Abstract
The aim of this special issue is to examine environments and settings that are, could or should be shared by all. The main focus of the reflections is on the design of the everyday-life environment in relation to accessibility to and receptivity for all, including old or disabled people. The reflections start with everyday-life objects and extend to larger environmental scales: homes, buildings, public transports, public places, urban environments, and even virtual environments such as Internet.<br />Following this perspective, which is focused on public and common everyday environments, the approach is rather thought as complementary to than competing with an ergonomic approach focused on the design of technical aid. Specifically, the adopted perspective intends to complement the individual compensation approach in paying an increased attention to collective environments and universal design approach. <br />The papers will examine different aspects and features of the physical environment that are likely to interact with the person's cognitive, sensorial or motor disabilities in the shaping of those person-environment relationships. A particular attention will be given to those features of the physical environment that are likely to facilitate or hinder social relationships, and thus, contribute to the characterization of the social contexts as inclusive or exclusive. Among these features, an important concern will be the characteristics of the physical environment that increase or reduce the disabled people's autonomy. The design of objects and places can modulate--either improving or restricting--the mobility and activities of a person with disabilities, and subsequently affects both their self-esteem and their social relationships, especially in collective and public settings. Further, the perceived and effective autonomy can have an incidence on the social representations of the disabled people and can contribute to social stigmatization. <br />Environmental approaches should be involved in the reflections leading to policies taking a better account of the rights as well as improving the quality of life and the social integration of people with disabilities.