Institute of Human-Centred Design

The Institute for Human Centered Design, formerly known as Adaptive Environments (AE), was founded in 1978 by Elaine Ostroff and Cora Beth Able. In earlier years, it had a focus on helping families and communities solve practical problems of the design of places. It engaged designers in the work and taught design students the power of design to shape social equity. Since 1996, IHCD has been home to the New England ADA Center, one of 10 regional ADA Centers comprising the ADA National Network which provided information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).IHCD provides education and consultation about best practices that go beyond legal requirements to design places, things, communication and policy that promote design that works for everyone across the spectrum of ability and age and enhances human experience.