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Ronald L. Mace, FAIA Design Pioneer and Visionary of Universal Design.

Raleigh, NC--Ron Mace, nationally and internationally recognized architect and industrial designer, died at his home in Raleigh on Monday. He was a design pioneer and the visionary responsible for the concept of universal design, a belief that good design addresses the needs of all people, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1941, Ron contracted polio at the age of nine. He grew up in Winston-Salem, NC and graduated from the School of Design at NC State University in 1966 with a Bachelor's degree in architecture. After four years of practicing conventional architecture, Ron became involved in the effort to produce the first building code for accessibility in the nation. This code became mandatory in North Carolina in 1973 and served as a model for other states. Ron's pioneering work in accessible design was instrumental in the passage of national legislation prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Ron was President of Barrier Free Environments, Inc., and Principal of BFE Architecture, P.A. in Raleigh. He was also Research Professor in the Architecture Department at the School of Design at NC State University. In 1989, he established the federally-funded Center for Accessible Housing, later renamed the Center for Universal Design, at the School of Design, NC State University. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and received the Distinguished service in promoting dignity, equality, independence and employment of people with disabilities.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Lockhart Follin-Mace, the former Executive Director of the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities who died in 1991. He is survived by his life-partner, Joy Weeber, and close personal friend, Leslie Young, both of Raleigh, and his nephew William H. Mace III and his wife, Deborah Brown Mace of Winston-Salem, NC.

A service in the style of a Friends (Quaker) meeting will be held on Friday, July 3 at 2 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on St. Mary's Street in Raleigh. A reception will immediately follow at The Center for Universal Design at 219 Oberlin Road. A memorial service will be held July 19, 1998 in the Grand Ballroom in the Talley Student Center at NC State University. A national memorial service is being planned for early August in Washington, DC. Contributions may be made to the Ronald L. Mace Memorial Fund to further Ron's vision for the future, c/o The Center for Universal Design, Box 8613, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8613.  
 

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