Universal design, which is related to "inclusive design" and "design for all," is an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. It links directly to the political concept of an inclusive society and its importance has been recognised by governments, business and industry.

Universal design is a relatively new paradigm that emerged from "barrier-free" or "accessible design" and "assistive technology." Barrier free design and assitive technology provide a level of accessibility for people with disabilities but they also often result in separate and stigmatizing solutions, for example, a ramp that leads to a different entry to a building than a main stairway. Universal design strives to be a broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just people with disabilities. Moreover, it recognizes the importance of how things look. For example, while built up handles are a way to make utensils more usable for people with gripping limitations, the Oxo Good Grips line of products introduced larger, easy to grip and attractive handles as feature of mass producted utensils. They appeal to a wide range of consumers.

As life expectancy rises and modern medicine has increases the survival rate of those with significant injuries, illnesses and birth defects, there is a growing interest in universal design. There are many industries in which universal design is having strong market penetration but there are many others in which it has not yet been adopted to any great extent.

Universal design is a part of everyday living and is all around us. The "undo" command in most software products is a good example. Color-contrast dishware with steep sides that assist those with visual problems as well as those with dexterity problems are another. Additional examples include cabinets with pull-out shelves, kitchen counters at several heights to accommodate different tasks and postures and low floor buses that kneel and are equipped with ramps rather than lifts.

The Principles of Universal Design

"The authors, a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers, collaborated to establish the following Principles of Universal Design to guide a wide range of design disciplines including environments, products, and communications." - (http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm)

1. Equitable use
2. Flexibility in use
3. Simple and intuitive
4. Perceptible information
5. Tolerance for error
6. Low physical effort
7. Size and space for approach and use

(from the Center for Universal Design)

These principles are broader than that of accessible design.

Examples

• Smooth ground surfaces of entranceways, without stairs
• Wide interior doors and hallways
• Lever handles for opening doors rather than twisting knobs
• Light switches with large flat panels rather than small toggle switches
• Buttons on control panels that can be distinguished by touch
• Bright and appropriate lighting, particularly task lighting
• Auditory output redundant with information on visual displays
• Visual output redundant with information in auditory output
• Contrast controls on visual output
• Use of meaningful icons as well as text labels
• Clear lines of sight (to reduce dependence on sound)
• Volume controls on auditory output
• Speed controls on auditory output
• Choice of language on speech output

Design standards

In October 2003, representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea met in Beijing and agreed to set up a committee to define common design standards for a wide range of products and services that are easy to understand and use. Their goal is to publish a standard in 2004 which covers, among other areas, standards on containers and wrappings of household goods (based on a proposal from experts in Japan), and standardization of signs for public facilities, a subject of particular interest to China as it prepares to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission have developed:

• Guide 71 Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities (abstract only - fee for entire text)

These standards are still under development:

• ISO 20282-1 – Ease of operation of everyday products — Part 1: Context of use and user characteristics
• ISO 20282-2 – Ease of operation of everyday products — Part 2: Test method

See also

• Accessibility
• Ergonomics
• Industrial design
• Marc Harrison
• Usability
• Universal Usability
• Canada – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2004
• US – Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• US – Section 508 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• UK – Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005

External links

• The Centre for HCI Design is London's largest HCI-related research group, City University, School of Informatics
• The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA), University at Buffalo, State University of New York
• Trace Research and Development Center
• Center for Universal Design (1997). The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University." These principles were compiled by Bettye Rose Connell, Mike Jones, Ron Mace, Jim Mueller, Abir Mullick, Elaine Ostroff, Jon Sanford, Ed Steinfeld, Molly Story, and Gregg Vanderheiden.
• Universal Design Centre at Sheridan
• Adaptive Environments
• AARP Home Design
• Univeral design examples – PBS' Freedom Machines film
• Design Council Inclusive Design Design Council UK's one stop shop information resource on inclusive design.
• The Include Programme supports people working to make inclusive (universal) design a reality.
• The Helen Hamlyn Research Centre research in inclusive design
• The Cambridge Engineering Design Centre research in inclusive design
• RSA Inclusive Design Inclusive Design best practice database which covers environments, products, services and communication.
• Universal Design in Practice (UDiP) UDiP is a research project to investigate the influences of universal design resources toward universal design practices.
• http://www.design-for-all.org EIDD website explains the history and philosophy of Design for All
• Universal Design Education Online This site supports educators and students in their teaching and study of universal design.
• Universal Design Living Laboratory A National Model Home incorporating Universal Design, Green Building, Healthy Home Concepts and Accessible Gardens being built in Columbus, Ohio
• ^* Singapore's code on Barrier-Free Accessibility

Architectural theory | Design | Disability

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