April 2000 [<<] LIVING LARGE—OR SMALL—WITH AD-AS Gary Davis embraces the differences among all people. As business developer for AD-AS, a maker of furniture products for healthcare, education and consumer markets, Davis hails his company's understanding of universal design. Davis explains, "We make products for all of humanity, taking into account the tremendous variation of all people. For example, our most innovative product is a motorized counter system, which raises a kitchen counter between 28 inches and 36 inches. A fascia also provides knee space and toe space for wheelchair users. This height adjustment makes the product convenient for everybody. According to Davis, this design philosophy enables AD-AS to reach it's goals, "We strive to make quality accessible furniture products to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. We have a line of health care furniture consisting of group therapy tables, treatment tables and hand therapy tables, and a line of home kitchen products that are used also in facilities," he explains. "We distribute products through all major health care rehab provider catalogs, and many large facilities use the counter for rehab training and integrate ADLs into patient care." Davis shares the most rewarding aspect of working at AD-AS, "It's definitely when we have interaction with end users," he says. "When we hear from people with disabilities that they love our products, it's so rewarding. One of our customers, whose daughter has muscular dystrophy, told us she loves the height-adjustable desk that he got for her to use at home. It's something the whole family can use-which is what universal design is all about."