â€Å"away at school† (12) that if he had been home the accident would have never occurred.The tremendous pressure of unspoken criticism has to be overwhelming and yet another reason to dampen the reader’s emotions although the grief he felt must have been great.

GMO products Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

GMO products - Essay Example The engineering involves either adding a gene or genes to the plant’s genome or removal of the genes. (Freedman, 2009).  The methods used include gene guns, microinjection, electroparaton and agrobacterium. There are advanced methods that are more convenient which are the Crispr and Talen techniques. (Halford, 2006).   The gene guns technique uses radiations that are target the genes into a cell of a plant. The new DNA is combined to very small particles of tungsten or gold which are then shot into the target plant tissue or cell and all this is subjected to high pressures. The particles enter the cell membranes/cell wall and the DNA enters into the nucleus by detaching itself from the metal. This method has been used mainly in the production of maize and corn. The agrobacterium method uses the agrobacteria-organisms that are parasitic in nature and have the ability to transfer genes. They insert their genetic materials in a plant to create a convenient environment for themselves. This organisms are used in genetically engineering by removing their DNA and replacing it with the intended gene, allowing the transfer of the gene into plants. This method has been commonly used to produce tomatoes and potatoes. The electroparation is mainly used in plants whose cells do not contain a cell wall. Here, electric pulses cause the DNA to be put into the target plant cell through pores. Microinjection involves directly injecting a gene into the target plant’s DNA. The most common food alterations is concentrated mainly in cash crops that have high demand for example, soybean, corn and canola seeds. They are altered to make them resistant to diseases and to tolerate herbicides improving their quality. There are three types of modifications:- the transgenic method that involves the transfer of genes from one plant to another or from a bacterium to a plant. These plants are used to make or process proteins that help in making the plant tolerant and

Select an organization that has a web presence and analyze the Article

Select an organization that has a web presence and analyze the organization using elements listed below from Chapter 3 - Article Example It is a company based in US but it enjoys a large market share in all continents. The organization has branches in various countries to ensure that there is a continuous supply of products to their customers. The company has laid strategies that are responsible for the large market share that they have. Gillette enjoyed monopoly of the market until 1962 when other companies producing similar products emerged to compete for market. Despite of competition from other companies, Gillette has maintained a higher number of customers across the globe. Gillette has 70% of the market share with its competitors sharing a 30% share. The company started with men’s razor and blade products, after a proper market research, they started to manufacture women shaving products too. Men had complains when they shave with ordinary razors. They developed complications like rushes and pain after shaving. Due to this, they needed shaving products that are safe. Gillette produces a variety of shaving products that completely satisfies their customers’ shaving needs. Their razor products include Atra, Trac-II, and Sensor for women. They also produce Mach3 that has three thin blades designed to shave closely with less strokes and no irritation. Customers as well need products that are less expensive. To satisfy this need, Gillette has applied technology to produce shaving products that can be used more than once; hence, their products are economically friendly to customers. Gillette has several competitors that threaten their large market share. Key competitors include Schick and the Quattro. They produced the first four bladed razors to the market. They also produced shaving products for women for instance, Intuition for women invaded Gillette’s hold of market for women shaving products. Gillette has also faced serious competition from online competitors for example the dollar-shaving club. They try to win customers using their low shaving prices as compared to Gillette

Finance Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Finance Principles - Essay Example It can be explained as, if one of the asset in the portfolio is giving negative return, then it would not have a significant impact on the overall return of the portfolio because the other assets might be performing well and thus making up for the asset which is not performing well. Diversification helps an investor to have consistent return on its portfolio over a period of time. An investor who is risk-averse in nature would always strive to have a completely diversified portfolio in order to minimize risks associated with it. Quantitative measure of portfolio is possible with the advent of several portfolio selection theories. Using those quantitative measures one can have the benefits of diversification to the maximum amount possible. The diversification strategy proposed by Markowitz is based on the covariance between the returns generated by the assets included in a portfolio. The diversification theory proposed by Markowitz is related to the risks associated with the portfolio as a whole and not the risk associated with any asset in isolation. Markowitz used variance as a measure of risk. Markowitz tried to develop a diversified portfolio by including those assets in the portfolio which are not perfectly positively correlated with each other, so that the variance in return of the portfolio is minimized without affecting much on the return of the portfolio.1 Mean – Variance Diversification Mean – Variance diversification portfolio theory utilizes marginal analysis as a means of achieving optimal level of diversified portfolio. It is based on the fact that diversification should be enhanced until and unless marginal cost is less than the marginal benefit. The advantage of this theory is the minimization of risk. The costs that are considered in this theory are holding costs and transaction costs. The standard deviation of the returns generated through the combination of assets is used as the risk measure in case of this theory of diversificat ion. Marginal benefits associated with diversification of portfolio get increased with decrease in correlation between asset returns. On diversification of the portfolio the expected value of standard deviation goes on decreasing. Optimal diversification depends on the expected correlations between each pair of assets in the portfolio, the buying costs of each of the assets, the holding costs of the assets and expected premium on equity used as asset in the portfolio.2 Risks associated with any portfolio can either be unsystematic risks or systematic risks. As discussed earlier risk gets reduced with diversification. However, diversification reduce risk only to a certain level, beyond which it is not possible to reduce risk because changes in the market conditions as a whole affects in variation of prices of all the assets included in the portfolio and it is not possible to reduce or eliminate this variability beyond a certain level. Hence it is necessary to divide risk into two par ts, namely systematic risk and unsystematic risk. The risk which represents that portion of the variability in asset caused by the market movements are known as systematic risk. This type of risk is unavoidable in nature and is sometimes termed as beta as mentioned in the Capital Asset Pricing

Code of Ethics and Safety in Engineering

Code of Ethics and Safety in Engineering Abstract With a safe product, we have no worries of using it because there is no risk that going to occur. But we must know that nothing in this world is perfect. Any accident can happen to any one of us out there. Engineer always involve themselves with design and creation of new things which demand for a good quality and safer product. Safe Design must comply with the applicable law, requires knowledge and capability, must attempt to foresee potential misuses of the product, must meet standard of accepted engineering practice and must verify every final design. After the process that being followed by the engineer themselves, so it is up to the user to use it in the right way. This project is expected to give awareness to the engineering ethic course student on the term risk, safety and accident in the real world. INTRODUCTION What can we say about Engineering Code of Ethics in this topic? To be simple, it is related to the engineers to produce products that are safe for the society. It is also important that they are the main role in preventing accidents of their invention. We must know that nothing can be 100% safe and perfect, but still engineers are required to make products as safe as reasonably possible.[1] Firstly, we must know that safety is about freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger or loss. So, engineers have to follow the process or designing his product in order to make it safe as possible. Safe design is a process of hazard identification mainly at the design stage or controlling risk as early as possible to health and safety in the planning and design of products, systems or process. Through risk assessment, design option will be generated to eliminate Occupational Health Safety (OHS) hazards or to minimize OHS risks of injury to those who make the product and to those who used it.[3] In response to societal demands for safer products and workplaces, governments, businesses, engineers and others who are involved in innovation are requiring that safety be a fundamental principle in design. Design is a fundamental engineering activity. Engineer always involve in design, development and creation of new or improved products, process, systems and services. Hence, quality and safety in design should be fundamental in engineering concerns, not only to ensure that the code of engineering ethic is to be practiced but also to maintain a good reputation in engineering profession for better sense to develop products, processes and systems.[3] Safe design plays a big role in design objective, including practicability, cost and the functionality of the designed-product. Safe design is the process of successfully achieving a balance of these objectives. To ensure a total safety in a design, safe design needs an understanding of the each stage in the life of a designed product, starting with the initial conception to the end life of the product. Poor design can result in low productivity, higher maintenance, higher employment and workers compensation expenses and reduced asset life. These economic costs are in addition to human costs of injury, illness, disease and disability.[3] As we all know that accidents can always occur in anytime. It is usually happened on the user itself although the product that being used is already being design in term of safety and the usage too. It is case to case basis situation. It depends on whom to be blame. It may seem that engineers sometime bear no responsibility for any accident that happened. However, engineer must understand that the system or products that he is working on and to attempt to be creative in determining how things can be designed to avert as many mistakes by people using the technology as possible.[1] As we design something, we must also consider the manual and procedure for the use of the device or technology of the design. It is for the user itself. Engineers have to follow the design rules and in fact they have to pay the risk by designing something so that any accident can be averted. By generating the owners manual, maybe the user can use the device or the technology in the right way and it also can reduce the chances of getting any accident that can lead to death or injury. So engineers are born to help the people in the world by inventing the advance technology and designing it with the prospect of safety too. SAFE DESIGN CRITERIAS 1) Safe Design must comply with the applicable law All the design must meet their specifications and standards to ensure a good and safe design. Federal safety laws are different for each departments or industries. For example, International Maritime Organization (IMO) has an important part to play for adopting legislation for ships. IMOs safety legislation deals with the ship and passenger while The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) do concern with passenger safety and with lifesaving equipment on passenger ships. While for electrical field, The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is a set of rules to safeguard people during the installation, operation, and maintenance of electric power lines. The NESC contains the basic provisions considered necessary for the safety of employees and the public. Although it is not intended as a design specification, its provisions establish minimum design requirements. PPL Electric Utilities Corp. (PPL) has developed design specifications and safety rules which meet or surpass all requirements specif ied by the NESC.