James Schmeling, managing director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University and executive director of the Global Universal Design Commission, will travel to São Paulo, Brazil through Oct. 28 to present on Universal Design (UD) in the civil construction industry. His presentation is part of the International Meeting on Technology and Innovation for Persons with Disabilities.
Schmeling’s panel is moderated by Irene Borges Rizzo, product development manager for housing and urban development for the São Paulo State Government, Brazil. Panelists include Schmeling; José Antonio Juncà , general director, SOCYTEC SL, Madrid, Spain; Marcelo de Andrade Roméro, professor and director, Architecture and Urbanism College, FAU-USP, São Paulo; and Silvana Cambiaghi, architect, Permanent Commission on Accessibility, São Paulo.
Now in its third year, the International Meeting on Technology and Innovation for Persons with Disabilities is the organization, coordination and realization of activities toward the diffusion of assistive and innovative technologies. The main objective of the meeting is to discuss to what extent UD principles are influencing Brazilian enterprises in their process of technology innovation to the development, manufacturing and commercialization of products and services, considering, in addition to persons with disabilities, the needs of other society’s segments working to build a more inclusive world.
Schmeling’s trip will also focus on exploring business opportunities in Latin America related to UD, assistive devices and technologies for people with disabilities, including wounded veterans, and sharing information about the IVMF and its capacity to assist international organizations with focused activities related to veterans and their families.
“IVMF is in a unique position to both learn from what is happening on the international stage that may benefit wounded warriors and their families, and to engage our collaborative research network to solve problems faced by veterans and their families,” says Schmeling. “These issues are not unique to the United States, and many organizations and experts are addressing the needs of our stakeholders. Collaboration benefits everyone and I look forward to learning and sharing.”
