Incorporating universal design into post-conflict/disaster situations with long-term perspective is particularly important as it (ironically) opens up opportunities for reconstructing infrastructure that lends itself to a more inclusive process, including using principles of universal design. Unfortunately, planners often miss the opportunities and recreate the inequitable status quo. In the massive reconstruction efforts in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch, for instance, not one foreign donor stipulated that accessibility codes be applied, although this would have required little or no additional cost. As a result, entire towns, including schools, were rebuilt that perpetuated inaccessible designs, and therefore, continue to be barriers to people with disabilities and others.
Not incorporating universal design will pose an extra economic and social burden to the country, as it excludes large numbers of people with disabilities and others from productive activities. For instance, if schools are not rebuilt in a way that allows children with disabilities (both those who were previously disabled and the newly disabled) to attend school, this sends a damaging message to the child and places limitations on his or her entire life. The long-term costs are high, since a child who is prevented from going to school is far less likely to find employment and contribute directly to the national or local economy and will thus require lifetime assistance from the state or his or her family.
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