[3] 2) Safe Design requires knowledge and capability In this case, engineers need to have and be able to demonstrate required knowledge about the design that he or she is about to build. They must have knowledge about the workplace hazards and any harmful effect because some of the design or project involves the prevention that may have potential to release hazardous material or energy. Such incidents will affect the environment such as toxic effects, fire or explosion and will drive to other consequences such as serious injuries, property damage and loss production. These are the basis possibilities that engineers must concern and implement ways to avoid any danger causes.[4] 3) Safe Design must attempt to foresee potential misuses of the product Engineers are professionally responsible for ensuring that their products or system are safe enough before they are established. They are legally bounded through law and regulations to ensure that their designs are safe from concept through disposal. To ensure a safe design, engineers must foresee the possibilities about the misuses of the products and implement ways to minimize the cautions of product misuses by the users. By adopting a safe design approach, it is possible to design-out health and safety hazards to create a design options that meet both clients need and our obligations as an engineer.[2] 4) Safe Design must meet standard of accepted engineering practice. Accepted engineering practice is a safety issues that involve fundamental ideas about how we view the world and what we believe is important and right. A designer has a responsibility to ensure that their conceptions do not put the others on risk. They cant just create the design by simply ignore insignificant risk even it consumes lots of cost. For example, it might be less important for a small house to install lightning protection but it is a must for such a large factories or tower to do so and to meet the standard of specification.[3] 5) Safe Design must verify every final design For good engineers, they must always find alternatives about how to improve their current products to improve safety effect besides implementing new ways of design. However, after designing, the products and finished devices must be tested rigorously to see whether the products are safe and meet the specifications needed. For fresh graduate engineers, they would be expected to work under the supervision and guidance of more experienced engineers, while they gain experiences. This is very important as fresh engineer will attempt to make more mistakes as they have lack of experiences.[2] DESIGNING FOR SAFETY Safety is generally interpreted as implying a real and significant impact on risk of death, injury or damage to property. In response to perceived risks many interventions may be proposed with engineering responses and regulation being two of the most common. Better safe than sorry by Bruce Erion, President of the National Broadcast Pilots Assn, a simple but crucial for designers to bear with. One version of the process for safety design, taken from the finding of Wilcox will be thoroughly elaborated. Some of the steps are including defining the problem and generate as well as analysing several solutions before implementing the design Consideration of safety should be an integral part of the design process at the various stages. Designers should assess the design as it progresses and if any significant hazard is identified the design should be altered to eliminate the hazard where reasonably practicable, or otherwise to reduce the risk where reasonably practicable [4]. As the design progresses from concept to detail, consideration of safety issues moves from general aspects to specific aspects. The most important contribution that a designer can probably make is at the concept and early design development stages of a project when project-wide and system hazards are being considered. Another important thing that an engineer needs to consider is to minimize the inherent danger in the process as could as possible. It is good if we can excluded any potential danger in our design rather that to cope with or otherwise avoided Hence, dangerous substances or reactions are replaced by less dangerous ones, and this is preferred to using the dangerous substances in an encapsulated process[3]. Trevor Kletz said that to eliminate the hazard completely or reduce its magnitude sufficiently to eliminate the need for elaborate safety systems and procedures. Furthermore, this hazard elimination or reduction would be accomplished by means that were inherent in the process and thus permanent and inseparable from it. Here we focus on the specific area of pertaining to engineering design. We believe that engineering design constitutes an interesting starting point for ethical issues in engineering, both for educational and research purposes [3]. The first step that designer need to consider is to define the needs and requirements and often involves determining the constraints. Consideration of safety should be an integral part of the design process at the various stages. Designers should assess the design as it progresses and if any significant hazard is identified the design should be altered to eliminate the hazard where reasonably practicable, or otherwise to reduce the risk. Before some design has been done, we must consider all the pros and cons before implementing every single one. We have to recognise if there any design trade off of the products. In order to build a stadium for example, Stadium A gives a more astounding structure but less safe compared to Stadium B that is very safe but the structural design is not that remarkable. Which one will we choose to build? Here, we need to generate several solutions in order to decide the best selection to choose but as a good designer, safety is always be the main priority Hence, after several solutions have been listed with their advantages as well as disadvantages, they need to be analysed. Safer products, processes and systems will result and that ultimately benefits business and society generally, now and in the long term, because it minimises injury and illness and provides for a better social and workplace environment. This step involves determining the consequences of each design solution and determining whether it solves the problem. The aspect of the design process is connected to, or brings about possible negative consequences, for people other than the designers involved; hence it is a must for engineer to test the solution whether they are safe enough before each of product has been released. Then after completing the solution testing, the design is ready to implement. In the nutshell, safety must come first in every design to avoid any unwanted accidents in the future and subsequent criminal or civil action against us RISK-BENEFIT ANALYSIS Risk-benefit analysis is the comparison of the risk of certain cases to its related benefits in the real world. Exposure to personal risk is recognized as a normal aspect of every daily routine life in human being. We accept a certain level of risk in our lives as necessary in order to obtain some particular benefits. In most of these risks one feels as though he or she have some sort of control over the real situation. For example, driving a car is a risk most people take every day. The controlling factor appears to be their perception of their individual ability to manage the risk-creating situation. However, analysing the risk of a situation is very dependent on the individual that doing the analysis. When individuals are exposed to involuntary risk or risk which they have no control, they tend to avoid the risk that they faced. Under these conditions, the individuals will favor to have the risk to be as much as one thousand times smaller than for the same situation under their pe rceived control.[7] Let us consider the adequacy of this way of dealing with uncertainty with the help of the simple conceptual model of risk management described by Figure 1. It characterises risk management as a non-monetized form of cost-benefit analysis. Figure1: simple conceptual model of risk management The model postulates that everyone has a propensity to take risks this propensity varies from one individual to another this propensity is influenced by the potential rewards of risk taking perceptions of risk are influenced by experience of accident losses ones own and  others individual risk taking decisions represent a balancing act in which perceptions of  risk are weighed against propensity to take risk accident losses are, by definition, a consequence of taking risks; the more risks an  individual takes, the greater, on average, will be both the rewards and losses he or  she incurs.[6] To make it simple, there are three kind of risk as shown in the figure 2. Figure 2: three kinds of risks Virtual risks are products of the imagination which work upon the imagination. The less conclusive the science relating to a particular risk, the more liberated are peoples imaginations. directly perceptible risks are managed instinctively and intuitively. Science illuminates many of the connections between behaviour and consequence, sometimes so successfully that previously invisible risks become directly perceptible. However estimates of such probabilities are usually of limited value to those seeking guidance about what to do in the face of uncertainty. There are at least as many problems attaching to the probability estimates as there are to the value estimates by which they are multiplied.[6] ACCIDENT Accident is an unexpected event that will be interrupt any completion of an activity, and that may be include injury or property damage. . Work accidents can occur due to unsuitable protective clothing and gear and insufficient training or non training. Injury can also be caused by careless co- workers and poor lighting. The employers should provide safe place of working, safe system of working and safe methods of working. When the accident was investigated, the important part is to find out what is the causes of the accident. It will use as a guideline in order to prevent similar accident in the future. The objectives of the investigation accident is actually to find out the facts that can guide to take the actions and not to find the fault. The investigation of the accident can be conducted by someone who have experienced in accident causation and have experienced about investigation technique. Besides that, the person must be have a knowledgeable about the working process or condi tion, the procedures and the person involve.[1] Most of the accident happen maybe because of some human error or else. For example, when doing the investigation, the accident is occur due to the worker carelessness. The accident happen still must be to investigate if there are not involve any injury or property damage because any hazards can be corrected for in the future apply. Accident can be considered into a several type which is procedural, engineered and the systemic. For procedural accident, it is the most common happen and it will give the someone to make a bad decision or choice and will not follow the established procedures. The procedural accident are quite well to understood and can be minimize with the appropriate way for example with the given training to the workers, more supervision, and must have laws or regulations .For engineered accident, it caused by flaw in the design. Failures in the choice of material, devices not operating properly, devices or parts not operating well under all circumstances. Engineered failure should be anticipated in the design stages and should be caught and corrected during testing. However, it not always to anticipate in every condition that will be encountered, and sometimes testing doesnt occur over the entire range of possible operating condition. Engineered accident cam be understood and alleviated as more k nowledge is gain through testing and actual experienced in the field.[1] For systemic accident, it is quite hard to understand and not easy to control it. They are characteristic of every complex technologies and the complex organizations that are required to operate them. For example in airline industry which have a very complicated system that involve many working people including baggage handler, machine, pilot, and so on. In designing some project, there are so difficult to detect any systemic accident since there are many small and seemingly insignificant factor that can be considered. As the designer and engineer, we suppose to understand the complexity of the system working and try to design something which the accident occur can be minimized. CASE STUDY CASE STUDY FOR SAFETY DESIGN Case Study 1 Safe Design: Employee received electric shock while trying to adjust damaged connector linking coin operated box to photocopier. 