Universal Design Toolkit

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is a powerful, internationally known speaker, author, consultant, publisher, and president of Rossetti Enterprises Inc. www.RosemarieSpeaks.com She acquired a spinal cord injury on June 13, 1998 while riding her bicycle when a 7,000 pound tree fell on her. As a person who uses a wheelchair, she knows firsthand the benefits of accessible and universal design. Rossetti and her husband, Mark Leder led a design team, built and live in the Universal Design Living Laboratory, the national demonstration home and garden in Columbus, Ohio. www.udll.com This is the highest rated universal design home in North America earning three national certifications: Livable Design, ZeroStep and Life-Flex. The home received a Silver rating certification on the LEED for Homes program from the U. S. Green Building Council, and earned a Gold rating certification on the National Green Building Standard program. The home is certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Rossetti is a keynote speaker at national conferences and events. Her live and virtual webinar presentations help people integrate universal design and green building features into their projects. Rossetti delivers programs on the topic of universal design and green building, entitled "How To Use Universal Design To Increase Your Business" and "Turning Green Building Practices Into Profits." She consults with consumers, builders, remodelers, Realtors, architects, interiors designers, developers, and occupational therapists that want to create inspired and livable new and remodeled homes. Rossetti created and delivered a universal design and green building day-long accredited course for architects and interior designers, Designing Sustainable Homes that Make Life Easier. Rossetti was certified as a course instructor for the National Association of Home Builder's Universal Design/Build course. She is a Certified Living in Place Professional. Rossetti's "Accessible Home" monthly column was published from March 2006 - June 2011 in Action Magazine, a national publication of the United Spinal Association. Her articles about designing homes have appeared in numerous national publications. She is a member of the National Home Safety and Modification Work Group, as part of National Council on Aging's National Falls Prevention Resource Center. Rossetti was a member of the AARP national coalition on universal design, and the Ohio visitability strategy group to improve the availability of visitable homes in Ohio. She is on the advisory panel of the Living in Place Institute. As a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University from 1986 - 1997, Rossetti taught courses in public speaking, teaching methodology, and marketing. All of her degrees were earned at The Ohio State University. She earned her Ph.D. in 1982 majoring in agricultural education. In 1979 she received her Master's degree in agricultural education. In 1975, she had a dual major in agricultural education and horticulture for her Bachelor of Science degree.