Universal Design

Based on PPT and lecture notes

Principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable Use

2. Flexibility in Use

3. Simple & Intuitive

4. Perceptible Information

5. Tolerance for Error

6. Low Physical Effort

7. Appropriate Size and Space for Approach

1. Equitable Use

• accommodates a wide variety of preferences and diverse abilities

• identical use vs. equitable use

• appealing to all users - minimizes stigmatizing those with varying abilities. Important features work for everyone

  • anybody & everybody with varying abilities

  • ex. automatic sliding doors

2. Flexibility in Use

• the design is forgiving and allows a wide range of individual preferences & abilties

• accommodates a range of methods

• hand preference is not a factor

• timing is flexible

• facilitates accuracy & precision

• ex. table that has space for anyone to be at, wheelchair accessible

3. Simple & Intuitive

• design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level

• information is arranged according to importance

• effective prompting & feedback

• Norman door

  • gender neutral bathroom

  • instructions are visual with no words, just pictures

4. Perceptible Information

• design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level

• information is arranged according to importance

• effective prompting & feedback

  • green means good

  • red means bad

  • yellow is caution

  • Principle 3 and 4 go hand in hand

5. Tolerance for Error

• hazards or unintentional errors are minimized by the design - warnings for errors

• discourages unconscious action when vigilance is required

• most used choices more accessible, more dangerous ones harder to access

  • blind spot side mirror blinking

  • lane departure signal

  • check rear seats

  • spell check

6. Low Physical Effort

• the design ca be used efficiently, comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue

• low need for repetitive movements

• neutral body posture

• reasonable force

  • touch lamp, motion sensor

  • automatic sink

  • wave and door opens

  • voice to text

  • garage door lift mechanism

7. Appropriate size and space for approach

• provides 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 & grip size

• provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assitance

• design can be used efficiently

  • lower toilets

  • varying height of sink for people

  • water fountain height differences

Universal Design: Environment

• buildings

• s

Universal Design: Services

• transportation

Universal Design: Technology

• phones

• websites

T or F? Universal design is a concept or design philosophy. It is NOT a law

T

T or F? Some ideas of UD are similar to ADA access laws.

T