50mm connector jutting out at 90o on side of copier unsafe workplace-equipment layout obstructing access to electrical power outlet Preventive Actions Reopen case worksite preventive / brainstorming session with staff thru process of consultation, hazard ID, risk control measures. Re-layout photocopier and book shelf Case Study 2 Safe design: Nov 2004 Exhaust fumes from diesel engine at basement got into the air conditioning intakes on Floors 4 to 7, building was evacuated. When building was first built, there was no restriction to exhaust ventilation. With development, adjacent buildings were causing environmental restriction to existing exhaust ventilation systems, creating unsafe and uncomfortable workplace environment! Corrective action: Building owner to fix Preventive Actions: Development Act LG admin controls BCA building regulations controls Building Designers responsibility Case Study 3 Safe design: Jan 2005 Maintenance worker received electric shock after coming into contact with an LIVE evaporative cooling system isolation switch filled with water. Cause: Water droplets from the filter pad splashed onto the fan-motor power cable and gradually gained entry into the conduit and switch housing through gravity feed. Safe Design Consideration: Install a 90o elbow facing downwards at the cable entry point from the inside of unit to create the lowest dip point by design. Sealing the conduit entry point with silicone rubber or equivalent may not provide a permanent  barrier. CASE STUDY FOR ACCIDENT Case Study 4: Collapse of Stadium Terengganu Image of Terengganu Stadium Collapse In 2 JUNE 2009, the Stadium of Terengganu collapse after one year of being built. It was officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan agong sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin. The roof of the stadium is named after him in Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu collapsed in early morning of 2 June 2009 and causing damage to the few cars that was park in the vicinity. Fortunately no one was injured in this accident. The frame structure of the roof of the 50,000-seat stadium came crashing down around 7.30 am and none of the stadium staff were at the premises yet. 60 percent of the roof at the stadium that was built at a cost of RM270 million and opened on 10 May 2008, collapsed, including that above the royal box at the grand stand. Overall damage was estimated at RM35mil. Meanwhile, even after the debris from the 2,500-tonne roof has been cleared, the Terengganu government is  unable to say if the stadium is safe  as the impact of the collapse is not known. Some causes of the collapse of this new stadium were identified. It is maybe because of components used and work quality did not meet the specifications; design factor was not appropriate; roof was not constructed properly; quality control was not carried out at the project site; weak supervision during the construction process; lack of skilled workers; and shortage of experts and experienced consultants. A notice has been issued to the contractor to repair the 50,000-seat Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium which is the biggest stadium in the East Coast but no response so far[9]. Case Study 5: The Crash of Valujet Flight 592 Image of Valujet Flight 592 In May 1996, Valujet Flight took off from Miami International Airport, heading for Atlanta. Theis Valujet Flight offered cheap fares to Florida and other popular destinations. It cost savings were achieved in part by hiring other companies which is Sabre Tech to perform many of the routine operations that keep an airline flying including the routine task of replacing oxygen generator canisters in some of its DC-9s. The canisters are located above the passenger seats and are used to provide oxygen to the passengers through masks should the cabin pressure somehow lost. The canisters contain a core of sodium chlorate, which is activated by a small explosive charge. This small explosion is initiated when the passenger pulls the oxygen mask toward herself. A chemical reaction within the canisters liberates oxygen, which the passenger breathes through the mask. During use, the surface temperature of the canister can be as high as 500F, which is normally not a problem, since the canister is well ventilated. To ensure that the canister will operate properly when needed, the oxygen generator canisters must be replaced periodically. Valujet maintenance rules made it clear that when the canisters are removed, a bright yellow safety cap must be installed on them to ensure that the explosive charge is not inadvertently set off. Unfortunately, Sabre Tech didnt follow this rule while performing this work. Instead, tape was applied where the caps should have been gone, and the canisters were placed in five cardboard boxes and left on a shelf in the hangar. However, two of the Sabre tech mechanics marked on the paperwork that the caps had been installed and signed off on the job. Within minutes after leaving the runway, the DC-9s electrical system started to fail and the cockpit and passengers cabin began filling with smoke. The pilots immediately called the Miami tower for permission to return and began to descend and turn back toward the airport. However, the situation becomes worsened because of fire started melting the control cables and the pilots become shrouded in smoke. The plane suddenly banked sharply and descended rapidly. The descent was so fast and causes the traffic control radar in Miami no longer able to register an altitude for the airplane. Amazingly, either through the efforts of the pilot or because the autopilot come back on, the plane becomes leveled off again. The airplane was now at only 1000 feet above the ground. The air traffic controllers in Miami radioed the pilots and attempted to send the aircraft to the closer airport at Opa Locka, Florida. Instead, the plane was rolled sharply to the right and facing nose down crashed into the Everglades. The two pilots, three flight attendants and 105 passengers on board were killed instantly in this accident. The subsequent investigation into this accident indicated that the fire was caused by the accidental firing of at least one of many chemical oxygen generators that were being carried in this plan to send back to Valujet headquarters in Atlanta. This chemical oxygen generator is the canister that had been removed from another Valujet airplane. The heat generated by this canister caused a fire in the cargo hold beneath the cockpit that ultimately brought this plane down. The investigation showed that this accident is not a flow in the airplanes design, but rather was attributed to a series of the oxygen canisters. These canisters were improperly secured and supposedly shouldnt have been on the airplane at all. One of the most important duties of an engineer is to ensure the safety of the people who will be affected by the products that he designs. As we have seen, all of the codes of ethics of the professional engineering societies stress the important of safety in the engineers duties [1][8]. CONCLUSION There are so many small insignificant factors that engineer doing that occur the accident. It may seem that the engineer has no responsibility and not alert about the law of safety and regulation. However, the engineer must understand and learn the complexity and the system that he is working on and also to be creative in determining how things can be design to avoid the accident happen again. Many of the risks can only be expressed by probabilities and no more educated guesses. Furthermore, there are synergistic effects between probabilities especially in a new and innovative design. Because of that, the engineer must design a product as safe as possible. Base on the designing for safety, the risk can minimize much more easierThe risk can minimize if the engineer spending more time to recheck the design cycle before sell it. It is because of to make sure that the product safe to use. Even though the price quite expensive, especially in the design cycle before the product has been built or is on the market, but the engineer must make sure that the product have a safety prevention and high quality. The prudent and ethical thing to do is to spend as much time and expense the design correctly so as to minimize future risk of injury and civil actions. The method to help analyze and to determine a project to proceed is risk benefit analysis. This method can summarize that the only ethical way is to implement risk-benefit by sharing the benefit between the engineer and society. As a conclusion, the product not surely 100% safe, but the engineer must design a product more effectively and follow the ethical law as a guideline.

Ecstacy :: essays research papers

Ecstacy is one of the most addictive drugs out today. Most users of this addictive drug is either at a club or on the street. "Nearly all of the first time users 30% of those have fatal effects on the user (Cranford 12)" They end up usually in a deep coma or they die. Most users want ecstacy either because they heard of the high that they get from the use, or they are trying to impress their peers. They usually get into deep side effects. Some code names for ecstacy at a club are Game High, Tasty Treat, G Squared, and BW3. Some code names for ecstacy on the street are usually Special Tab, Hidden High, Relax Tab and Rough Ride. The street version is way more potent than the club version. The one in the clubs are usually either fake or not very strong. They usually dont give out a major dose, they usually rip off the user by saying "this is the best stuff you can buy possible." Which is a major lie to the user, but he just needs that little high to calm his need of ecstacy at a low rate. Most code names vary depending where you are in the country or world. There are totally opposite names for ecstacy in new york and L.A. Some side effects after use of ecstacy are heart rate increases, blood pressure sky rockets, and usually dosent come down for a period of time. Vision come a little distorted but the user just dosent mind that, they just need a little fix for the night to have a little fun. The vision turns to about 20-75, they can still see fine, they may ocasionally see a double vision. They feel this effect as if they are really light headed or just feeling really dizzy at moments. That need of that same effect of the first time of use, usually gets that first time user hooked on the drug. They try to get a fix everytime they feel like they need a fix. That usually happens about 12-24 hrs. after each use. Thats for a periodical user. Most users dont abuse the drug to often. " The user just needs that little bit of a high and dosent abuse but likes the effects of the major high (Richardson 15)." The user likes the feel of being in a high and dosent want to come down from that. Ecstacy :: essays research papers Ecstacy is one of the most addictive drugs out today. Most users of this addictive drug is either at a club or on the street. "Nearly all of the first time users 30% of those have fatal effects on the user (Cranford 12)" They end up usually in a deep coma or they die. Most users want ecstacy either because they heard of the high that they get from the use, or they are trying to impress their peers. They usually get into deep side effects. Some code names for ecstacy at a club are Game High, Tasty Treat, G Squared, and BW3. Some code names for ecstacy on the street are usually Special Tab, Hidden High, Relax Tab and Rough Ride. The street version is way more potent than the club version. The one in the clubs are usually either fake or not very strong. They usually dont give out a major dose, they usually rip off the user by saying "this is the best stuff you can buy possible." Which is a major lie to the user, but he just needs that little high to calm his need of ecstacy at a low rate. Most code names vary depending where you are in the country or world. There are totally opposite names for ecstacy in new york and L.A. Some side effects after use of ecstacy are heart rate increases, blood pressure sky rockets, and usually dosent come down for a period of time. Vision come a little distorted but the user just dosent mind that, they just need a little fix for the night to have a little fun. The vision turns to about 20-75, they can still see fine, they may ocasionally see a double vision. They feel this effect as if they are really light headed or just feeling really dizzy at moments. That need of that same effect of the first time of use, usually gets that first time user hooked on the drug. They try to get a fix everytime they feel like they need a fix. That usually happens about 12-24 hrs. after each use. Thats for a periodical user. Most users dont abuse the drug to often. " The user just needs that little bit of a high and dosent abuse but likes the effects of the major high (Richardson 15)." The user likes the feel of being in a high and dosent want to come down from that.

