UNIVERSAL DESIGN
 Universal Design is a quality-assurance approach to barrier free design that is "…usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design" [1]. It seeks integrated design that provides benefits to all users, while providing specific cross-benefit to those who need a usable environment.
Developed in 1997, the Principles of Universal Design are a collaborative effort between the Center for Universal Design and a consensus-based group of researchers, architects and other practitioners. The accessibility requirements of the current Americans with Disabilities Act and model building codes were based on a limited range of human scale concepts that were originally developed in 1972. These accessibility standards and guidelines do not address the broad range of needs of people who are born into their disabilities, become disabled through disease or accident, or those who age into their disabilities
Likewise, these older standards and guidelines do not address the needs of those who assist individuals with disabilities, or the everyday needs of the general population.
Universal Design's "big idea" is the concept of cross-utilization and mutual benefit.
- Accessible design benefits those whom are otherwise not considered as an individual with a disability, such as:
- Individuals with temporary injuries or illnesses
- Individuals who are aging into disability
- Individuals who with low stamina or strength
- Children and people of smaller stature than norm
- All uses for the inherent safety that comes with accessibility
These are examples of Universal Design applications.
- Ramps in lieu of stairs benefit:
- Parents with strollers
- Employees with hand trucks or carts
- Deaf individuals whom are signing to one another while walking
- All users through inherent safety of avoiding single steps and stairs
- Powered door operators benefit:
- Individuals carrying packages or other articles
- Employees or shoppers with hand trucks and carts
- Elderly or children who do not have upper body strength
- Security and environmental conditions through positively closing and latching the door
- Low reception counters benefit:
- Children
- People of small stature
- All uses in that it is more welcoming and less formal
- Pictogram signs and accessible signage systems benefit:
- Individuals who use English as a second language or are not fluent in English language
- Individuals with low quality vision
- All users as a uniform way-finding and identification system
- All users under low light conditions
- Unisex "Family" toilets benefit:
- Individuals with disability who need access to a lavatory while toileting for purposes of personal hygiene
- Opposite sex care-givers assisting the individual with a disability
- A parent with a child of the opposite sex
Universal Design is defined by seven principles [2]. The seven principles are applicable to all facets of primary life-functions and not just mobility. The principles may be applied to "…evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments". The application of the principles is meant to be flexible in that all the guidelines may not be relevant to specific design issue or to all designs.
PRINCIPLE ONE – Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
Guidelines:
- 1a. Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible, equivalent when not.
- 1b. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.
- 1c. Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users.
- 1d. Make the design appealing to all users.
PRINCIPLE TWO – Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
Guidelines:
- 2a. Provide choice in methods of use.
- 2b. Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.
- 2c. Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.
- 2d. Provide adaptability to the user's pace.
PRINCIPLE THREE – Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Guidelines:
- 3a. Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
- 3b. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.
- 3c. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.
- 3d. Arrange information consistent with its importance.
- 3e. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
PRINCIPLE FOUR – Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
Guidelines:
- 4a. Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.
- 4b. Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.
- 4c. Maximize "legibility" of essential information.
- 4d. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions).
- 4e. Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.
PRINCIPLE FIVE – Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
Guidelines:
- 5a. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.
- 5b. Provide warnings of hazards and errors.
- 5c. Provide fail safe features.
- 5d. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.
PRINCIPLE SIX – Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
Guidelines:
- 6a. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.
- 6b. Use reasonable operating forces.
- 6c. Minimize repetitive actions.
- 6d. Minimize sustained physical effort.
PRINCIPLE SEVEN – Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
Guidelines:
- 7a. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.
- 7b. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.
- 7c. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.
- 7d. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.
Endnotes:
[1] Ron Mace.
[2] The Principles of Universal Design were conceived and developed by The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. Use or application of the Principles in any form by an individual or organization is separate and distinct from the Principles and does not constitute or imply acceptance or endorsement by The Center for Universal Design of the use or application.
Additional Resources:
Division of the State Architect (DSA) Universal Design web page
DSA California Access Compliance Reference Manual
- John Paul Scott
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