Universal Access/Universal Design

Origins of Universal Design

The concept of UD developed in part because of a growing population of senior citizens and the mainstreaming of people with disabilities. As a result of the civil rights movement, legislation like the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 mandated that builders had to remove barriers in order to allow all people access to public buildings. During the 1970s, [Page 1338]as architects started building ramps and installing other accessible features (e.g., lever handle doorknobs, wider doors and hallways, and larger bathroom stalls), they realized that these modifications helped people with and without disabilities and that, economically, it was more beneficial to include them in new designs rather than add them later.

Ron Mace at North Carolina State University coined the term universal design. At age 9, Mace contracted polio and used a wheelchair. After getting a degree in architecture, Mace decided to focus on building homes that everyone could get into, regardless of their ability. Eventually, others adopted Mace's view, and architects, engineers, product designers, and various other researchers developed a set of principles in order to ensure buildings and products were made in such a way to ensure a wide variety of people could use them.

Seven Principles of Universal Design

Equitable use. The design must be able to be used By a diverse population. For example, automatic doors allow people who use wheelchairs easy access to buildings and rooms, but they are also helpful to parents pushing strollers, people with their hands full and anyone else who goes through them.

Flexibility in use. The design accommodates varying abilities and preferences. Many elevator buttons are low so people in wheelchairs can use them, and they are marked with Braille, so people with visual impairments can read the labels next to the buttons. Some elevators announce the floors when the doors open. These options allow people with a range of abilities to ride on elevators.

Simple and intuitive use. The product or design must be easy to understand, regardless of the user's language level or ability to concentrate, and it should be intuitive to use. A Web site designed with clear text headings or universally recognized symbols, the ability to change text size, and content written on a lower reading level are good examples. Adjustable text size allows people with low vision to read more easily and people with fine motor impairments to click on links more easily.

Perceptible information. Information is conveyed so that users of all abilities can access and understand it. For instance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) directions in public settings are written in language that is easy to understand and have clear pictures to enhance understanding. Trains and buses announce stops audibly as well as visually.

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