Universal Design

Question 1 i) The current state and extent of universal design in the interior design practice. The 20th century had brought major social changes with respect to civil and human rights. Medical advances during this period meant that the surviving an injury or illness was far greater. Many people were living longer and the average life expectancy of people with severe impairments was increasing too. Therefore many governments in developed country responded with the introduction of equal rights and anti discrimination legislation to support this group of people especially in built environment (centre for excellent in UD, 2008).In line with that Malaysia’s government is also moving towards the same goal where the first action taken required a 1993 amendment in the Uniform building by-laws (UBBL) stated that new developments have need to incorporate universal design into the building plan. Similar action taken by the department of standards Malaysia, through SIRIM Bhd, on revising two of the existing Malaysian standards (MS) to enhance accessibility for all. They are ms 1184: 2002: code of practice for access of disabled persons to public buildings (first revision) and MS 1331: 2002: code of practice for access of disabled persons outside buildings (first revision).After all, both had been merged into a new document called universal design and accessibility in the built environment: code of practice (second revision). Those amendments and revision is applicable to new and existing buildings. Under the amended UBBL, new developers had to comply with existing standards in order to improve universal access. As far as researcher concern, as stated by leader of revising Malaysian standard Asiah (2006), the revised standards is more toward guidelines on features, from traffic islands and footpaths to door handles and taps, referenced from international universal design standards in developed countries.Which she acknowledged that it has been difficult to incorporat e the desired features within existing buildings in Malaysia, but government stressed that the buildings should at least provide basic amenities, such as ramps and toilets for the disabled, and lifts with braille buttons for the blind, as well as voice activation (Asiah, 2006). On the other hand, from researcher observation those amendments and revising law and act are mean for public spaces and institution building which directly focusing on special group of users such as disable and older people.For that reason, therefore none or less interior designer sensitive or try to utilize the established regulation in their practice due to no enforcement from government. This was happen because the regulation and standard are mean or have been set up for special group of people only such as for disable people and more widely need to be implement in the public buildings only. With this indication it showed that most designers and users are not ready to accept that accessible and usable feat ures are for everybody and they tend to see those regulation and standard are something that will add the cost of the project.With this misconception, the interior design practice is hardly to be change because designers cannot relate about design and the nature of human being. Contrary with universal design (UD) approach that have been coin by Ron Mace that in designing for users, we should assumes the wide range of human ability is ordinary, not special (Ostroff, 2001). This is because, despite of disable and older people, users especially those used the interior space are not homogenous group which consist various physical abilities (Story and Mueller, 2002).This can be view from the world statistic that population today is much more broaden from the past, where many people survived from serious illness and accident. Furthermore the declining fertility and mortality rates are higher and it contributes to the increases of the world population. Therefore this shift of demographic c hange has a multifaceted impact on the society particularly in relation of use of the interior design. On the overview of Malaysia’s statistic in year 2005, Malaysia has been classified as an ageing nation (department of statistic, Malaysia 2006). The number of elderly citizen rise to 1. 7 million (7. percent of the population) and by year 2020, Malaysia will be a mature society with 9. 5 percent of the population aged 60 and above (department of statistic, Malaysia 2000). This statistic means that 1. 4 million older people today will be more than double in their numbers in 16 years time. Those people are the â€Å"real users† and they are active person that used the interior space and demand the space to be support their daily activities through their life course. The phenomenon of changing physical abilities related to age and disabilities are something that everybody will experience during life course (Etchell and Yelding, 2004).Therefore considering diverse users i s significant in providing a better living space for all rather than segregated them. However, in interior design practice today, frequently designers are inclined to design for a stereotype of users that know as an â€Å"average people†. Which result the built environments means for users with specific ability range only that engage in specific lifestyles that prevent or limit the activities of others outside of the targeted group of inhabitants (Kreinbrook, 2007).Nevertheless until today, through researcher observation the implementation of new regulation and standard specifically in interior design is still moving slow where many interior designers does not aware about the pertinent of utilizing and incorporate UD in design practice specifically during design process in accommodating diverse users. Through researcher observation and experience all this happen because of two major reasons; firstly because there is less sensitive responsiveness related to global issue such a s on demographic change among interior designers.And the second factor is on the old school of thought in their design practice that have been pass from generation to the next generation which become a central root in designing. To be elaborate more on the first reason, researcher believed that demographic pattern is very essential for interior designer in order to understand the market demand in design. This is because from there on, the indicator of the â€Å"real users† can be established. From the â€Å"real users† indicator the solution and action during design process in creating a better living environment to all will be more sufficient and efficient in supporting their daily activities.The second reason that causes low interest on new design paradigm specifically UD is because of old school of thought among interior designer. Conventionally, designers are still generalizes users into two different groups, such as â€Å"average† and â€Å"disable† people. With this point of view, design has been divided to standard practice and special design requirement practice where the UBBL and Malaysian standard is referred. Contrary meaning of UD which strives to be a broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just people with disabilities.Moreover, UD recognizes a wide range of consumers and they try to include everyone in design. The practice of UD as stated by kose (2009) have a holistic view that when considered disable or elderly person in design, it will benefit to others group of people too. Therefore by consider diverse users in design process, the usable and accessible living environment will be increases and no one is been excluded or segregate from the system. Furthermore, as stated by Imrie (2006) none of human being can be described as an average throughout life course.This is because people are growing older everyday, they become temporary disable because of sickness, accident, broken limb, serious illness and experi ence pregnancy (Imrie, 2006). Those changing physical criteria and abilities are describing a nature of human being no one has control on that. Beside the issue discuss above, if we look at the pattern of one living space in Malaysia it probably been occupied with minimum of or at least one family member. Where the family members are consists of adult, children, and sometime been visit by their older parent or disable friend.Those indicators of various types of users are describing all of us that used the living environment. Parallel with commercial spaces too, which users and visitors are come in various size and physical abilities too. Those unexpected visitors will use the same living space and amenities with others. In view of that, researcher understood it is inflexible to consider only specific group of users during design process where the world today is heading to universal solution in design for all people.Therefore an old school of thought specifically on the categories of users is insignificant anymore in today practice. Therefore, interior design field demands a revolutionize in designing and thinking to incorporate new design paradigm such UD as part of the practice in order to have an alternative way to switch over from old school of thought to new shift of thinking that respect diverse users. A consequence of looking holistically to â€Å"diverse users† in creating interior design is very significant in challenging the interior design practice today. Therefore this research is heading to.Yet through researcher experience, many of interior designers especially in Malaysia are still unaware about the impact of demographic change to the design industry especially in interior design. sadly, as reported by Harrison and Parker (2003), this is happen because there are deeply rooted problems in the minds of those responsible for the design of the built environment, where the inclusion of people-friendly features is visualize as a necessary but no t serious attempt or late to be tacked-on in the design process that create an obstacles to utilize the living environment.In addition, base on researcher observation, there are none or few of interior designers practice in Malaysia had considered diverse users (human diversity) during design process due to lack of knowledge and support. All this happen, because of there is no enforcement and less awareness among interior designers to see the relationship of nature changing on human being related to living environment that had highly impact on user’s daily activities performance.For that reason, a new shift of design thinking and practice in interior design need to appraisal in order to support a new trend of world population that approached a crossroad where the population of older peoples and disables are increased and this scenario included Malaysia too. As a result, with this stipulation, researcher believed the definition of users in design should be extended and include s a vast and diverse range of people that need to cope with or without extreme, unusual or unique daily challenges to use the living environment.So, therefore this study tries to integrate UD in interior design process beyond the current database of anthropometric and ergonomic to comply with Malaysian law and act in built environment. The integration of UD in interior design process is more toward creating usable interior space, products, and systems that  can be used by as many people as possible at their own choice or option of the operational in interior spaces.This is because UD is a user-centered process that evolves designers and users at broaden understanding, perspectives and experience by working with the range of users in a variety of environments. For that reason by emphasizing on careful selection and placement of the design features and product guided by UD principles will encourage more â€Å"choice† and â€Å"option† to user to use the space and produ ct at their own level of physical abilities. This integration process may result as flexibility operational, and multiple alternative way or means to use the interior space that can support diverse users need.However, as stated by Guimaraes (2008) there is a challenger to include diverse users in design process because, both consumers and design professionals are not yet prepared to work continuously for development of