The 4^th Universal Design Competition officially began on May 7^th. The event is sponsored by the Free Universe Education Foundation and co-sponsored by Taipei City Government’s Department of Urban Development. We welcome designs by creative artists that will help create more user-friendly kitchens.

This year’s theme is Kitchen Activity. The kitchen is an important place in our everyday lives, but accidents occur while we are cooking or washing the dishes. The purpose of this year’s contest is to create tools that will make life in the kitchen more safe, convenient and fun.

Taiwan is an aging society. Activity that we may take for granted, such as walking down stairs, or using the bathroom or kitchen, can be dangerous for the elderly and children. The Universal Design contest promotes the considerate design of items we use in our everyday lives.

Taipei City Government Department of Urban Development Director Ding says that universal design is a priority of their department. In 2008, they published the Taipei Residential Space Universal Design Guidelines. This year, they will publish a Taipei Residential Space Universal Design Manual, which will contain guidelines and design checklists.

This year’s contest officially began on May 7, 2009 2pm at a press conference held at Jen-ai Road Section 4, No. 258 11F. For details, visit http://www.ud.org.tw (Free Universe Education Foundation)or http://udd.taipei.gov.tw (Taipei City Government Department of Urban Development)and http://housing.taipei.gov.tw/ (Taipei Housing Service Desk)