Barrier-Free World
Universal Design is intended to make an environment as open and useful to as many
people as possible without having to make adaptations. Therefore it should be equally
accessible to a young child as it is to a foreign visitor as it is to a person with a disability.
For example, the universal signage that is common on most washroom doors to identify
female versus male washrooms can be understood by a child who cannot read, a
person speaking a language other than English, a person with low vision, and a person
with a learning disability.
Universal Design isn't necessarily about accessibility, but it does help promote it. After
all, how many of us benefit by automatic door openers or curb cuts? Yet, designers
must always be aware that what is done for one group, may take away from another.
Curb cuts are a good example of this. They make it easier for a person pushing a baby
stroller or someone using a wheelchair to transition from the sidewalk down the street
level, but they also make it difficult for a person who is blind who is relying on a tactile
cue of when they reach the street's edge to keep them from walking into oncoming traffic.
According the North Carolina State University's Center for Universal Design,
there are 7 principles of Universal Design. They are:
Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. There is a financial
benefit to the consumer and supplier of products and services that meet a wide variety
of people's needs. In addition, as we create more accessible spaces, the use of
Universal Design will apply to a wider group of individuals, regardless of their ability.
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. For
example, your ability to open or use an item with your left or right hand is helpful
depending on which is your dominant side. But it is also helpful if you lose the use of
one side of your body (permanent or temporary) without having to purchase additional
products or appliances.
Principle 3: Simple & Intuitive
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of
ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. The use of diagrams rather than
written text reduces the differences of understanding written language, or for people with
low vision who may find it difficult to read typed text. How many of us use the "righty
tight, lefty loosy" rhyme in remembering the direction to turn a tap or a lid to open or
close it -- consistency in design principles.
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of
ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. Large font and/or raised lettering are
helpful in low light conditions. Also, the raised dot on the number 5 of most cell phones
help identify hand placement without having to look at the dial pad.
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or
unintended actions. The "undo" option on a computer, or a prompt that asks, "are you
sure?" before moving to the next step in the action provides protection against
accidental consequences. They are not fool-proof, but do provide an added step of
security.
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
Lever style handles or door knobs can be used to open a door without grasping or
turning. It also allows for a person to use a different body part, for example, use an
elbow to operate rather than a hand.
Principle 7: Size & Space for Approachable Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use
regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. For example, providing sufficient
floor space for a person to maneuver his/her wheelchair to use a pay telephone.
people as possible without having to make adaptations. Therefore it should be equally
accessible to a young child as it is to a foreign visitor as it is to a person with a disability.
For example, the universal signage that is common on most washroom doors to identify
female versus male washrooms can be understood by a child who cannot read, a
person speaking a language other than English, a person with low vision, and a person
with a learning disability.
Universal Design isn't necessarily about accessibility, but it does help promote it. After
all, how many of us benefit by automatic door openers or curb cuts? Yet, designers
must always be aware that what is done for one group, may take away from another.
Curb cuts are a good example of this. They make it easier for a person pushing a baby
stroller or someone using a wheelchair to transition from the sidewalk down the street
level, but they also make it difficult for a person who is blind who is relying on a tactile
cue of when they reach the street's edge to keep them from walking into oncoming traffic.
According the North Carolina State University's Center for Universal Design,
there are 7 principles of Universal Design. They are:
Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. There is a financial
benefit to the consumer and supplier of products and services that meet a wide variety
of people's needs. In addition, as we create more accessible spaces, the use of
Universal Design will apply to a wider group of individuals, regardless of their ability.
- Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible;
equivalent when not.
- Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.
- Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users.
- Make the design appealing to all users.
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. For
example, your ability to open or use an item with your left or right hand is helpful
depending on which is your dominant side. But it is also helpful if you lose the use of
one side of your body (permanent or temporary) without having to purchase additional
products or appliances.
- Provide choice in methods of use.
- Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.
- Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.
- Provide adaptability to the user's pace.
Principle 3: Simple & Intuitive
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of
ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. The use of diagrams rather than
written text reduces the differences of understanding written language, or for people with
low vision who may find it difficult to read typed text. How many of us use the "righty
tight, lefty loosy" rhyme in remembering the direction to turn a tap or a lid to open or
close it -- consistency in design principles.
- Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
- Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.
- Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.
- Arrange information consistent with its importance.
- Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of
ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. Large font and/or raised lettering are
helpful in low light conditions. Also, the raised dot on the number 5 of most cell phones
help identify hand placement without having to look at the dial pad.
- Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of
essential information.
- Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.
- Maximize "legibility" of essential information.
- Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give
instructions or directions).
- Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with
sensory limitations.
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or
unintended actions. The "undo" option on a computer, or a prompt that asks, "are you
sure?" before moving to the next step in the action provides protection against
accidental consequences. They are not fool-proof, but do provide an added step of
security.
- Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most
accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.
- Provide warnings of hazards and errors.
- Provide fail safe features, such as "reset".
- Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
Lever style handles or door knobs can be used to open a door without grasping or
turning. It also allows for a person to use a different body part, for example, use an
elbow to operate rather than a hand.
- Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.
- Use reasonable operating forces.
- Minimize repetitive actions.
- Minimize sustained physical effort
Principle 7: Size & Space for Approachable Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use
regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. For example, providing sufficient
floor space for a person to maneuver his/her wheelchair to use a pay telephone.
- Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.
- Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.
- Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.
- Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.
| Universal Design |
| We are continuously updating this site. If you have suggestions or questions please email us at info@sterlingfrazer.com |
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| Follow this link to view the North Carolina State University's Center for Universal Design (click here). |