new and more socially responsive structures. Which many active adults in the work force are still reluctant to acknowledge the impact of such issues on their lives, and they are unwilling to assign personal attention and private resources to the development of usable environments where they live, work and spend their time with their families and friends (Guimaraes, 2008).Hence, the development of usable environments per say may not be a priority for many designers too, simply because they do not perceive disability as a problem for themselves (guimaraes, 2008). For th at reason, researcher endeavor to incorporate diverse users as a main factor for UD integrated in interior design process. With that proposal it shows the significant transformation in design practice which indicates an interior design is about long term care of users rather than a short attempt at the prime time of life only.For the wrapping up, researcher concluded that the real end user can not be described either one of the group portray as an average or disable but it is the combination of population and more. As a fact of truth people are changing their physical and abilities every day due to growing older, yet their living environment are not changing toward their nature. Therefore researcher has highly motivated to pursue this research by focusing on diverse users at the early stage of designing which may result a usable living environment for all people rather than segregated them.Hence, this complex issue had motivated researcher to investigate an alternative way in design process to maximize usable of the space for diverse users that may beneficial not only to targeted group but also to others that unintended to use the same living environment. For conclusion, by include as many people as possible in design process, it will make a practical and economic sense to all regardless their age and abilities. So that the final result of living environment can be use and access by all people at the same amenities with equal comfort regardless age and abilities.Furthermore by given a variety of choice or option of use and access the design features and product in interior design everybody have equal right to use and none have been excluded accept if the physical abilities is extremely low such paralyzed. Those indication discuss above would be appropriate to be consider in design as early part as possible rather than to duplicate and separate circulation paths, vertical access, toilets and other facilities which required high cost in the projects.The bottom l ine of this research is to have all living environments that considered capable of being utilized by everyone, and necessity to provide for their differing needs simultaneously. ii) Literature evidence on the important UD theory that can improve the quality of everyday life of users. Over the last few years, the concept of universal design (UD) has become quite accepted. As a new way of thinking in design that driven from demographic trends.UD is a relatively new design paradigm that emerged from â€Å"barrier-free† or â€Å"accessible design† and â€Å"assistive technology†( Welch and Palames, 1995). The special about UD, it is differs from accessibility requirements that are usually prescriptive whereas UD is performance based (Story and Muller, 2000). Furthermore, UD does not have standards or requirements but addresses usability issues for wide range of users as possible (Horton, 2005). Rather than focus on adapting new device or support for individuals at t he later time (Horton, 2005).Therefore when designers apply UD principles in their design, the interior space and products and services meet the needs of potential users with a wide variety of characteristics (the center for universal design). Disability is just one of many characteristics that an individual might possess (Burgstahler, 2012). In addition, barrier free design and assistive technology provide a level of accessibility for people with disabilities but they also often result in separate and stigmatizing solutions for others unintended users, for example, a ramp that leads to a different entry to a building than a main stairway (Parette and Scherer, 2004).Therefore, the movement of UD strives to be a broad-spectrum solution that supports everyone, not just people with disabilities (Stainfield, 2005). Furthermore UD is assuming a growing importance new design paradigm that represents a holistic and integrated approach to design ranging in scale, for example, from product d esign to architecture and urban design, and from simple systems such as those that control the ambient environment to complex information technologies (Ostroff, 2001).As a result, UD become an approach to the design of all products and environments to be usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age, ability, or situation (Ostroff, 2001 ). The ultimate goal of UD is to serves people who are young or old, with excellent or limited abilities, in ideal or difficult circumstances (Ostroff, 2001). Therefore UD become a very significant theory that can benefit everyone by accommodating limitations of the users.As the world’s population ages, so does the demand for senior to have an appropriate living environment, facilities, outdoor environments, and products. Therefore UD has been established by many professional which have a potential to address the needs of older clients yet benefit others too (Kemp, 2002). Contrary to the negative assumption that attent ion to the needs of diverse users limits good design, the experience of imaginative designers around the world reveals the range of applications that delight the senses and lift the human spirit when UD is integral to the overall concept (Imrie, 2006).For that reason UD is assuming a growing importance design paradigm which aims at a holistic and integrated approach to design, ranging in scale from product design to architecture, and urban design on one hand, and systems controlling the ambient environment and information technology, on the other (Imrie, 2006). Even though the terminology differs from one country to another; but there are significant cultural differences in how the movement has evolved in each country, but the similarities are more apparent than the differences as they transcend national laws, policies, and practices (Kelleher.J, levesque. K, Coro. L, 2007). As stated by Steinfeld (2005) there is a confluence of factors generating the need for more universally desig ned products, environments and amenities, which includes the competitive, global nature of business today, the flourishing communications technology industry, the international disability movement, and the rapidly growing aging and disabled populations all over the world. Everyone is likely at some time to experience the misfit between themselves and their environment (Steinfeld, 2005 ).Ambient conditions or stress may create problems with using products or buildings. Togetherness on increases of aging people which become a potential for vulnerability in the environment (Demirkan, Halime, 2007). People worldwide are living longer, the aging population will double in the next 20 years (Mc neil, 1997), and a child born today has a 50% chance of living to be 100 years old. This segment of the population assumes greater societal importance due to their increasing numbers as well as the resources they consume (Baltes & Smith, 2001).Until recently, gerontological science, social policy an d health policy have focused on extending life and supporting older age in terms of a society's available resources (Baltes ; Smith, 2001). Maintaining such a focus on the older segment of the population obviously leaves a smaller percentage of resources for the remaining population (Baltes ; Smith, 2001 ). Moreover, the earlier phases of life may ultimately be the most important in terms of supporting health throughout the lifespan thereby conserving resources in later years (Baltes ; Smith, 2001).From the above literature it shows that UD is very relevant in understanding the needs of today’s users. The good point about UD is to increases usability, safety and health through the design and operation of environments, products and systems in response to the diversity of people and abilities. It is a way of thinking that can be applied in any design activity, business practice, program or service involving interaction of people with the physical, social or virtual worlds.To ac hieve UD goals, as stated by many researcher (Connell 1999, Jones 2003, Mace 1987, Mueller 2005, Mullick 2002, Ostroff 2001, Sanford, Steinfeld 2001, Story 2001, and Vanderheiden 2004) these are some attention that need to be include in design process to increase the quality of users life in prime time and the future too: Attention on users:- i. body fit – accommodating a wide a range of body sizes and abilities ii. comfort – keeping demands within desirable limits of strength and stamina iii. wareness – insuring that critical information for use is easily perceived iv. understanding – making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear and unambiguous v. social integration – treating all groups with dignity and respect vi. personalization – incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences vii. cultural appropriateness – respecting and reinforcing positive cultural values need some in put. The pract ice of UD is contextual.There are no absolute levels of performance since each project context determines what can be achieved. It is a continuous improvement process. The practice of UD can take place regardless of constraints or the level of technology available. Thus, the success of each application has to be evaluated by comparison to prevailing norms rather than against an absolute standard. iii) Literature gaps that lead to enhance the UD application for the future of the interior design practice.In the last decades, there was a growth in the number of the elderly population and disabled people. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the world total will be more than one billion aged 60 or over by the year 2025 (Marshall et al 2004). Furthermore, the needs and demand of the diverse population, who are children, pregnant, adult and disable vary considerably. Yet, as per today the growing awareness among the designers to satisfy the needs of the diversified users are sti ll lack in demand (Marshall et al 2004).This is because as stated by Guimaraes, (2008) many active adults around the world are still reluctant to acknowledge the impact of physical built environment issues related to their daily lives. As stated by medical doctor Marill,(2010) natural changes in cells of human being may slow down or alter people capacity which most people will experience it when they reach their peak functioning at around age 30. As a result users at this prime age and above are at the top of their stamina of their physical body where they are generally can used all the design features in the interior space with less barrier.Although some operational of existing design features required high physical effort and crucial concentration with more energy requested, no one dare to report it as a problem because they force themselves to performance as their abilities at the peak function. Those users rather take their chance to used the existing design features with fair o bstacles rather express their personal attention because they do not want to be label as â€Å"older people† or â€Å"disable† in their surrounding where they live, work and spend their time with their families and friends Guimaraes, (2008).With that, therefore researcher believed a new technique to comprehend users needs is to understand the human diversity by include diverse users during design process in order to support them in built environment. For that reason it is a need to find an alternative approach in design in supporting a new trend of the population in line to sustain them in their chosen environment as their lifespan. From there on, this study will try to fill in the gap by integrate Universal Design (UD) at the early stage of designing, articularly during design process, which may turn design to be inclusive rather than exclusive for all. UD have ultimate input in this study because the idea behind UD is to create products and services that can be usabl e for people of all ages and various physical abilities (story, 2001). The attractiveness of UD as stated by Guimaraes (2008) is beyond the normal product it has been recognized as consumer products, where everything that is designed to be used by people are part of the UD.The unique of UD comes with seven principles that easily to be translated into the design practice (Story, 2001). These Seven Principles guide the designers and users by emphasizing the characteristic of more usable product and environment while providing a framework for the systematic evaluation of new or existing designs (Story, 2001). Furthermore, as stated by Iwarsson (2003) application of UD principles is more emphasizes on integration of accessibility and usability features from the onset, removing any stigma and resulting in social inclusion of the broadest diversity of users (Story, 2001).Therefore researcher strongly comprehend that UD is significant to be part of design process because it is truly a cohe rent theory that focuses on the ease of use of design features in the living environment for all. Even though there is an argument that UD cannot fulfill all people needs one hundred percent, but as stated by Congvinton (2000) UD can help to reduce physical barrier of built environment by given option and flexible on use and access for those who have physical abilities.In today life the society can no longer relegate the wheelchair user crippled, legless, mute or deaf people, because they are part of the society and we are also part of them. Therefore as stated by Iwarsson (2003) by designing for diverse users as possible, a design is no longer special and no longer identifies the users as different and all of us apart from each other and can share all the facilities provided in built environment without segregation.To achieve the goal, according to Guimaraes (2008) the content of legislation need to progress worldwide towards a broader definition of the population who could benefit from the development of ‘user-friendly’ environments, i. e. , environments that are responsive to users’ varied abilities. As per today the notions of accessibility and usability of built environments have expanded the definition of disability beyond the medical view regarding lack of personal capacity for the undertaking of certain activities in built environment (Guimaraes, 2008).However, in design practices today, the main focuses of usable living environment are still remained on the needs of people with permanent disabilities only. Contrary on the increased of the proportion of able body people who experience temporary disabilities due to age and life accident that have been not counted to be part of users that need usable living environment. Therefore Guimaraes (2008) has stated that there is a strong correlation between age and disability, where the older people are the more likely to become disabled as they aged.With the literature discussed, it showed t hat as the average age of number of people increases, most widely the number of people will benefit from UD will boost up (Guimaraes, 2008). Guimaraes (2008) also stated that as people get older they still want to remain active and well adjusted in their own house, local communities, while accessing public buildings and outdoor spaces. This has driven demand for better usable features in built environments. Moreover, recognizing disability as part of everyone’s issues with the design of built environments requires a fundamental transformation in the way societies have dealt with (Guimaraes, 2008).For that reason creating opportunities for each individual, despite disabilities, to live and participate to their full potential is one of the pertinent in this study. As a result, creating UD from the early stage of design is more cost effective than adaptation at a later stage, meaning that there are also strong economic arguments for building more inclusive environments (Steinfel d, 2005), Therefore, this study is heading to, since many literatures showed that UD had proven it successful applied in developed country to minimize physical barrier of built environment.However in Malaysia, the awareness of the benefit of UD from professionals just started to nurture. Therefore the implementations are still slow due to no enforcement from government and lack of the knowledge to incorporate in design. For that reason, this study attempt to look into the design practice on how UD can be integrates during design process at the fundamental level to increase the usable of the space and to assist ID for better understanding on diverse users iv) Research questions and Research objectives. Research questionsRQ: How can Universal Design Principles be integrate in interior design process in accommodating diverse users in Malaysia? Research objectives R. O: To integrate Universal Design principles in interior design process to accommodate diverse users in Malaysia. Referenc es: Asiah, 2006. Keperluan pengguna dan rekabentuk bangunan untuk warga tua di Malyasia. Pusat Penyelidikan, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, edisi pertama 2006. Burgstahler, S. 2012. Equal access: Universal design of instruction. Seattle: DO-IT University of Washington. www. uw. edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/equal_access_udi. tml Baltes, P. B. , ; Smith, J. (2001). Multilevel and systemic analyses of old age: Theoretical and empirical evidence for a fourth age. In V. L. Bengtson ; K. W. Schaie (Eds. ), Handbook of theories of aging (pp. 153-173). New York: Springer. Center for Excellent Universal design, 2008. Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach. http://www. universaldesign. ie/ Department of Statistic, Malaysia. (2006) External Trade Statistics. Demirkan, Halime. (2007) Housing For The Ageing Population. European Review of Ageing Physical Activity Journal. Volume4. (4:33-38) Etchell .L and Yelding. D, 2004. Inclusive design: products for all consumers Consumer Policy R eview. volume 14 †¢ number 6 Guimaraes M. P. 2008, a holistic approach in Universal Design practice. In Avancos e Desafios na Construcao de uma Sociedade Inclusiva. R. Correa (edt). Belo Horizonte: PUC-MG,. Pp 88-104 Horton S, 2005. The Universal Usability site houses an unabridged, online version of Access by Design: A Guide to Universal Usability for Web Designers, by published in 2005 Harrison, J. D. ; Parker, K. J. 1998. Getting it right: Housing design for an ageing society in a changing world.Housing Science, 32(4), 273-283. Imrie, R. , 2006. Independent Lives and the Relevance of Lifetime Homes. Disability and Society,. 21, No. 4(June 2006): p. 15. Iwarsson, S. (2003). Accessibility, usability, and universal design – Positioning and definition of concepts describing person-environment relationships. Disability and Rehabilitation, 25, 57-66. Kreinbrook . A T (2007). A Barrier-free Paradigm for Interdependent Living. M. Arch. , University of Maryland, College Park, 2007, 148 pages; AAT 1450195 Kose, Satoshi. (2009). How can the exploding senior population be accommodated?Japanese struggle towards inclusive design. Journal of Engineering Design, Nov. 2009 Kelleher. Jennifer, Kassie levesque, Linda Coro. (2007). Universal Accessibility: study of the marketplace. Center for Community Inclusive and Disability Studies. The University of Maine. Kemp, J 2002. , â€Å"Foreword,† in Building a World Fit for People: Designers with Disabilities at Work, E. Ostroff, M. Limont, and D. Hunter (eds. ), Boston: Adaptive Environments, 2002. Mace R. 1985, Universal Design, Barrier-free Environments for Everyone. Los Angeles , CA: Designers West. McNeil, J. M. 1997.Americans with disabilities: 1994-95. US Bureau of the Census Current Population Reports, P70-61. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office Marshall, A. L. , Chetwynd, A. , Morris, J. , et al. 2004. Type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood: a matched case control study in Lancashire and Cumbri a, UK. Diabet Med,. 21: 1035-1040. Marill. M. C, 2010. Is This Normal Aging or Not? Pain or sudden changes need a closer look. WebMD Feature. Ostroff, E. (2001). Universal design: The new paradigm. In Universal design handbook, edited by W. F. E. Preiser and E. Ostroff, 1. 3-2. 1.New York: Mc Graw-Hill. Parette. P, Scherer. M, Technology Use and Stigma. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 2004, 39(3), 217–226 Division on Developmenta Disabilities. Story, M. F. and Mueller, J. , (2002) Universal Design Performance Measures for Products: A Tool for Assessing Universal Usability, in Emerging and Accessible Telecommunications, Information and Healthcare Technologies (pp. 19-28, RESNA Press, Arlington). Story, MF, Mueller, JL, Montoya-Weiss, M, ; Ringholz D (2000). Progress in the development of universal design performance measures.Technology for the new millennium: Proceedings of the RESNA '00 annual conference, pp. 132 134. Steinfeld, E. , et. al. (2005). The Anthropometrics of Disability. Buffalo: Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental Access State University of New York at Buffalo. Story, M. F. (2001). Principles Of Universal Design. In W. F. E. Preiser & E. Welch, P. and Palames, C. 1995. A brief history of disability rights legislation in the United States. In Welch, P. (Ed. ),  Strategies for teaching universal design. Boston, MA: Adaptive Environments Center. Question 2 i. The theory/theories that guide the study.Derived from literature review, theoretical basis of this research come from a broad view of Human-centered design theory. The principles underlying human-centered design range across discipline, from community design, to architectural design, to interior design, industrial design, and design of communication venues. In this research, Human-Centered Design is focuses on the physical abilities and needs of the human user to enable them to be function at the highest level possible in their living space. It includes pr oducts and aspects of the physical environment that meet the needs and abilities of the users in interior design.For this study, utilizing research findings and data on physical abilities and limitations of users related to social needs will provide a new concept of living-environment solutions that enable all users to function at their highest capacity regardless of age and ability. According to the Institute for Human Centered Design (HCD), Universal Design (UD) has a parallel design movement with HCD that offers a similar framework for design problem-solving based on the core value of environmental responsibility. Therefore this study, attempt to adopt UD as main design theory in finding a new solution in interior design to accommodates diverse ser in Malaysia. UD is a term that was first used in the United States by Ron Mace (1985). UD is not a trend but an enduring design approach that assumes the range of human ability is ordinary, not special (Ostroff, 2001). According to Mac e`s definition of UD is â€Å"means simply designing all products, buildings and exterior spaces to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible† (Mace, 1988). For that reason, Convington (1997) stated that UD is intended to be inclusive not exclusive. Therefore, researcher agreed with many researchers that everyone should have an equal access and use the built environment at any level of their life.Even though some users may or are facing limitation or difficult during life course, but it is not impossible task for them to live in the same living environment if UD had been included from the beginning of designing (Ostroff, 2001). For the purpose of this study, UD can be describe as a design theory that increases usability, through the design and operation of environments, products and systems in response to the diversity of people and abilities. The adopted of UD in this research is because of the holistic of definition that focusing on human interaction with buil t environment at the fundamental level.This can be portrayed in seven principles of UD that have been developed by professional and scholar with logic and realistic guideline in design (Sandhu, 2001). The UD principles are the theory base that leads to the practice. Below are the seven principles of UD that have been established definition criteria by Center for UD North Carolina (1997) and will be a baseline for research framework in this study. Principle| Definition | 1| Equitable use| A feature is designed to be useful to and accessible by people with diverse abilities. Provide the same means of use for all people; identical whenever possible, equivalent when not. 2| Flexibility in use| A feature is designed to accommodate a wide range of individual abilities. Provide choice in methods of use. | 3| Simple and intuitive| A feature is designed in a straightforward and predictable manner, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level . Eliminate unnecessary complexity. | 4| Perceptible information| A feature is designed so that necessary information is communicated effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's abilities. 5| Tolerance for error| A feature minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. | 6| Low physical effort| A feature is designed to minimize nonessential physical effort in order to allow maximum attention and can be used efficiently with minimum of fatigue. | 7| Size and space for approach and use| A feature is designed with consideration for appropriate size and space for approach, reach, manipulations, and use regardless of a user's body size, posture, mobility, and communication needs. |From the Table above, researcher plan to synthesize and adopt all the seven principles of UD to be integrate in interior design process. This is because through researcher critical reading and analysis of all the established criteria of seven prin ciples they are significant recitation of theory of usability which mean, in order to develop usable living space those seven criteria is vital to be consider in design process. Apart from that, researcher plan to expand these seven principles as operational variables that focusing on selecting and placement of the design features in living environment related to user’s daily activities.The extension of the UD principles can be overview as a parameter to set up the minimum usable and accessible design features that tolerate an option and choice to use the design features and product in living environment. As a result, researcher forecast to utilize UD principles at the fundamental level in design process. To do so, this research will only focusing on the basic design features and product in interior design that directly use by users to start their daily activities without needs any high technology involve.From there on, researcher anticipate that a synthesis on established cr itical area and product in interior design from others scholar that most reported by users who facing difficulties or barrier through their life course will be a baseline of the study. Therefore, researcher assumed with understanding the integration of UD principles in interior design process, the living environment will result no or less advance technology or device added and the most vital is without compromises the aesthetical value f the living environment. To achieve the goal of the study, researcher foresee that a sensitivity and awareness on knowledge of selecting and placement of design features and product guided by theory of UD related to usable space for diverse users among interior designers are significant for future development of usable living environment for all. ii. The theoretical development of UD framework that your study will use for application in the interior design field.The roots of universal design (UD) can be traced to pioneering by architect name Ron Mace (1941-1998), who first envisioned a design concept guaranteeing the greatest access and usability to all, regardless of age or ability, while maintaining aesthetic appeal (Center for UD, 1997). This theory is based on the premise that design of products and environments must be usable by all people, in the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design (Center for UD, 1997).In 1980s Mace was particularly responding to the lacks of adequate barrier-free architecture to meet the needs of the physically handicapped. Yet, even then, Mace (1988) had a much broader application in mind, that all spaces, features and aspects of all things should be designed to be usable by all people of all ages and abilities. As a result, the intent of the UD is more toward simplify life for everyone by making more usable and accessible design features that give an option or choice to users to use and access their environment at their own preferable way (Center for UD (199 7).UD also has been developed because of significant on the achievement in the past century of enhanced health and subsequent longevity. A new dimension of the cycle of provision has presented a heightened challenge for people of all ages. According to Sandhu (2001), there are many trends in society and global markets that clearly justify the need for actions regarding disable and older people. Below are the previous concepts that accommodate people in relation to their special needs referring to UD handbook (2001): * Ergonomics: originated at the end of World War II.Upon analyzing military objectives, their successes and failures, scientists finally realized human beings needed to be taken into account in the design process of machinery and equipment, to increase their effectiveness. Ergonomics has since developed into a science concerning itself with human beings and how people function in conjunction with a variety of equipment, products, methods and circumstances. Professional e rgonomists consider a wide range of factors when offering guidance to ensure products or services is safe, easy to use, and efficient.Physical attributes such as size, weight, height, strength, skill, speed, and sensory abilities, along with thermal comfort, motion, vibration, posture and workload are analyzed, in an effort to increase performance, prolong endurance and to reduce accidents. As a summarize, ergonomics encompasses all human activity and relies on research and data of a wide variety of disciplines including Anthropometry, Engineering, Biomechanics, Environmental Physics, Body Systems, Physiology, Applied Psychology and Social Psychology.Ergonomists work to improve the quality of users’ lives, increase users safety and enhance performance by providing solutions for workstations, tools, equipment, protective wear, cleanliness and worker well-being. As a result, ergonomic concept only focuses on how to help management to identify hazardous conditions, provide train ing, analyze data, establish prevention control measures and evaluate progress as a whole rather than utilize it in daily life activities for diverse users. Barrier-free design: Was developed during the Civil Rights and Disability Rights Movements by those trying to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities. Physical barriers were recognized as a hindrance to a person’s freedom. Barrier-free designs today are influence in policies, design practices and law through the standardization of codes for access to the built environment. Although barrier-free design is part of the practice and law but the record of workplace injuries is still continue to increase.This result showed that the effectiveness of the barrier free design is still doubtful. All this happen because of it predominantly a disability-focused movement only that removing architectural barriers through the building codes and regulations. As a result barrier free design is about removing physical barrie r follow the Code and Regulation stated in federal legislation nevertheless UD is extended version of barrier free design that looking more detail on providing usable environment to largest population. Assistive Technology: Is technology that focused on designing or creating personal use devices or tools, utilized by individuals and help or compensates one with disability to function. Assistive technology essentially follows the medical model of disability where products or spaces are designed primarily to provide for people with special needs or with disabilities. Assistive technology is a personal preferable device and more on implies the development of high cost and design mainly for use within institutionalized setting, such as hospital or public housing or care center (Newell, 2003).Therefore it is less favorable to be included in personal space because of the institutional look and sometime become barrier to unintended users. As reported by Mace, Hardie and Place (1991) the di sable community are sometimes frustrated with assistive technology device because of the lack of commercially available products, misconceptions of disability, and attitudinal barriers often fostered by specialized and stigmatizing design solution.This is because of there is no prime practice that focus to create usable environment for all that included everybody rather than segregated design. Therefore the revolution and UD movement take part and started to be developed. For that reason, UD concept is referred to â€Å"lifespan† design that understands on spectrum of human abilities (Center for UD 1997) which contrary to the accessible and barrier free design that has a tendency to separate facilities in relation to different users needs (Steinfeld 1994).Even though UD is a new movement in design theory, but UD is actually an extension of accessible design, barrier free design and inclusive design which the goal of UD is to extend usable and accessible environment to the lar gest population possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design (Steinfeld 1994). According to Johnson (2008), UD is making its way into the collective consciousness, spurred on by the needs of ageing population. The concept of UD in built environment is originated from United Stated of America and other countries such as United Kingdom, Australia and Japan (Roennfeldt, 2003).UD is also known by different phrase covers a range of interpretation in different country, which is often used interchangeably, and overlapping but the objective or the goal of UD originally meant the same, to encompass all users, including elderly and disable people in the overall general population (Hasono, 2004). The accepted phrases that have been used internationally are design-for-all, trangenerational design, design for the broader average or design for the â€Å"non-average†.Others similar concept and share same objective of UD that have been used worldwide, for instance ‘L ife Span Dwelling’ in Norway, ‘Adaptable Housing and Flexible Housing’ in the United Kingdom, ‘Life Time Home and Easy Adaptable House’ in Sweden, and ‘Elderly Dwelling’ in Denmark (Kose 2009). Even though most residential designed with the UD concept are called differently in various countries but the objective or the goal of UD originally meant the same. According to Hasono (2004), UD phrase is still an alternative and preferable way of expressions to describe design for all included older people and the disable.Therefore the phrase of UD is ultimately use in this research, which described one solution that fit all people in built environment as they grow older. One of the most obvious UD succeed was reported by Steinfield (2005) is because of expression on usable features is invisible on the product or environment; its aesthetic qualities remains, yet its usefulness is maintained. In addition, UD goes beyond minimum access codes and s tandards, to design environments that are comfortably usable and accessible by people from childhood into their oldest years (Nasar, J.L. ; Evans-Cowley, J, 2007). It is contrary to the negative assumption that attention to the needs of diverse user limits good design (Ostroff, 2001). Although UD may well be true to support diverse users with good design, it is important to see the successful of UD in western countries beyond the life style and culture too. This would appear to be supported by Kato (2007), in Japan, where UD has been effectively utilized by Japanese in their daily life activities without compromising their culture, way of living and climate.Kato (2007) added that successful implementation of UD in Japan was due to the characteristics and features of UD that are visible in the product. The way designers from Japan incorporating the idea of UD through carefully selected and placed differently of the UD features at the house components and products was the main rationa le of success in applying UD in Japan (Kato, 2007). Moreover, Imrie (2006) had stated UD concept in housing grew out of the recognition to simplify daily activity by considering basic needs of users; on how user access or use or operate the product or space.Imrie (2006) described daily activities such as people walk in and out the house, transfer around the house, use and reach some fixtures and products in house are main activities for people before they start other daily activities such as bathing, cooking, eating and sleeping. As a result, the daily activities described are very important and common activities for all people in all over the world regardless their culture, language and knowledge.Therefore researcher had concluded the most common activities that every single people will performance in pursuing their daily activities are summarized as below: * Able to get in and out the house easily * Able to get through the doorway * Able to move around the space * And able to reac h and use all the equipment Furthermore, those common activities described above will be a main parameter in this research. Many research findings reveal that the highest environmental problems such as falls among older people occur in the toilet, bathroom and kitchens.Even though the research finding says so, through researcher observation and confirm with previous study done by Mansor (2008), indicated that barrier and obstacles in the area mention above are in fact started with the used of unplanned and unusable design features of building components and products. The verification of above statement possibly can be interpreted as an evidence that by looking critically on how users transfer themselves into the toilet (using door features: door handle, door frame, floor finishes at door frame and etc) are seldom recorded.If the door features are usable and accessible such as no threshold or no changing level at the floor of the toilet, it will give less or no barrier to user to pas s through and to continue their daily activities such as bathing and others (Mansor, 2008). The indication of this part of the analysis led to the conclusion that design features in interior design components and products through detail selection and proper placement may minimize the barrier and obstacles in living environment.In the scenario described above, it can be attributed to shows that if the door does not permit users to access it easily, it also hinders users to continue others daily activities. Therefore with this reviewed, researcher has set the limitation of the study in the direction to micro understanding of design features rather than focus to macro view of area or spaces in order to create accessible and usable space to all. With that statement, researcher has full confidence that UD can be successfully applied in Malaysia too, without the need to compromise the look of the physical living environment or even the culture.This is because, as stated by Johnson (2008) UD concept is not a new science, style, or unique in anyway but it requires only an awareness of needs and it is a realistic approach to making everything that is designed and produced are usable and accessible by everyone to the greatest extent. Johnson (2008) added, the application of UD involves minor changes on the placement and selection of the design features in living environment for example on size, choice of operation, or the way in which the user must interact with the design.With that, It is significant to shows that UD is not an added features or device in interior design but it is more toward on improvement or upgrading the existing features to be more easy to use and access by all regardless of culture, language and knowledge. From the conceptual of UD described above, researcher anticipated that integrating UD principles in interior design process will be a significant result in accommodating diverse users in Malaysia. iii. Theoretical framework to explain the potenti al of integrating UD during the interior design process.To illustrate the development of theoretical framework in this study, researcher will segregate the key operational variables into three divisions as follow: a) Universal Design i) Universal design Principles ii) Usable design features b) Interior Design i) Design process ii) Regulation and Standard c) Integrated UD process i) Selection and placement of Design features ii) Interior Design Intervention iii) Usable and Visitable interior space Flow chart for theoretical framework The development theoretical framework to show the potential of integrating UD can be clarified as follow:The main body knowledge of the study become as showed above is Interior design and Universal Design. From the construct of each body knowledge, researcher attempt to focus only on design process and UD principles. From the center focus determine above researcher will explore the components or features that most pertinent in each part such the most com ponents requirement during design process is regulation and standard apply in the process together with human database that guided designer to provide an appropriate measurement in design. For the UD principles, expert and cholar from center for UD North Carolina has established seven principles related to usable and accessible design features theory that have been accepted worldwide. From the above components and features researcher will scrutinize both to comprehend the integration. From the integration process researcher will identify the appropriate method how to put it into the practice. As a result, through literature review and researcher experience the best modus operandi to integrate both body-knowledge is through considerate on selection and placement of usable design features in interior design process.To perform the modus operandi described above, researcher has identified four interior interventions that most reported generate some obstacles to the users in their daily activities. Those interventions related to daily activities can be illustrated as follow: Entrance features An entrance is made up of several components: * Actual door * Interior and exterior floor/ ground area in the immediate proximity of the door * Threshold * Door hardware (door handle) The entrance features in this research is about the main access or passageway for the purpose of get in and out the building.An entrance features includes door and size of the opening, floor features, threshold, and the hardware of the entry door such as the door handle. Those features are important to determine whether users can use and access easily or with fairly obstacles or with major barrier that permit them from getting in and out the house at their preferred abilities, to start perform others daily activities. Internal Door features * Door width * Floor features between the door * Threshold * Door hardware (door handle)Internal door can be described as a main opening component on the wall that provides access to interior spaces. The features to be analyzed are the characteristics of the door component such as door handle, door width, opening operation of the door (in or out swing) and floor features between the door and the threshold. Those listed features are directly contact in user’s daily activities such as to relocating themselves from one space to another space to perform daily activities. Vertical circulation: StaircaseIncluded all components at the staircase: * Design of the staircase * Railing size and design * Handrail size and design Vertical circulation is more on studying the staircase features that consist of handrails, railing features and staircase design. This is because staircase is the main building component that connects two different levels of the spaces in the building (please disregard on technology such as lift and escalator because this study only focused on fundamental design features in interior design).Therefore by understanding s taircase components features described above related to nature of use by human will be significant to support them in reposition from different level of the interior spaces. Electrical power point Contents with several electrical devices: * Electrical switches (location and proportion) * Electrical socket (location and proportion) The components of electrical power point in this research are limited to electrical switches and socket terminals specifically focused on location or position and proportion of height in interior design.These design features of electrical power points are important because in today life, human activities depends a lots on electrical devices to support their needs and activities. Those electrical power points are components that are used daily in a interior design space to pursue daily activities such as switching on and off the lights, computers and television for entertainment and also for cooking purposes and etc. 1. Main body-knowledge: Universal Design Principles Universal Design in this research goes far beyond removal barrier issues.UD in this study is more toward physical access and use of the interior space where interior design is not simply an obstacle to be negotiated. UD is more related to user’s interaction with many different features in the living environment and product use that often user rely on it when in the interior space. Therefore researcher concludes that UD principles is pertinent in interior design to give an idea and as guidance for creating usable and accessible living environment in supporting diverse users in Malaysia 2. Main body-knowledge: Interior designInterior design field known as one of architecture division that addresses large and complex issues related to interior space planning and the end users. Research has stated that 90 percent of human activities take place in the interior space (ASID 2007). With that finding it showed that interior design become a very important part in human live to move forward in daily activities. As refer to America Society of Interior Design (ASID) interior designer is a profession that required a holistically understands about the end users in creating a living environments that support their daily activities.For that reason, researcher foresees the end users should be a central focus of the creation in interior design. This is because; users have direct connected with the built environment where they should feel trouble-free to use and access the interior space. A fundamental goal of interior design is generally to make a space that is both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, often catered specifically to the needs of users. Interior Design is the imaginative blend of art and science in the design of environments or people that involve the adaptation of natural and human-made environments. In general Interior design engages both in public and private buildings or spaces. Historically, interior design was reserved primarily for roy alty and the aristocracy. Now, in the modern world, Interior Design is known as a line of work that give a total creative solution for interior spaces through conceptual planning, aesthetic value and technical solutions related to human needs.But through researcher experience and observation many interior practices in Malaysia, are enthusiastic in showing their design creativity through style, fashion, furnishing and advance technology which the practicality of the living space related to end users was attend after the whole conceptual phase completed and normally was assign to the technical person such as assistant designer or draughtsman to complete the job. As a result, the interior space that supposes to be as a conducive living space to support users in daily activities becomes a space of appreciation only, because it is good to be used.Therefore a new shift of thinking to bring interior design beyond of the definition as an added value in architecture need to put away. Althoug h the ultimate design goal of interior design is to enhancement the space, renovation